Aquino's developer turns out to be Malaysian

By Joyce Pangco Pañares
Manila Standard Today, Saturday, June 9, 2011

A GOVERNMENT-backed Malaysian developer has emerged as the proponent of the redevelopment of the Philippine Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard that President Aquino announced in his State-of-the-Nation Address last year.

According to a Philippine Navy briefing paper, no less than Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi wrote Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to push the proposal of Malaysian Resources Corp. Berhad to award the lease not only of the Navy headquarters but also of the Sangley naval base.

The Malaysian defense minister, in his letter to Gazmin in January this year, proposed that the Roxas Boulevard and Sangley redevelopment be pursued “through a government-to-government arrangement under the ambit of the RP-Malaysia Defense Cooperation,” the Navy briefing paper said.

The Malaysian developers want to turn the Navy headquarters into a mixed-use development and build a bigger shipbuilding yard out of the Sangley base in Cavite.

Contrary to Mr. Aquino’s pronouncement that the proponent was willing to pay $100 million to lease the Navy property, a Malaysian delegation said their proposal offered no such payment and was instead based on profit-sharing.

According to the Navy briefing paper, Gazmin in turn told the Malaysian delegation that the Finance Department was “not supportive” of their proposal.

It wasn’t clear what the Finance Department’s objections were to the Malaysian proposal, which turned out to have been substituted from a Singapore-led consortium, First Link, when the first unsolicited proposal was submitted to the Philippine Navy in April 2010.

manilastandardtoday.com

Philippine Navy’s indie film tilt

By Boy Abunda

Philippine Star, Friday, June 8, 2011

The Philippine Navy (PN), in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, recently launched its first-ever Independent Film Competition in commemoration of its 113th anniversary.

Open to all Filipino filmmakers, the competition highlights this year’s PN anniversary theme: Philippine Navy: A Vital Partner for Peace, Security, and Development of our Maritime Nation. It is considered a new concept in the list of Philippine Navy community relations activities following the previous annual essay-writing contest participated in by PN personnel and their dependents. With the thought of enhancing PN efforts to harness the spirit of competition among Navy affairs enthusiasts, the competition hopes to feature the Philippine Navy as a partner in nation building, and at the same time increase the awareness of the Navy to all stakeholders interested in upholding peace, security and development.

The competition is also open to writers, both professional and amateurs, from schools and other independent organizations. The first, second and third prizes are P40,000, P25,000 and P15,000, respectively.

philstar.com

Phl-US joint naval exercises a success, says Navy

By Jaime Laude
Philippine Star, Thursday, July 7, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The joint naval exercise of the Philippines and the United States in Palawan near disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea ending tomorrow was hailed a success.

Dubbed as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011, the joint naval exercise is the yearly naval event between the Philippine and US navies in line with the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the two allies.

“The event was a success because we have accomplished all plans and programs for the event,” said Maj. Niel Estrella, spokesman of the Western Command (Wescom) based in Puerto Princesa City.

Estrella said the troops at Wescom are hoping that next year’s CARAT would again be held in Palawan since the island province offers the best training ground for naval exercises.

He said that aside from Filipino sailors and Marines, at least 800 US servicemen who took part in this CARAT have also gained additional experience on the intricacies of a joint naval operation.

Two Philippine Navy ships, the BRP Rizal and BRP Pangasinan, two US Navy guided-missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon, USS Howard and US Navy’s dive and salvage ship USN Safeguard took part in this year’s 11-day Naval drill within the Sulu Sea area.

The joint naval war games started last June 28 at a time when tension over territorial disputes in the nearby West Philippine Sea have been mounting due to the aggressive behavior of China to assert its claim over the entire South China Sea, part of which is also being claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan.

Aside from the routine civil-military operations, Filipino and US troops also took part in various naval drills on the high seas, which include maritime security and interdiction operations to further enhance interoperability among the two naval forces as well as target acquisition or live fire exercises.

“We are hoping that CARAT would again be held here next year as this will open more opportunities for training our own Navy personnel,” Estrella said.

Estrella brushed aside reports that condoms were distributed to US servicemen before disembarking from their warships that docked at the Puerto Princesa City port.

He said that most health and wellness products, including condoms, are always available in all US ships for crewmembers but not for distribution by their officers as reported.

“Of all the health and wellness products located along strategic areas of the ship’s hallway, mediamen on a guided tour on the US warships only reported the condoms and did not mention other health and wellness products like sun blocks that are always available to all crewmembers on board,” Estrella said.

He denied that condoms were distributed to the US soldiers.

“Optional ito to all US servicemen as well as other militaries around the globe,” Estrella said.

philstar.com

Aquino okays new designation of five generals, flag officers

By PNA

Zamboanga Times, Wednesday, July 6, 2011

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has approved the designation of five Generals and Senior Officers to key-positions in the military, effective last June.

Upon the recommendation of the Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, two Brigadier Generals, two Colonels and a Navy Captain were appointed to key-positions in the AFP by the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8186, as amended by R.A. No. 9188, otherwise known as the Act Strengthening the Professionalism in the AFP.

Brig. Gen. Cipriano D. Gundao, the former Acting Commander Philippine Air Force Air Logistics Command, now formally holds the said position.

Brigadier General Joel C. Marayag, previously the Commander of the 1st Air Division, is now the Deputy Chief of Staff for the AFP Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9.

Colonel Luis C. Vinoya Jr., former Chief Army Management Information Center from the Philippine Army, is now the Chairman of the AFP General Headquarters Bids and Awards Committee. Col. Danilo H. Peñafiel, prior to being the Deputy Commander of the Air Education and Training Command of the Philippine Air Force was the Deputy Wing Commander, 355th Aviation Engineering Wing.

Captain Abraham F. Celzo of the Philippine Navy, previously the Deputy Commander is now the Commander of the Naval Forces in Southern Luzon.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines is committed in further strengthening professionalism within its ranks. The designation of new positions is part of the dynamics of the organization which is vital in carrying out our mission effectively. We shall expect great things from these newly appointed officers in order to make our goals happen," AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Eduardo SL Oban Jr. said. (PNA)

zambotimes.com