New AFP deputy chief of staff installed

By Jaime Laude

The Philippine Star, Sunday, March 20, 2011

A senior Navy officer was installed yesterday as the Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for Civil Military Operations, a key military position left vacant, as a result of the continuing changes triggered by the recent reteriment of AFP chief and now Immigration Commisioner Ricardo David.

In a simple turn-over rites, Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez, commander of the Navy’s Fleet-Marine Ready Force, assumed command of the AFP’s J-7, from its outgoing J-7 commander, Brig. Gen. Nonato Alfredo Peralta Jr.

Peralta was literally kicked up following his official designation as the new superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) replacing Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon who retired from the military service March 11.

The Philippine Navy has already recommended four names of senior officers to choose who among them would replace Rodriguez as commander of the Navy’s fighting force.

“The AFP welcomes Commodore Rodriguez as its 39th deputy chief of staff for Civil Military Operations,” AFP Public Information Office chief, Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said.

Rodriguez was a member of the PMA Class of 1980. Aside from being designated as commander of the Navy Fleet-Marine Ready Force, he has commanded several Navy ships.

He is also aholder of Public Management and Law degrees from the University of the Philippines and Baguio Colleges Foundation, and a recipient of awards and decorations to include numerous military merit medals and the Gold Cross Medal.

In his assumption speech, after being installed by Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on behalf of AFP chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban, Rodriguez vowed that he will do his best so that his new position will become an instrument of peace and will focus his command efforts on the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan.

Leyte, Bohol placed under state of calamity

By Mario J Mallari

The Daily Tribune, Saturday, March 19, 2011

The provinces of Leyte and Bohol were placed under the state of calamity after massive flooding hit the areas due to continuous heavy rains in the Visayas region that already claimed the lives of nine persons.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the two additional fatalities came from Leyte and Bohol provinces where widespread flooding was reported, prompting local officials to declare state of calamity.

Reports from the NDRRMC identified the two latest fatalities as 65-year-old Armando Buticarlo, who died of drowning in Bohol, and Leo Espina, of Palo, Leyte who was electrocuted.

The NDRRMC said that some 3,130 families or 15,398 people from Bohol, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Misamis Oriental, and South Cotabato.

Of these numbers, 2,878 families or 14,138 people have been evacuated.

Last Thursday, a landslide buried alive seven members of a family in Barangay Cabalawan, Tacloban City, they were couple Marlon and Jenita Jordan, both 35, and their children Marieta, 16; Angelica, 14; John Paul, 13; John Rey, 4; and Heyrex, 3.

NDRRMC executive director and Office of the Civil Defense Administrator Benito Ramos said that local disaster management councils are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further rise in casualty figures.

In a related development, the Navy reported yesterday the rescue of 80 residents in two barangays in Palo, Leyte at the height of heavy rains and strong winds since last Wednesday.

Naval Forces Central Command, through its Naval Station Dioscoro Papa, based in Tacloban City dispatched a team of Disaster Rescue and Response Unit after report of massive floods from the provincial coordinating council.

Last Wednesday evening, the Navy team rescued 19 children and seven adults from Barangay San Antonio, Palo town and brought the victims to an evacuation center.

The following day, at about 6 a.m., the Navy team proceeded to Barangay Cangumbang and rescued an infant, 29 children, and 24 adults. Among those rescued was a woman who just gave birth.

Noy to choose AFP deputy chief of staff

By Mario J Mallari

The Daily Tribune, Saturday, March 19, 2011

The military’s Board of Generals (BoG) has already submitted its recommendation to the Commander in Chief, President Aquino, for the appointment of the deputy chief of staff (TDCS) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines vacated by newly installed AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr.

Oban said that the BOG’s recommendation was submitted for the approval of the President.

“That would be dependent on the approval of the President. We already have recommended the full time deputy chief of staff and it will have to go through the process,” said Oban as he refused to reveal the names of those short-listed by the BOG.

Reliable sources, however, said that Navy Fleet commander Rear Admiral Luis Alano is among the strongest contender for the number three post of the AFP.

Alano is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1979 where Oban also belonged.

A battle-tested Navy officer Alano was appointed Navy Fleet commander late last year after serving to various command and administrative positions in the military. He led the successful Navy operation against a group of rogue Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels who sow terror in an island-town in Masbate also last year.

Meanwhile, AFP deputy chief of staff for operations or J3 Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista was tapped as acting TDCS while awaiting the President’s approval.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said that as the most senior J-staff, Bautista was named as acting TDCS.

“J3 (Bautista) has been designated acting TDCS while higher authorities are still in the process of formally designating one for the position. Selection of key positions in the AFP goes through a tedious process where merits, professional competence and service reputation are among the criteria,” said Mabanta.

Mabanta said that Bautista will remain acting TDCS until the President makes his choice for the AFP’s number three position.

Akyat, Gapang, Talon

By Jonas Sulit

Abante, Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Ito ang naransan nang mga sumabaksa isang pagsasanay ang mga babaeng bagong recruit ng Philippine Marines sa kanilang Marine base camp sa Ternate, Cavite. Ayon sa nasabing pamunuan, dumadami na ang mga kababaihang pumapasaok sa kanilang hanay sa ngayon.