Navy, Marine show strength in exercise

By Ben O Tesiorna

Sunstar Davao, Friday, 28 January 2011

PANTUKAN, Compostela Valley -- A military exercise conducted by the Philippine Navy in the idyllic coastal Barangay of Kingking here drew more than a thousand spectators as the military showcased their latest sea vessels as well as the capability of the Marine soldiers and the elite Navy Seals.

Commodore Philip Cacayan of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) said the Fleet-Marine exercise dubbed as "Exercise Pagsisikap 11" is designed to test, evaluate and enhance the capability of their units in conducting Fleet-Marine operations.

Thursday's exercise was participated in by a Navy patrol ship, two patrol gunboats, two multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), Navy Seals with fast patrol boats and a company from the 1st Marine Brigade.

A Navy Islander aircraft and a Huey helicopter were also utilized during the military exercise.

The MPACs were recently bought by the Philippine Navy at an estimated value of P75 million each. They presently have three MPACs and three more are scheduled for delivery thru the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization program.

MPACs is expected to boost the Navy's special operations and in other emergency situations. It will also enhance the Navy's conduct of maritime operations.

MPAC can transport limited number of personnel and equipment at a high speed of 40 knots and can be deployed to areas during emergencies to deliver the much-needed services to far-flung areas around the country.

Cacayan said the coastal town of Pantukan was chosen as the ideal site for their exercise because of its proximity to the NFEM headquarters in Panacan, Davao City.

"Compostela Valley is also one of the provinces, which has not been visited by the Navy before so we have chosen that area to let the local residents know that they have a Navy that can help them in their quest for peace and development in their area," Cacayan said.

An American mining firm is also set to operate in the mountainous area of Pantukan this year fuelling speculations that the military exercise could be a show of force to assure the American company of the security of their operations in the area.

Militant organizations also claimed that American military personnel are involved in the naval exercise. Commodore Cacayan denied this though saying that the exercise was initially scheduled in 2010 but due to their numerous activities they moved it to January 27, 2011.

Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, chief of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, meanwhile congratulated the Philippine Navy for their exemplary show of wares and skills.

"It's the best exercise I have seen for many years. A clear manifestation that the Navy and the Marines can secure use anytime of the day," Tabaquero said.

Businessman and 705th Squadron Naval Reserve Command Capt. Marfenio Tan also expressed satisfaction on the capability of the Philippine Navy. He said they will also be conducting another exercise in General Santos dubbed as "Exercise Sikat."

The local government of Pantukan, led by Mayor Tok Sarenas was also present to witness the naval exercise. Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy also sent his gratitude to the Philippine Navy for choosing his province as the venue of the exercise.

Navy to conduct Fleet Exercise

Sunstar, Wednesday, 26 January 2011

The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) Command will conduct a Fleet-Marine Exercise this week to enhance their troop capability.

Dubbed as "Exercise Pagsisikap 2011", in an opening ceremony Tuesday at Naval Station Felix Apolinario Panacan, this city, Commodore Philip L. Cacayan, Commander of NFEM, said the exercise has been conceptualized to enhance the fleet-marine amphibious capability of NFEM in support to the internal security operations of Eastern Mindanao Command.

Cacayan said the exercise aims to test and evaluate the "interoperability of fleet and marine units" with other services operating in a maritime environment against enemy threats.

Cacayan added that the exercise would also show people that the navy is capable enough and ready to serve the public in their best way.

Major General Rustico Guerrero, Commandant of Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), also assured the public in doing their best in training its men, as keeping their capabilities and abilities to provide security on the community.

Guerrero said as part of the contribution of the PMC, the corps will also establish a Warfighting and Lessons Learned Center this year, which will analyze all after battle and operation reports accumulated throughout its service.

Cacayan said the exercise will be compose of staff exercise, series of at sea serials, tactical maneuvers, maritime surveillance exercise, visit board search and seizure of a Philippine Navy auxiliary reserve unit vessel, amphibious raid, multi-purpose assault craft capability demonstration, and fleet-marine review.

"We have different scenario in our exercise in which dito masusubukan kung ano yung reaction ng ating mga sundalo, sailors, and marines," Guerrero said.

Naval exercise draws thousands in Pantukan

By: Ben O. Tesiorna
CNN iReport, Thursday, 27 January 2011

PANTUKAN, Compostela Valley – A military exercise of the Philippine Navy held in this idyllic coastal barangay of Kingking drew more than a thousand spectators as the military showcased their latest sea vessels as well as the capability of their Marine soldiers and the elite Navy Seals.

Commodore Philip Cacayan of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao said the Fleet-Marine exercise dubbed as Exercise Pagsisikap 11 is designed to test, evaluate and enhance the capability of their units in conducting Fleet-Marine operations.

Thursday’s exercise was participated in by a Navy patrol ship, two patrol gunboats, two multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), Navy Seals with fast patrol boats and company from the 1^st Marine Brigade. A Navy Islander aircraft and a Huey helicopter were also utilized during the military exercise.

The MPACs were recently bought by the Philippine Navy at an estimated value of P75 million each. They presently have three MPACs and three more are scheduled to be bought thru the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.

MPACs is expected to boost the Navy’s special operations and in other emergency situations. It will also enhance the Navy’s conduct of maritime operations. MPAC can transport limited number of personnel and equipment at a high speed of 40 knots and can be deployed to areas during emergencies to deliver the much-needed services to far-flung areas around the country.

Commodore Cacayan said the coastal town of Pantukan was chosen as the ideal site for their exercise because of its proximity to the NFEM headquarters in Panacan, Davao City.

“Compostela Valley is also one of the provinces which has not been visited by the Navy before so we have chosen that area to let the local residents know that they have a Navy that can help them in their quest for peace and development in their area,” Cacayan said.

An American mining firm is also set to operate in the mountainous area of Pantukan this year fuelling speculations that the military exercise could be a show of force to assure the American company of the security of their operations in the area.

Militant organizations also claimed that American military personnel are involved in the naval exercise. Commodore Cacayan denied this though saying that the exercise was initially scheduled in 2010 but due to their numerous activities they moved it to January 27, 2011.

AFP Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero meanwhile congratulated the Philippine Navy for their exemplary show of wares and skills.

“It’s the best exercise I have seen for many years. A clear manifestation that the Navy and the Marines can secure use anytime of the day,” Tabaquero said.

Businessman and 705^th Squadron Naval Reserve Command Capt. Marfinio Tan also expressed satisfaction on the capability of the Philippine Navy. He said they will also be conducting another exercise in General Santos dubbed as Exercise Sikat.

The local government of Pantukan led by Mayor Tok Sarenas was also present to witness the naval exercise. Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy also sent his gratitude to the Philippine Navy for choosing his province as the venue of their military exercise. BOT

Philippine Navy eyeing coast guard boat purchase from US

The China Post, Monday, January 24, 2011

The Philippine Navy on Sunday said it was in talks with the United States government to buy a secondhand coast guard cutter to upgrade its ageing fleet.

Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama said the 380-feet (115 meter) Hamilton class vessel, which he did not name, would significantly boost Manila's capability to patrol its archipelago.

“We are actively discussing with the U.S. government the possible acquisition of the Hamilton class,” he said.

“We need this to boost security in our exclusive economic zone.”

Pama said the Hamilton class cutters are the biggest vessels used by the U.S. coast guard, with the exception of heavy ice breakers.

The vessel was expected to arrive in Manila in the first half of the year, replacing the navy's flagship BRP Raja Humabon, a Cannon-class destroyer escort which is probably one of the world's oldest war ships, the Filipino navy said.

Equipped with a retractable hangar, a helicopter flight deck and powered by a dual engine or gas turbines, the Hamilton cutter is described as a high endurance cutter with close-in weapons systems.

Pama said he could not disclose exact figures for the purchase, which he described as the first of several being planned.

The Philippines is considered a non-NATO military ally by the United States, which has been sending troops to the impoverished country for training missions to help crush al-Qaida-linked militants in its troubled south.

The Philippine armed forces is considered by many experts as among the weakest in the Asian region, but President Benigno Aquino vowed to modernize it shortly after assuming his post in June last year.

The China Post