MANILA, Philippines -- An unidentified foreign jet recently scared local
fishermen in the area of the disputed Spratly Islands, according to sketchy reports reaching Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama.
The foreign jet "buzzed" a local fishing boat at the Dalagang Bukid Shoal, located some 131 miles from Balabac Island in Palawan.
Pama said on Monday the reported intrusion occurred between June 2 and June 4. The local fishermen reported that the jet flew some 20 to 30 feet above the fishing boat, "buzzing" the fishermen and scaring them away.
"These fishermen they couldn't identify the jet. They just reported loud sound above them, then they got nervous," Pama said, citing sketchy information reaching him.
Pama said the jet "was definitely not ours."
The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all claim territory in the South China Sea, which Manila recently started referring to as West Philippine Sea, after China insisted it had sovereignty even over areas included in the Philippines's 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said at least six incursions were made by Chinese troops this year, triggering diplomatic protests from the Philippines.
By Barbara Mae Dacanay Gulf News, Monday, July 4,2011
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippine government might not buy but lease the equipment from the United States, adding the aim is to become a strong US allyManila: The Philippines will not buy second hand naval equipment from its ally, the United States, said a senior official who announced the arrival of long range aircraft that will oversee the country's claim on the contested South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and the Spratly Archipelago.
The government will soon have very long range patrol aircraft and also watercraft on the West Philippine Sea, facing the eastern seaboard of the country, said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
"We have to see if we can afford it," Gazmin also said.
He did not give details about the amount to be spent for the equipment and the manner of payment for the said purchase.
Upgrading the Philippine Navy was estimated to cost P 11 billion ($ 252 million).
Chinese forces opened fire on Filipino fishermen, harassed a Philippine oil exploration and erected structures on six areas on Philippine territory, the Philippines complained earlier.
Philippine President Aquino called for US assistance because of these problems. Then Manila baptized the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea.
Like Manila, Vietnam also accused China of activities that increased tension in the South China Sea.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippine government might not buy but lease the equipment from the United States, adding the aim is to become a strong US ally.
The list of the Philippine government was already given to the US Navy, he added. The new equipment will supplant the F5 fighter jets which were retired in 2005. The Philippine Navy is still using World War II vintage Rajah Humabon, a former US Navy frigate.
In reaction, militant groups said that the Philippine government might have allowed the United States to stockpile naval equipment at the South China Sea.
They also blamed President Benigno Aquino for drawing the US into the contested claims on the South China Sea and the Spratly Archipelago.
In 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected the US-proposed extension of the now defunct Military Bases Agreement. Since then, the Philippines stopped hosting of the largest two US overseas war facilities in central Luzon. The former US Naval Airbase in Olongapo, Zambales and the Clark Air Base in Angeles, Pampanga were transformed into commercial use.
But soon after, the US has proposed to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the establishment of non-permanent US bases in the Pacific region.
This was not yet acted upon.
China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim the whole of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei claim some parts of the Spratly Archipelago.
The public is cordially invited to witness the once-a-month exhibition by the Philippine Marine Corps Silent Drill Group on Sunday, July 3, 2011, starting at 4:00 p.m., at the back of the Rizal Monument, Rizal Park, Manila. This is made possible by the partnership of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), under Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) the Philippine Navy (PN) and the Philippine Marines. Admission is free.
The Philippine Marine Corps Silent Drill Exhibition is a precision drill exhibition without verbal command. Members do a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their hand-polished M-1 Garand rifles of nickel-plated bayonets. It is an amazing display of skill and coordination, which is quite common in the Marine Corps, especially in the Marine Security & Escort Group (MSEG), where all the members of the Silent Drill team come from.
The MSEG is the unit in the AFP, which is tasked to guard the monument of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, at Rizal Park, the country’s premiere park.
By Ho'okele Staff Pearl Harbor-Hickman News, Saturday, July 2, 2011
Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy Capt. Ronald Joseph S. Mercado, left, deputy commander of Naval Forces West, and U.S. Navy Capt. David Welch, commander of Task Group 73.1, greet Cmdr. Scott Erb, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), as the ship arrives in Puerto Princesa to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2011
