Navy conducts 5-day exercise in La Union

By Elena L Aben

Manila Bulletin, Saturday, May 7, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — To enhance inter-operability of the country's regular and reserve naval forces, the Philippine Navy (PN) is conducting a joint five-day exercise dubbed “Pagsasama 2011” at the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) in San Fernando, La Union.

Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman, said the annual exercises being held from May 9 to 13 involve maritime stakeholders in accordance with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” and the development of common operational practices and naval tactics.

“It will be participated in by Philippine Navy units, reserve forces, and the local government units and non-government organizations of La Union,” said Tonsay.

He said the joint exercises aim to enhance the readiness and inter-operability of PN Reserve Force and PN Affiliated Reserve Units (PNARU) to respond to the call of service, specifically in maritime security operations and inter-agency operations during the conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HA/DR) operations.

“The following are the events comprising the exercise: Cross Training Exercises/Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), CMO, At-Sea Fleet Training Exercises (FTX), and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) Exercises. The participation of the LGUs and NGOs is incorporated in the CMO activities, which will emphasize the Nolcom Camplan “Ugnayan” in relation to the IPSP “Bayanihan” of the AFP,” said Tonsay.

Meanwhile, Philippine Navy Flag-Officer-in- Command, Vice Admiral Alexander P. Pama said: “This exercise is of utmost importance to the Navy and maritime stakeholder interests as it reinforces the bond between the active and reservist Navy personnel, as well as other stakeholders towards a stable and progressive maritime environment.”

“What is most significant in this year’s exercise is the fact that the Reservists are actively involved in all four phases of the exercise – from planning, to execution, to termination, and evaluation of the event,” he added.

MB.com

Military vows to be on alert while watching Pacquiao fight

By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Friday, May 6, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines said soldiers, especially those in the frontlines, would still be vigilant during Manny Pacquiao's fight against Shane Mosley on May 8 as major military camps around the country are expected to provide their soldiers free live telecasts of the fight in Las Vegas.

“We're having this free live viewing but we will maintain our vigilance. I'm sure there will be similar events like this in the different field units. We're asking troops in the field to maintain their vigilance and ensure that security measures are undertaken during the fight,” Col. Arnulfo Burgos, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, told reporters on Friday.

Burgos said they were not taking anything for granted even if less crimes and skirmishes with rebel groups had been reported during Pacquiao's fights in the past.

“We will continue to step up our intelligence collection efforts even if our troops have the chance to watch the fight. We would make sure we will maintain security measures and even intensify them further to make sure it would be very peaceful,” he said.
In Metro Manila, some 10,000 soldiers and their families are expected to watch Pacquiao's latest bout in specially designated public places at the Camp Aguinaldo general headquarters and the headquarters of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force.

Battle casualties confined at the AFP Medical Center (formerly V. Luna Hospital) would also get to watch the fight for free.

Pacquiao is an Army reservist with the rank of senior master sergeant, the highest rank that can be given to enlisted personnel.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

AFP on the ball when Pacquiao steps in the ring

By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net, Friday, May 6, 2011

MANILA, Philippines – Life in the streets of the Philippines will stop Sunday, for the much-awaited bout between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines is not taking any chances in case insurgent groups and lawless elements decide to play killjoy, and take advantage of the brief break.

AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr., acknowledged that previous fights by Filipino boxing superstar and Congressman Pacquiao have always been marked by low crime rates and minimal violent incidents reported nationwide. But the military, he vowed, will continue to provide security all over the archipelago.

“In the past, we think even criminal elements and communist rebels take time off to watch Manny fight,” Col. Burgos observed. “It’s been that peaceful. But it always pays to be vigilant. Rest assured that the AFP will continue to provide security.”

He added that traditionally, thousands of people flock to public venues where live coverage of Manny’s fights are aired. “We’ll be fully deployed in these areas as well,” he said.

“We will maintain our security and vigilance. The security measures are for people and not only for military installations,” Burgos said.

He added that the AFP expects thousands of people to flock to venues where live coverage of the fight will be aired. “Of course, there is the possibility that the insurgent New People’s Army may take advantage and attack these venues,” Col. Burgos said. “We intend to step up our intelligence monitoring efforts to deter these.

Col. Burgos did not discount the possibility that AFP forces assigned to these venues may sneak a peek at Pacquiao’s latest pugilistic conquest, and thereby lose sight off the ball.

“Kahit meron pagkakataong manonood and ating mga tropa, magmamatyag at magbabantay pa rin sila. Makakaasa kayo (Even though our troops may watch Pacquiao while on duty, rest assured that we will maintain security measures and even intensify these to make sure no untowards incidents occur),” Col. Burgos said.

Meanwhile, Col. Burgos said the AFP will be airing the fight live on Sunday at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, and the headquarters of the unified commands of the Philippine Navy, Philippine army.

Live viewing will also be aired for patients confined at the V. Luna Medical Center and the AFP Medical Center, he said.

“The live coverage is free for members of AFP their dependents friends to include their dependents,” Burgos said.

Inquirer. net

Navy stops search for missing Chinese diver in Palawan

by RSJ, GMA News, Friday, May 06, 2011

After six days of fruitless searching, the Philippine Navy ended Friday its efforts to look for a Chinese diver who went missing off Tubbataha Reef in Palawan.

The Navy had dispached a patrol gunboat and an Islander plane to look for the diver, identified only as Chang, radio dzBB's Palawan affiliate reported Friday.

But the Navy issued a maritime advisory asking fishermen and passing ships in the area to notify it if they see tracees of the missing diver.

Chang had been missing for at least six days, even as Navy efforts to locate him with its Patrol Gunboat 385 proved futile, the report said.

An initial investigation showed Chang went missing off the Tubbataha Reef area after their boat encountered big waves and sank last weekend.

The Naval Forces West said Chang disappeared after waves buffeted the boat carrying eight other passengers.

The boatman and seven other passengers had been rescued.

GMA News