Navy cracks down on Chinese poachers

Abs-Cbn News, Friday, April 1, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Navy authorities on Thursday vowed to seek long jail terms for six Chinese caught poaching fish and sea turtles, as part of a crackdown against foreigners stealing marine wildlife.

The head of a multi-agency taskforce against illegal entrants, Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, said he planned to take a hardline stance against all foreign poachers, unlike previous officials who allowed them to be released.

"We will be pursuing the harshest penalty as demanded by law. We will be fighting for the conviction of these apprehended poachers," Sabban told AFP.

In previous cases of Chinese fishermen caught illegally in Philippine waters, the Chinese embassy often successfully lobbied for the release of its nationals, much to the anger of local environmental groups.

But Sabban, who took over in August last year as head of the taskforce that includes the police and military, said he would push hard for the latest batch of nabbed Chinese to be jailed.

"I don't know what happened in previous cases but I would like to assure everybody that we will take action differently," he said.

The Chinese fishermen were arrested off the western island of Palawan on March 24 with their catch of fish and sea turtles, regional police head Chief Superintendent Antonio Hicban said.

They face charges of illegal entry, illegal fishing and catching a protected species -- the sea turtles-- which could get them 12 to 20 years in jail, said Hicban and Sabban.

The declaration of a stronger stance against the Chinese suspects came a day after China executed three Filipino drug traffickers, despite appeals for mercy from senior Philippine officials.

Anger towards China has risen in the Philippines after the execution of the three Filipino drug couriers.

Sabban said the crackdown was not related to the execution of the three but compared the two cases, recalling that China had insisted the Philippines respect its legal system under which the Filipinos were put to death.

"The Chinese ambassador said to us, we should understand the rule of law in their country. The same thing should be applied here. We are just following the law, the same way the Chinese ambassador told us," he said.

Chinese embassy spokesman Sun Yi said consular officials would be sent to Palawan to see what action to take regarding the arrested fishermen.

abs-cbnnews.com

AFP has 12 new generals

By Alexis Romero

The Philippine Star, Wednesday, Mach 30, 2011

President Aquino approved the promotion of 12 colonels of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to one-star generals last March 27.

They were promoted through an ad interim appointment, which would require confirmation of the Commission on Appointments (CA).

The 12 new generals are Army brigadier generals

Mariano Veloria, Alex Albano, Arnolfo Atendido, Ramona Go, Samuel Narbuada, Maximo Caro and Lito Tabangcura; Navy commodores Geronimo Aganon, Isabelo Gador, Wenefredo Banua, and Caesar Taccad; and Air Force brigadier general Nicanor Vivar.

On the other hand, six one-star generals were promoted to two-star rank effective March 27. These are rear admirals Orwen Cortez and Edgar Abogado and major generals Ramiro Alivio, Elmir de la Cruz, Romulo Bambao, and Alfredo Peralta, who took over as superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy this month.

Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, meanwhile, was promoted to lieutenant general last March 26.

A total of 102 lieutenant colonels have been promoted to full colonel, allowing them to join the roster of AFP senior officers.

Among them is the late Air Force Lt. Col. Ferdinand Macasaet, who was gunned down in Baguio City last March 3.

Macasaet, who served as head of the PMA’s air warfare and headquarters tactics group, was on his way home to Pinesville Subdivision on board his Mitsubishi Montero when an unidentified gunman fired at him with a caliber .40 pistol.

He was about to be promoted when he was slain by the gunman, who remains at large. The AFP nevertheless granted him a posthumous promotion since his appointment papers had already been processed.

Also promoted to full colonel was Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., chief of the AFP public affairs office. Burgos, a member of PMA Class 1988, was former spokesman of the Armed Forces.

Philstar.com

P.H.-U.S. balikatan Exercise 2011 set

By Elena Aben

Manila Bulletin, Tuesday, March 29,2011

The Philippine Navy geared up for PH-US Balikatan exercise 2011 on April 5-15, 2011 in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog areas where Philippine sailors and marines will engage their American counterparts in a series of drills, both on land and at sea, aimed at promoting interoperability between the armed forces of the two two countries. Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Navy spokesman, said the PN's air and surface assets manned by sailors and aviators will see action in a series o maneuvers and evolutions at sea, while PN SEALS will be involved in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exercises. Meanwhile, the Philippine Marines will be trained in amphibious landing/raid with their US counterparts.

Balikatan Exercise 2011 set in April

Sunstar, Monday, March 28, 2011

THE Philippine Navy is gearing up for Balikatan Exercise 2011 set on April 5 to 15 2011 in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog areas.

The Navy’s sailors and marines will meet with their US counterparts in a series of drills, both on land and at sea, to promote interoperability between the two armed forces, said Navy spokesman Captain Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

Bacordo said the Navy’s air and surface assets manned by sailors and aviators will see action in a series of maneuvers and evolutions at sea, while Navy’s SEALs will be involved in Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercises.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Marines will be trained in amphibious landing/raid with their US counterparts.

Fleet-Marine officers will also be involved in the Rapid Response Planning Process (R2P2) aboard a US Navy ship while enroute from South Harbor, Manila to Subic Bay.

Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama earlier vowed to work on the acquisition of important naval hardware such as the MRV, off-shore patrol vessels, multi-purpose helicopters and amphibious assault vessels and other equipment.

Aside from the drills and professional exchanges between the two armed forces, the Philippines and the US will also field in military doctors, nurses, and other medical workers to conduct free medical and dental services to local residents in the exercise venues.

Likewise, military engineers will also be involved in construction projects during the Balikatan.

sunstar.com