Phl Navy to join Brunei International Defense Exhibition

By Jell E Guzman
PIA, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

MANILA, June 29 (PIA) –- The Philippine Navy will be joining the naval forces from Brunei, Pakistan, Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States for the 3rd Brunei International Defense Exhibition (BRIDEX) on July 2, 2011.

Navy Flag officer in command Vice Admiral Alexander P. Pama said the activity will help the participants gain insights, at the same time appreciate the technology advancements and industry developments particularly on defense warfare.

The Philippine Navy contingent will be composed of the crew of the participating ships from the Naval Education and Training Command, Fleet Training Center, Philippine Navy Auxiliary Reserve Unit, Naval Modernization Office, Naval Doctrines Office, and the Naval Special Operations Group. A medical team from the Manila Naval Hospital will also join the group to provide medical assistance.

Likewise, the Navy will be sending two of its vessels, the Jacinto Class Patrol Vessel (BRP Apolinario Mabini – PS36) and Cyclone Class Vessel (BRP Gen. Mariano Alvarez – PS3838).

BRIDEX 2011 is a week-long event which highlights fleet review. It is also an excellent platform in building alliances, forging partnerships and capturing new business opportunities in a fast growing South East Asian region, as well as for networking, sharing ideas and knowledge, discussing technology advancements and industry developments.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam will grace the event.

The premier defense and security exhibition in South East Asia brings together the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of defense and security equipment.

The upcoming event also serves as an exclusive marketplace to showcase the latest, innovative and value enhancing technology solutions in land, sea, air, and security systems to address the wide spectrum of security challenges. (PN/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR)

pia.gov.ph

Asian war feared over Spratlys row

By Redempto Anda

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Puerto Princesa—Longtime allies the Philippines and the United States launched naval exercises on Tuesday amid warnings that growing incidents at sea involving China could lead to war in Asia.

Two state-of-the-art US missile destroyers sailed into Philippine waters to kick-start the 11 days of training, being held in the wake of regional tensions caused by territorial rivalries in the West Philippine (South China) Sea.

The exercises, called Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat), will actually take place in the Sulu Sea.

Both the Philippines and United States emphasized the training was an annual one aimed at strengthening defense ties, and not linked to the rising concern in Manila about allegedly aggressive Chinese actions in the potentially resource-rich Spratly Islands.

“Carat was planned in advance… the issue in the South China Sea started in February,” Philippine Navy vice commander Rear Adm. Orwen Corez said at the opening ceremony. “Carat has nothing to do with the issue.”

Nevertheless, the exercises were portrayed as a show of unity between the Philippines and its former colonial ruler.

‘Enduring commitment’

“The US and the Philippines are allies and that is the strongest and most enduring commitment the two nations can make,” the commander of the US 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, said.

“Our alliance is underpinned by a deep and abiding US interest in the freedom and security of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Buskirk stressed the exercise “has nothing to do with the Spratlys.”

He said it was the second such exercise held by the two allies “but this situation is more complex.” He did not elaborate.

Tuesday’s opening ceremony took place at a military base in Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan province, a narrow island that divides the West Philippine Sea and the Sulu Sea.

About 800 US sailors are involved, as well as the two guided missile destroyers and a salvage ship. They will join a Philippine fleet of mainly World War II-era ships.

newsinfo.inquirer.net

Nakabantay ang isang Philippine naval personnel sa missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93)

Photo by AFP

Abante, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Nakabantay ang isang Philippine naval personnel sa missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93) na dumating sa bansa para sa US-Philippines joint naval military exercise na ‘C­ooperation Afloat Readiness Training’ (CARAT). Idadaos ang pagsasanay sa katubigan ng Puerto Princesa, Palawan, malapit sa tensyunadong Spratly Islands.

abante.com.ph

US Senate hits China action in territorial row

By AFP Photo

Manila Times, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A Philippine Navy personnel stands guard during the arrival of missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon ahead of the Philippine-US joint naval military exercises near the disputed Spratly Islands on Tuesday.

manilatimes.net