CARAT 2011 holds medical mission, community services

PIA, Wednesday, June 6, 2011

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 6 (PIA) –- Community services like medical missions remain part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011 in Palawan as participants embark on strengthening United States’ and Philippines’ military capabilities.

In a press release, the 6th Civil relations group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that recently the United States naval servicemen, with their Filipino counterpart who are participating in the CARAT, conducted a medical and dental mission in Bgy Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City last June 29, benefiting hundreds of residents of the village.

Free medical check-up and tooth extraction were offered in the said civic activity. Medicines were also handed out to patients.

The medical mission was part of the annual bilateral military training exercise between the US and the Philippine navies that aim to further strengthen cooperation between, and improve the capabilities of, the two countries’ naval forces.

It was among the several community service activities of CARAT 2011 lined up to reach out to the Palaweňos.

Other activities include the holding of community relation activities in Bgy Tagburos Elementary School and Gregorio Oquendo Memorial Elementary School. Free music lessons were also offered at the Palawan State University Laboratory High School and Palawan National School.

A week before the joint military training officially kicked off, CARAT participants have already started the construction of a social hall and comfort rooms at West Elementary School in Bgy Mangingisda, Puerto Princesa City.

CARAT 2011 opened on June 28 with the arrival of three US navy ships that will be part of the 10-day military training. The exercises will be held in the Sulu Sea.

Moreover, the Philippine Marine Corps and the US 7th Fleet Band will hold a free band concert at the People’s Amphitheater in Mendoza Park, Puerto Princesa City and at the NCCC mall to cap off the activity.

This year’s CARAT will focus more on enhancing both countries’ naval capabilities in maritime defense, resource protection and disaster response operations through actual exercises and information exchanges.

Approximately 800 US navy servicemen and 457 Philippine Navy personnel is participating in this year’s bilateral military training. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

pia.gov.ph

Plane 'buzzes' Philippine boat in South China Sea

By AFP

Asiaone News, Tuesday, July 5, 2011

MANILA - An unidentified foreign plane harassed a group of Philippine fishermen in the South China Sea last month in the latest incident in the disputed waters, the Philippine navy said Tuesday.

The fishermen reported the jet flew low over their boat early last month off the Investigator Northeast Shoal, said navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama.

"An unidentified jet buzzed our fishing boat some 20 to 30 feet (6-9 metres) from the top of the mast of the fishing boat," Pama told reporters.

"They were unable to identify the jet; they just said it was noisy and it made them nervous," he said, adding: "Definitely it's not ours."

Asked about the plane's motive, Pama said it was not usual for an aircraft to fly so low over a boat, "so initially it's some sort of a warning, like, 'What are you doing here?'"

The navy said the incident occurred near a shoal claimed by the Philippines that lies between the major western Philippine island of Palawan and the disputed Spratly islands, which are believed to sit on vast mineral resources.

It was the second report of foreign aircraft activity in Philippine-claimed areas of the South China Sea this year.

In May two Philippine air force turboprop planes on patrol near the Spratlys reported two unidentified jets streaking high above them.

Tensions in the strategic and resource-rich South China Sea have escalated in recent weeks, with the Philippines and Vietnam voicing alarm at what they say are increasingly forceful Chinese actions there.

They include Philippine accusations of Chinese forces opening fire on Filipino fishermen, shadowing an oil exploration vessel employed by a Philippine firm, and putting up structures in areas claimed by the Philippines.

Aside from the Philippines, China and Vietnam, the Spratlys are also wholly or partially claimed by Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Philippine foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez declined to comment on the navy's allegation, telling AFP he had yet to see the formal report.

asiaone.com

Unidentified foreign jet scares PH fishermen - Navy chief

By Abigail Kwok

Interaksyon, Monday, July 4, 2011

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.

interaksyon.com

Philippines will not buy second hand naval equipment from the US

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.

gulfnews.com