Navy bantay-sarado

'Abante: July 23, 2009
By: Al Jacinto

ZAMBOANGA CITY --- Naghigpil Ngayon ang Philippine Navy at lalong pinaigting ang pagpapatrulya sa karagatan ng Mindanao matapos ang sunud-sunod na pambobomba ng mga terorista at rebeldeng grupo. lbinintang ng mga awtoridad sa Indonesian terror group na Jemaah Islamiya at Abu Sayyaf, gayundin sa rebeleng Moro ang mga pagsabog sa Sulu at Mindanao na ikinasawi at ikinasugat ng maraming sibilyan. Sa Indonesia ay isinabit rin ng mga awtoridad doon ·sa Jemaah Islamiya ang pambobomba sa Marriott at Ritz-Carlton hotels sa Jakarta na ikinamatay ng siyam nakatao at pagkasugat ng 53iba pa."We have stepped upour security patrol. We are fighting terrorism here,"ani Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, ang commander ng navy sa Mindanao, Patuloy ang patrulya ng navy sa Moro Gulf, Mindanao, Sulu at Celebes Seas, mga lugar na kung saan ay aktibo ang mga pirata.

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Navy fights hunger with garden project

Manila Bulletin Sunday, July 19, 2009 13

By ELENA L. ABEN

The Philippine Navy has embarked on a new project dubbed "urban vegetable gardening." "From eliminating, we now do growing," Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said, as he discussed the Naval force’s new project. Arevalo said that from eliminating enemies in line with the governments, war on terror to conducting rescue and relief missions, the Philippine Navy led by its Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, focuses on a new program aimed at fighting bigger enemy - hunger. In support of the government's campaign against hunger, the Philippine Navy has converted a 600-square meter former trash site at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City into an organic vegetable garden. Arevalo said that the organic garden is one of the Navy's environment friendly projects. He said that the program will showcase an eco-friendly garden in Metro Manila, which can also be a good source of healthy diet and additional income. The urban vegetable gardening is pioneered by the Navy's engineering arm, the Naval Construction Brigade (NCBde) or Seabees. In promoting the "green project," the Team Navy collaborated with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in transforming the land into a garden. "The Navy's urban garden was realized thru the initiative of the Seabees

aided by the technical expertise and seedlings from BPI. Organic fertilizers like compost and farming methods were used to grow vegetables like alugbati, upland kangkong, bush sitaw, s31uyot, pechay, raddish, eggplant, and ginger. At the launching ceremony, the Navy chief expressed cited the health benefits of organic-grown vegetables. He said: "Vegetable is an important ingredient of our diet and input for good health." Seeing the potential of the garden,

Golez challenged Navy personnel to replicate the project in all units of the Command and to sustain the project and make vegetable gardening "a part of our daily life in the Navy." Arevalo said the project which targets optimum yield over minimum inputs will showcase technologies

in growing vegetables, herbs and spices. He added that the new project will serve as a model for other communities in the urban area to grow vegetables in their backyards or even in containers.

"This in a way will produce quality vegetables for home consumption, generate income, and help minimize waste in the area through composting," the Navy spokesman said. The Philippine Navy has expanded its role to include the protection of our environment. After launching its own Ecological Waste Segregation Program at Fort San Felipe, Cavite City early this year, the Navy now embarks into another eco-friendly project, the Urban Garden. "This project further attests to the Navy's commitment in preserving our natural resources," Arevalo said. Josephine Garcia, representative from the BPI, said: "The garden is not only a good source of organic vegetables

that promotes one's health, but is also a good source of additional income."

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'NO TALKS WITH TERRORISTS' Marines chief vows no letup vs Abu

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009 PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

By Jocelyn R. Uy

NEWLY APPOINTED MARINE COMMANdant Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban vowed yesterday

that Marines based in Sulu would not take a softer line in their pursuit against the Abu Sayyaf bandit group. Saban yesterday took over the highest post in the Philippine Marines as its new commandant. He replaced Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, who is taking command of government

forces in Southwestern Mindanao. But despite his new designation, Sabban will have to fly back to Sulu to continue ongoing offensives against the bandit group while his replacement as chief of Task Force Comet has yet to be named, Sabban told reporters after the turnover rites at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City. "Until such time there is a replacement, I will have to continue my duty. It's very basic in the military that when you are not relieved [from your post], you have to stand your ground," he said. The US-educated top Marine firmly said that government troops on the ground would never relent in going after the Abu Sayyaf. “As what

we have been saying before, there should be no negotiations with terrorists," he added. He said troops on Jolo island were sufficient in number but they needed additional modern equipment to step up the fight against terrorism, Sabban pointed out as he disclosed the military's acquisition of new tools in its mission. ''We are in the process of getting these equipment," he said, but declined to elaborate. Sen. Richard Gordon, chair of the Philippine National Red Cross, had proposed granting amnesty to elderly Abu Sayyaf leaders but this· was rejected by Malacañang.

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Sabban officially takes over Marines' helm

Saturday, July 18, 2009 The Daily Tribune 3
By: Mario J. Mallari

Former coup plotter and Young Officers Union (YOU) founding member Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban yesterday formally assumed the post of commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC). Sabban, a member of the controversial Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978 which has President Arroyo as its honorary member, replaced Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, who was appointed commanding general of the military's Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City. "He is a seasoned officer, he can walk chin up with his promotion, “a Marine officer facing court martial prooceedings fur the February 2006 alleged mutiny told the Tribune during a hearing on Thursday. "He is well-respected, not only within the Marines, but also in the entire military circle,' the officer, who wanted to be anonymous, said of Sabban. "He is a principled gentleman. He deserves it,' another officer said of Sabban. Other members of the PMA Class of 1978include incumbent Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, National Capital Region Police Office director, Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Preztosa. As ajunior officer, Sabban was among the YOU members, including now detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and fellow Marine and Medal of Valor awardee Col. Ariel Querubin, who joined forces with the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) in staging the bloody December 1989coup d'etat against the Aquino administration. Before his promotion, Sabban served as the commanding general of the Joint Task Force Comet, the lead military unit running after the Abu Sayyaf terror group led by Albader Parad and Abu Jumdail, alias "Dr. Abu,' which had kidnapped three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers and held them in captivity in the jungles of the southern island province of Sulu. His appointment as Marine commandant was announced a day after the last ICRC hostage to be held by the Abu Sayyaf, Italian Eugenio Vagni, was released by the bandit group in Maimbung town, Sulu last Sunday.

The two other ICRC workers - Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss Andreas Notter - were released by the militants last April 2 and 18, respectively, in Indanan town. The turnover ceremonies at the PMC headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City were presided over by Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez and was attended by the military's top brass, led by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado. In his assumption speech, Sabban, who was chosen as among the 10 Outstanding Pilipino Soldiers by the Metrobank Foundation in 2003, called on the 8,000 strong Marines, who are known to be the AFP's invasion force, to be ready for non-traditional roles to properly cope up with the changing times. "To be able to cope with the rapidly evolving national security concerns, exigencies and demands brought about by these modern times, the Marine Corps must evolve as well, and its men and women must acquire new knowledge and skills and be prepared to perform non-traditional roles and tasks,' he said.

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