Philippine Naval fleet ready for evacuation assistance at Taal Volcano

Xinhua, Saturday, April 23, 2011

As the seismic activity at the Volcano Taal has been keeping active, the Philippine Navy ordered a nearby fleet to stand by, in case Taal Volcano erupts anytime, according to the military sources on Saturday.

About a company size of troops from the Philippine Fleet are on standby throughout the holy week to provide evacuation and rescue assistance to more than 1,000 caretakers who are reportedly left behind in the danger zone, Jose Luis Alano, Commander of the Philippine Fleet, said in a press release on Saturday.

The Philippine Fleet is the nearest Naval facility that can respond immediately in case Taal Volcano erupts. Aside from the troops, the Fleet Support Force is prepared to deploy rubber boats, trucks, life vests, a team of divers, and an ambulance with a medical team.

Taal Volcano, an island situated in the middle of Taal lake in Batangas province of north Philippines, has more than 5,000 residents, most of whom were already evacuated to safer grounds.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( PHILVOLCS) recorded 19 earthquakes in the past 24 hours, one of those event which occurred at 4:31 a.m. Saturday was felt at Intensity III. The temperature at the Main Crater Lake has increased from 30.5 degrees Celsius to 31.5 degrees Celsius.

PHIVOLCS advises the public to keep away from the Main Crater, because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

People's Daily Online

Ogie Alcasid doing a Bob Hope

By Victor Reyes

Malaya, Tuesday, April 19, 2011

SINGER-actor Ogie Alcasid will be doing a Bob Hope through the Bayanihan Peace Caravan 2011 that will hold musical concerts for soldiers in a bid to boost their morale amid allegations of high-level corruption in the military.

Comedian-actor Hope used to headline shows with other celebrities and stars, including Marilyn Monroe, to entertain US servicemen deployed overseas through United Service Organizations (USO) tours. He made some 60 USO tours to various destinations, including Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam war, for which he was honored by the US Congress as the "first and only honorary veteran of the US armed forces."

Alcasid, president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), signed a memorandum of understanding with the AFP for the holding of the Rockrakan para sa Kapayapaan concert which kicks off on April 27 at the military’s general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Alcasid will be accompanied by singers Noel Cabangon, Cookie Chua, Syato Banda and Mitch Valdes. Cabangon is the OPM’s vice president for external affairs while Valdes is the group’s chairman of the board. Chua, vocalist of the disbanded Color it Red band, is a member of the 500-man organization.

Performing with them are the Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Navy Seabees and Philippine Air Force 710th Special Operations Wing and Ltjg. Chat Alvaro, singer of the song "Bayanihan" that was inspired by the military’s internal peace and security plan Bayanihan.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta said the concert will be held in selected areas nationwide. He said they are now finalizing the dates and venues.

Alcasid said the activity is meant to show support for the troops. "We feel for the soldiers. You know, when all these things (allegations of corruption) came out, we thought that the morale of the soldiers went down. This is meant to restore (their morale). It’s just our way of showing that we’re for you, we are behind you," he said.

Alcasid, recently appointed by President Aquino to the People Power Commission, said his organization is also supporting the peace initiatives of the 120,000-strong military establishment. He said his group’s concerts have nothing to do with his post which pays him nothing. "I’m doing this as an ordinary citizen. You know, all of us can complain about many things that are going on in our society, even in government. But if you’re not gonna do anything about it (that’s useless)…I’d rather do things that can be of help and these (concerts) are one of them."

Malaya.com.ph

500 boxes of smuggled cigarettes seized

By Bong Garcia

Sunstar zambaonga, Sunday April 17, 2011

AN INTER-AGENCY operations have resulted to the confiscation Wednesday of some 500 boxes of assorted imported cigarettes in the village of Mangsee, Balabac, Palawan, the Philippine Navy disclosed Sunday.

Lieutenant Colonel Omar Tonsay, Philippine Navy public affairs director, said the anti-smuggling operation was launched after the Naval Forces West (NFW) managed to secure search warrant after receipt of information from concerned residents.

Tonsay said the search warrant was issued by Judge Sundiang Dilig against a certain Haji Mirza Abdullah for violation of Presidential Decree 1464 or the anti-smuggling law.

Tonsay said seven houses were also searched in the village of Mangsee, Balabac aside from that of Abdullah, which resulted to seizure of smuggled goods.

“Approximately 500 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes suspected to have come from Malaysia were confiscated and documented while inventory of other goods is in progress for subsequent filing of case,” Tonsay said.

He said that Navforwest commander Commodore Edgardo Tamayo credited the successful operation to the joint efforts and cooperation among the Navy, Marines, police as well as the support from the local government of Balabac and its concerned residents.

Sunstar.com.ph

Navy commissions 2 repaired vessels

By Elena L. Aben

Manila Bulletin, Sunday, April 17, 2011

As the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains wanting in the projection of naval presence, the Philippine Fleet based in Sangley Point, Cavite, last Friday marked its 73rd founding anniversary with the commissioning of two newly-repaired vessels.

Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman, said coinciding with the Philippine Fleet’s founding anniversary, the fleet also launched its new IT-based Command Center.

Tonsay said the two newly commissioned vessels, the BRP Emilio Liwanag (PG118) and the BRP Manobo (AT297), were repaired using deadlocked parts sourced from the systems and machines of vessels e docked beyond repair.

The PG118 is one of the seven Patrol Killer- Medium (PKM) gunboats acquired from South Korea in 1995, but had to undergo repairs when she was turned over to the Philippine Navy.

On the other hand, the BRP Manobo is a combat and logistics support vessel that is used to transport personnel and material cargo. Formerly categorized as a Boat Unit of the Philippine Navy, she was commissioned to increase the logistics support capability of the Fleet and whose crew composition will be manned by officers.

Tonsay said the commissioning ceremony, which included the reading of the commission order, breaking the commissioning pennant, and hoisting the national flag and Jack flag were presided by the Navy Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC), Vice Admiral Alexander Pama.

Mb.com.ph