US leads Asean war games in Sulu, Palawan

By Donna Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wednesday, June 15, 2011

A US-led naval exercise in the Sulu Sea involving the Philippines and five other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) began on Tuesday.

In the next 10 days, combined naval units from the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States will be in the Sulu Sea, Malacca Strait and Celebes Sea.

The naval exercise will be followed by another naval training exercise between the Philippines and the United States in the Sulu Sea. The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercise from June 28 to July 8 will be held in the waters east of Palawan.

Dubbed the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (Seacat), the annual maritime exercise initiated by the United States covers training against terrorism, transnational crimes “and other maritime threats.”

A Philippine Navy spokesperson said the naval exercises had been arranged before fresh tension broke out between the Philippines and China over the disputed Spratly islands.

Asset reinforcement

The exercise coincided with a visit by Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Alexander Pama at the Naval Forces West in Palawan, his first since assuming office in January. It came as the military was reinforcing its naval and air assets in the West Philippine Sea.

The Navy spokesperson, Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, said Pama toured Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon, headquarters of the Naval Forces West, as well as the Oyster Bay detachment at Naval Station Carlito Cunanan in Ulugan Point, Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City.

Pama also paid a courtesy call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command commander, Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, who is based in Puerto Princesa.

The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, acquired from the US Coast Guard and due to arrive in August, will be stationed at Naval Station Carlito Cunanan, 260 kilometers (140 nautical miles) from Recto Bank (Reed Bank) facing the West Philippine Sea.

Capt. Sebastian Pan, Philippine exercise director, said three Philippine Navy ships would participate in this year’s Seacat exercise. The USS Safeguard, a rescue and salvage ship, was designated as “contact of interest,” or COI.

Special operations

“This activity will involve surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of surveillance, tracking, and boarding of the COI from the different participating navies within their respective maritime territories,” Pan said.

He said maritime interdiction operations with boarding opportunity would be conducted in the Sulu and Mindanao Seas.

The Coast Watch stations of the participating naval forces will be utilized to exercise their capabilities in surveillance, tracking, communications and operations.

The annual Seacat exercise is conducted to protect vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia from terrorists, poachers and transnational lawless elements.

The exercise aims to promote “regional coordination, information sharing and interoperability in a multilateral environment.”

Venues are determined in advance in planning sessions with participating navies.

newsinfo.inquirer.net

US uses Safeguard for training in West PH Sea

By ABS-CBN News, Tuesday, June 14, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - Navy units from the Philippines, United States and other Southeast Asian nations are doing training exercises in the West Philippine Sea, more popularly known as the South China Sea, amid territorial tensions in the area.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the training, called Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), is only meant “to enhance interoperability and share practices.”

The other delegates are from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei and Malaysia are also involved in the South China Sea territorial dispute.

Tonsay said the Philippine Navy has deployed three ships for the training.

The US, on the other hand, will be using the USNS Safeguard, which is a rescue and salvage ship.

"They will participate together with the US Navy in a scenario-driven fleet training exercise against terrorism, transnational crimes and other maritime threats which focuses on real time information exchange, coordinated surveillance operations, tracking, and eventual conduct of Visit Board Search and Seizure to the maritime Contact of Interest,” Tonsay said.

He explained the SEACAT is an annual event, with the venue determined in advance.

"Venues have been determined in advance during coordinated planning sessions and are finalized following confirmation from all participating navies. This exercise aims to promote regional coordination, information sharing and interoperability in a multilateral environment," said Tonsay.

abs-cbnnews.com

Philippines removes markers from disputed waters

By Al

AFP News, Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Philippines said Wednesday its navy had removed "foreign" markers installed on three reefs and banks in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

The removal of the wooden posts took place in May, just before the government formally protested over alleged incursions by the Chinese navy in Filipino territorial waters, Philippine navy spokesman Omar Tonsay said.

"They were foreign markers because they were not installed by our military or our government. So we dismantled them because they are part of Philippine territory," Lieutenant-Colonel Omar Tonsay told AFP.

The Philippine government has recently accused China of putting posts and a buoy in Filipino-claimed waters, but Tonsay said the navy had not been able to determine who placed the wooden posts that it removed in May.

"They did not have a 'Made in China' label or anything," Tonsay said, adding the posts had only numbers on them.

The markers were on Boxall Reef in the Spratly Islands, and in the nearby Amy Douglas Bank and Reed Bank, all of which are in waters of the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines and China.

Aside from the Philippines and China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping territorial claims to strategically vital and reputedly resource-rich areas of the South China Sea.

Tensions over the long-running dispute have escalated in recent months amid assertions by the Philippines and Vietnam that China has become increasingly aggressive in staking its claims to the areas.

The Philippines this month accused China of undermining peace and stability in Asia by allegedly sending naval vessels near Reed Bank to intimidate rival claimants, and of installing posts and a buoy in nearby areas.

The Philippines also protested over incidents in February to May, accusing the Chinese navy of opening fire on Filipino fishermen and intimidating a Philippine oil exploration ship.

Raising tensions further, Philippine President Benigno Aquino said on Tuesday that his country needed help from longtime ally the United States in its dispute with China.

Chinese embassy spokesmen in Manila did not answer telephone calls on Wednesday about the foreign markers.

A spokesman at the Philippines' foreign department declined to comment on the naval action.

news.yahoo.com

2 USS destroyer bababad sa Pinas

By JB Salarzon/Rose Miranda
Abante, Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Sampung araw na bababad sa katubigan ng Pilipinas ang dalawang sasakyang pandigma ng Estados Unidos, kasama ang isang United States Navy Ship (USNS) para sa gagawing joint naval exercises ng Philippine Navy sa Sulu Sea.

Ayon kay Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, tagapagsalita ng Navy, makakasama sa aktibidad ang USS destroyer ‘Chung-Hoon’ (DDG 93), USS destroyer ‘Howard’ (DDG 83) at ang auxiliary support vessel na USNS ‘Safeguard’ (ARS 50) para sa 2011 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).

“Gaganapin ‘yung CARAT simula Hunyo 28 hanggang Hulyo 8,” ani Tonsay.

Ang Sulu Sea ay matatagpuan sa west eastern na bahagi ng Palawan.

Ang Chung-Hoon na may lulang 280 sailors ay umalis sa Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam base noong Hunyo 1 sa Hawaii patungong Western Pacific.

Hindi na ito ang unang pagkakataon na sasali ang Chung-Hoon sa military exercises sa bansa dahil nakasama rin ito ng Philippine Coast Guard noong nakaraang taon sa ginawang “boarding and searching vessels” sa Sulu Sea.

Sinabi ni Tonsay na ang Chung-Hoon ay nasa international waters pa lamang sa kanlurang bahagi ng bansa.

Sa bahagi naman ng Philippine Navy, sinabi ni Tonsay na na apat na barko at isang eroplano ang makakasali sa CARAT.

“We will be deploying in the joint exercises a patrol ship, two patrol gunboats and a logistic/landing ship. We will also deploy an Islander aircraft,” ani Tonsay.

Nilinaw din nito na walang kinalaman ang tensyon sa Spratlys ang gagawing CARAT dahil ito’y taunang ginagawa sa loob ng nakalipas na 10 taon.

Kaugnay nito, iniulat kahapon ng Malacañang na pinalalakas na ng pamahalaan ang kapasidad ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) para sa mas epektibong proteksyon sa karagatan ng Pilipinas.

abante.com.ph

US Naval units due for exercises

By Victor Reyes
Malaya, Tuesday, June 14, 2011

TWO United States destroyers and a salvage ship are proceeding to the country later this month to take part in exercises with their Filipino counterparts off Palawan.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay however said the exercises, dubbed Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) has nothing to do with the renewed territorial dispute over the Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea.

Tonsay said the annual training exercises would be pursued east of Palawan or in the Sulu Sea from June 28 up to July 8. The Spratlys - claimed by the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei - is located west of Palawan.

Tonsay said the three US ships taking part in the exercises are USS Chung-Hoon and USS Howard, which are classified as destroyer ships; and USNS Safeguard, a rescue and salvage ship. He could not immediately say how many US servicemen will take part.

He said the USS Chung-Hoon is currently somewhere in international waters in the West Philippine Sea.

The CARAT exercises have been held for more than 10 years. The US is also conducting similar exercises with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Tonsay statement’s came after Vietnam began yesterday conducting live fire exercises in its claimed territory in the South China Sea.

Like the Philippines, Vietnam recently accused China of violating its sovereignty.

malaya.com.ph

RP-US naval exercises in Palawan

By Aaron Recuenco

Manila Bulletin, Tuesday, June 14, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the rising tension over the disputed Spratly Islands, the naval forces of the United States and the Philippines will be holding almost two weeks of military war games off Palawan late this month.

But Marines Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman, said the joint military exercises are not a show of force with the country’s long-time ally, although the site of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) for this year is proximate to the disputed island group.

“This is not related to that issue, this has been planned long before,” said Tonsay.

The Spratlys controversy cropped anew after the Philippines accused China of bullying and intruding in the disputed island groups which was backed up by another claimantcountry, Vietnam.

While the Philippines and Vietnam have been very vocal on the alleged bullying, it was Vietnam which reportedly started live-fire exercises near the disputed island group.

Tonsay would not confirm Vietnam’s live-fire drill, but stressed that no live-fire exercises are scheduled in the joint exercises between US and Philippines navies from June 28 to July 8.

What were initially listed, he revealed, are diving exercises, salvage exercises at sea, and sea training exercise, among others.

But even if there would be live-fire exercises, Tonsay stressed that other claimant-countries should not intervene for as long as they are held in international waters and within their respective territories.

“It (Vietnam live-fire drill) is not a provocative action, it is not a threat to security for as long as it is held in international waters or within its territory,” said Tonsay.

“In the same way that they are not supposed to take actions if we hold exercises within our territorial waters, all they could do is to monitor,” he added.

He said the CARAT activities is definitely not a provocative action on the part of the Philippines since both the US and the Philippines have been holding the exercises for 10 years now.

It was not clear, however, if this year’s CARAT will be held off Palawan for the first time. All that Tonsay could confirm is that CARAT activities are rotated in various parts of the country since it began 10 years ago.

“The objective is interoperability, our ability to operate with the US and vice versa and exchange of doctrinal and tactical best practices,” said Tonsay.

Tonsay revealed that three US ships will participate in the war games—USNS Safeguard, USS Howard and USS Chung Hoon— and will be joined by four Philippine Navy ships.

mb.com.ph

US, Southeast Asian navies hold drills in hotspots

By AP

Philippine Star, Tuesday, June 14, 2011

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The US Navy and Southeast Asian naval forces have begun 10 days of attack drills aimed at combating pirates, terrorists and smugglers in Asia's maritime trouble spots.

Philippine navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay says the annual drills that started Tuesday will involve a US warship with about 100 sailors and counterpart forces from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Tonsay says the USS Safeguard will travel to each of the six Southeast Asian nations and conduct a series of bilateral combat maneuvers, including surveillance, tracking and interdiction of mock enemy vessels while other participants monitor from their countries.

The drills will be held in such trouble spots as the Malacca Strait and the Sulu Sea.

philstar.com

3 US warships join war games

By Dona Pazzibugan, Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Three American warships and four Philippine Navy vessels will take part in naval training exercises between the Philippines and the United States to be held June 28-July 8 in the Sulu Sea.

The Philippine Navy said holding this year’s Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercise in the waters east of Palawan province had been arranged before the renewed conflict with China over the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

“It had been planned beforehand,” said Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, the Navy spokesperson.

“It’s been going on for more than 10 years now … Last year it was held in the Zambales area, this year in the Palawan area, next year it will be in the Zamboanga area,” Tonsay added, explaining that the venue is rotated among the six naval forces around the country.

Tonsay said it was not the first time the annual exercise would be held in the Sulu Sea.

The last Carat exercise took place in October last year at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority area in Zambales province where the former American naval base used to be.

Five Philippine Navy ships with about 1,000 sailors and Marines then trained with more than 3,000 of their American counterparts brought in by six US Navy vessels and three aircraft that participated in the annual exercise.

Tonsay said this year’s Carat exercise involved sea training, salvage, diving, community relations work and experts exchange.

It will not include live-fire drills, he said.

The participating US warships are the destroyers USS Chung-Hoon and USS Howard, and a rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard.

Tonsay said the USS Chung-Hoon was in international waters west of the Philippines but had not yet entered Philippine territory.

Carat is conducted in accordance with the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty. It aims to ensure interoperability between the Philippine Navy and US Navy and a venue for the exchange of doctrinal and tactical best practices.

Inquirer News

US ships off to Palawan for PHL-US naval exercises

GMA news, Monday, June 13, 2011

Two United States Navy destroyers and a salvage ship are sailing to the Philippines this month for naval training exercises with Filipino counterparts off Palawan province, a Philippine Navy official said Monday.

The naval exercises come at a time of renewed tensions between the Philippines and China over the alleged intrusion of Chinese vessels into Philippine territorial waters near Palawan, but Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the situation is a mere coincidence.

“Hindi related," said Tonsay in an interview Monday. “Matagal na siyang ginaganap between [the] third and second quarters. So, talagang every year."

Dubbed as the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training or CARAT, the exercises will be held from June 28 to July 8 within the Sulu Sea, just east of Palawan.

The US ships involved are the USS Chung-Hoon and USS Howard — a class of destroyers — and the rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard. As he is not privy to the information, Tonsay could not immediately say how many US servicemen will join CARAT.

From the Philippines, the official said four Navy ships will take part in the exercises. He also did not have the information on which ships and how many Filipino servicemen will take part in the naval exercises.

US and Philippine naval forces have been pursuing CARAT for over 10 years now. The US has the same arrangement with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Exchange of best practices

“The objective is interoperability, our ability to operate with the US and vice versa and exchange of doctrinal and tactical best practices. We adopt their best practices if we can, and vice versa," Tonsay said.

Tonsay announcement came on the heels of a similar report from Vietnam which has staged live fire exercises within its territorial waters in the South China Sea. Like the Philippines, Vietnam has recently accused China of violating its sovereignty.

Apart from military operations, Tonsay that CARAT shall encompass community relations, diving and salvage exercises, and other “at-sea" training exercises, as well as subject matter expert exchange.

“In at-sea or fleeting training exercises, all will be covered. All tactics involved at sea will be covered…" he added.

GMA news

Joint naval exercise not linked to West Philippine Sea row - Navy

By Abigail Kwok, Monday, June 13, 2011

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines and the United States are set
to hold joint naval exercises on Sulu Sea, off the coast of Palawan,
later this month, but a Navy spokesman here said these were not at all related to the dispute over the West Philippine Sea.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said Monday the Cooperation Afloat
Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises will be held from June 28 to
July 8 on Sulu Sea, specifically east of Puerto Princesa City. Joint US
and Philippine military forces will hold a series of activities such
as diving exercises, salvage exercises, sea training exercise and
community relations.

"The objective, as always, is interoperability, specifically on our
ability to operate with the US and vice versa and exchange of
doctrinal and tactical best practices. We will observe and adopt their
best practices and vice versa," Tonsay told reporters.

The official denied that the exercises were connected to the ongoing
tension over the Spratly Islands, where the Philippines recently filed
a diplomatic protest against China for its incursions on
Philippine-claimed territories.

"It's not related... and the exercises are being done annually, between
the second and third quarter of every year," Tonsay said.

Three US ships -- USS Chung Hoon, USS Howard, and USNS Safeguard --
are expected to participate in the exercises.

Tonsay stressed that the CARAT exercises have been held annually for over
10 years now, with the venue rotating in various parts of the country.

InterAksyon

Joint PH-US navy training off Palawan all set for end of June

By Philippine News Agency, Monday, June 13, 2011

Amid rising tensions off Palawan and in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy said it is all set for an annual naval training exercise with the United States Navy, slated for June 28 to July 8, off Palawan shorelines.

The joint training exercise, dubbed Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training or CARAT, is mandated under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty. This year’s exercise will be held east of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and in Sulu Sea.

CARAT 2011 is a combined naval tactical operations exercise involving fleet forces of both the Philippine and U.S. navies.

PN spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Omar Tonsay said the exercise is not related to the dispute on Spratly islands. “We’ve been doing this (for more than a decade), so there’s no politics here,” he stressed.

Several activities, including non-military events, are lined up for the exercise. These include community relations projects and medical/dental/engineering civic action projects in host communities.

Tonsay told reporters CARAT’s goal is to strengthen the cooperation between the PHL and U.S. navies in thwarting intercontinental and trans-border crimes, piracy and maritime terrorism which are growing concerns of the global community.

He said CARAT has been done for more than 10 years already. Last year, it was held off Zambales province.
Tonsay said he does not have the figures yet on how many troops and number of ships will be deployed for CARAT 2011, but the U.S. Navy is sending USS Chung Hoon, USS Howard and USNS Safeguard.

interaksyon.com

Phl, US to hold war games

By Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star, Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Philippines and the United States are set to embark on a joint naval exercise late this month, but officials said the tensions in the West Philippine Sea have nothing to do with the programmed war drill.

The military confirmed the holding of the joint naval exercises as China warned the US should not get involved in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea since “the US is not a party to the dispute.”

“The joint naval exercise will start on June 28 at the Naval Forces West (Navforwest),” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez said.

“It has been programmed since last year,” Rodriguez added. There has been no announcement yet of the specific location of the military exercises but Navforwest operates mainly in the Sulu Sea and nearby waters.

The planned naval exercise, called “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training” or CARAT, is in accordance with the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US, officials said.

This year’s CARAT exercise is aimed at testing the capability of the two navies to undertake “freedom of navigation operations.”

Philippine military officials announced the coming naval maneuvers amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea stoked by alleged intrusions by Chinese vessels into Philippine waters and into disputed territories, particularly the Spratly Islands Group.

Vietnam earlier announced plans for a nine-hour live fire naval exercise tentatively set for tomorrow off central Quang Nam province, apparently in response to increased Chinese activities near the Spratlys.

The US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon is underway to participate in the CARAT.

Considered as one of the most powerful warships in the US Navy, the Arleigh Burke class destroyer left its home port at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii late last week and may now be in international waters near the Sulu Sea.

AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said the arrival of Chung-Hoon has nothing to do with the territorial spat with China.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the US Navy vessel has yet to make contact and that it might have to complete a separate mission before sailing to the Philippines.

“There’s no need for them (Chung-Hoon officers) to coordinate with us their activities while they are still in international waters. They will inform us anyway once they reach port. Maybe they have other activities before CARAT,” Tonsay said.

He said the details of the coming joint naval war drill are still being worked out. “We are having a planning conference next week,” he said.

Counting on US

Malacañang, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the country can count on US support in defending its sovereignty but emphasized the preeminence of diplomacy in settling territorial disputes.

“We are committed to the resolution of the issue in the most diplomatic and the most peaceful way possible. I haven’t seen the terms of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) quite recently but I know that as an ally the United States will help should it reach that point because of the Mutual Defense Treaty,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB.

She said the AFP leadership would likely take up the territorial issue in the upcoming Philippines-US Mutual Defense Board meeting in Hawaii in August, but she is not aware if President Aquino has specific instructions to Oban.

“As a security issue, that will depend entirely on Gen. Oban. But since it is a security issue, it is normal to talk about the issue in that kind of meeting, but I imagine one way or the other, it will be discussed,” Valte said.

China cautions US

China, meanwhile, cautioned the US to keep its hands off the issue.

“What should be done to settle the territorial dispute should be done on the basis of a bilateral term so the US is not a party to the dispute,” Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said during a forum on Thursday at the Chinese embassy.

“I understand its (US) concern which is really unnecessary, after all this maritime water has always been safe and peaceful,” Liu said.

“We’ve been all trying to make this area a peaceful, stable one and so far the navigation in this area has always been safe and peaceful. So there’s no excuse for an intervention in this area,” Liu said.

“The territorial dispute is a dispute between the claimant parties, not really with a country that’s outside this region that has no relevance to the territorial dispute in this region,” he added.

The ambassador also said any visit by Philippine lawmakers to the disputed territories would be tantamount to encroachment.

Also on Friday, the US said it is troubled by tensions in the South China Sea and urged countries with stakes in the region to work for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

“We’ve been troubled by some of these reports about the South China Sea and believe they only serve to raise tensions and don’t help with the peace and security of the region,” said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

“We support a collaborative diplomatic process... and call on all claimants to conform all of their claims, both land and maritime, to international law,” he said.

Rep. Neri Colmenares of the militant party-list group Bayan Muna, for his part, urged President Aquino yesterday not to involve the US in the Spratlys dispute.

He said the US has no business meddling in the Spratlys issue “because it is not part of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) or even Asia.”

“The forum for the resolution of the issue is ASEAN plus China,” he said.

He added that the Aquino administration should not accept excess defense equipment supposedly being dangled by the US in exchange for its being allowed to meddle in the Spratlys conflict.

Earlier, he urged the administration to elevate the Spratlys issue to ASEAN or the United Nations.

Let DFA do the talking

Sen. Francis Escudero said Aquino’s aides should refrain from issuing statements on the issue and let officials trained in diplomacy do the job.

Escudero, an ally of Aquino, was reacting to Valte’s declaration of confidence in US readiness - in accordance with the MDT - to help the country in the event of open hostilities with China.

Escudero said the DFA should do the talking “instead of the Palace through its spokesperson in order to avoid any faux pas on our part.”

“I urge Palace officials to carefully review the MDT and read through its fine print and get confirmations from the US government through its ambassador if indeed this situation is covered or what the limitations there may be to the application of the MDT from the point of view of the US government,” Escudero said.

Escudero said US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., while calling for the full implementation of the 2002 Declaration of Conduct between China and ASEAN, also appealed for calm and stressed that Washington takes no side on the issue.

“I really am hopeful that this issue can be settled without bloodshed and if at all this should escalate, we really have an ally in the US not only as stipulated in the MDT but as a gesture of long-standing friendship,” Escudero said.

“The last thing we like to see happening is to be encouraged and to be emboldened to fight with an assurance of an ally but find ourselves alone in the field. Only because we did not do our own compliance, like checking what we really have in fine print with the US,” he added.

philstar.com

Suspected JI finance officer falls

By Jaime Laude,

Philippine Star,Friday, June 3, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - A Malaysian national suspected to have links to the regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) was arrested after he was monitored to be actively propagating the teachings of slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, in a joint intelligence operation by naval intelligence and immigration agents in Davao del Sur recently.

Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman, said the arrest of Abdul Aziz Usman, also known as Aziz Bin Othman, in Barangay Inawayan, Sta. Cruz town last May 9 came after almost a month of surveillance conducted by the Naval Intelligence and Security Group based in eastern Minda­nao.

Immigration reports said 50-year-old Usman was suspected to be working as a finance officer for JI, which has links to the Abu Sayyaf.

Usman was turned over to the immigration bureau in Davao for custody and further questioning.

Tonsay said Usman failed to present legal documents of his stay in the country. He was arrested while he was about to marry a Filipina in Muslim rites at a mosque in Barangay Inawayan.

Prior to his arrest, Usman was reportedly monitored to be actively advocating the cause and teachings of bin Laden among local Muslims.

Arrested along with Usman was his aide Omar Abu, also believed to be a Malaysian national as he cannot speak Tagalog or any local dialect.

Tonsay said Usman was initially seen attending a local gathering in Sta. Cruz town in the first week of May.

The Navy said it was still conducting a background check to determine the true identity and affiliation of Usman.

– With Evelyn Macairan

Philstar.com

Former finance sec, private sector move to save the PH navy

By Donna Z Pazzibugan

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tuesday, May 24, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Prominent figures in politics, business and civil society, led by former Finance Secretary Jesus Estanislao, have taken up the cudgels for the Philippine Navy by leading a fund-raising and support drive.

They have taken it upon themselves to organize a foundation that seeks to marshal support and resources from the private sector to support the Navy’s modernization and capability-building programs.

They would serve as the founding board of trustees of the “Support Your Navy Foundation”, which was formally launched Tuesday during the Navy’s 113rd anniversary rites.

The multi-sectoral group, however, has served as board of advisers to the Navy since last year.

“We accepted the invitation of the Flag Officer in Command (Vice Admiral Alexander Pama) to serve as board of advisers to save the Navy because we wanted to bring down the many walls keeping the various sectors of society apart,” Estanislao told Navy officers and personnel during the anniversary program.

“We decided to take the lead … We want to say that our Philippine Navy can not do it alone. Our Navy needs the support of all sectors,” added Estanislao, who is chairman of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia.

In his own speech, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin did not mince words as he described the Navy’s state as “truly deplorable” since it has no modern ships and vessels, and hardly any aircraft. The Navy is still using 65-year-old warships from World War II.

“We have thus solicited the support of our stakeholders through the representation of the members of the Navy board of advisers, like-minded professionals who believe in the advocacies of the Navy,” Pama said during the anniversary.

He said the board of advisers has “voluntarily champion(ed) such well-meaning cause through their wise counsel and sound advice on the Navy’s strategic concerns.”

Estanislao said the Support your Navy Foundation would serve as a “major bridge” between the Navy and the private sector to achieve the Navy Sail Plan goal of becoming a “strong and credible Navy” by 2020.

“We believe that together we can become a great maritime nation. We hope we can contribute to a strong Navy,” he said.

The other members of the foundation’s board of trustees are former senator Leticia Shahani; Development Bank of the Philippines president Francisco Del Rosario; Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos; National Economic and Development Authority Deputy Director General Margarita Songco; newspaper columnist Jarius Bondoc, former defense undersecretary and Asia Pacific Security Forum president Rodel Cruz; retired vice admiral Eduardo Santos; Asian Architects co-managing partner Miguel Guerrero; University of the Philippines professor Aileen Baviera; lawyer Antonio Oposa; and Doris Magsaysay-Ho of the Magsaysay Group of Companies.

Pama and Capt. Augustus Iglesia who is director of the Naval Resource Management Office, will serve as ex-officio trustees.

Capt. Giovanni Bacordo, director of the Center for Naval Leadership and Excellence, said the foundation would help fund Navy programs since seventy per cent of their budget goes to personnel salaries, while the rest goes to maintenance and operating expenses so there is hardly left for capital outlay.

“Through this foundation, we will no longer be one hundred per cent dependent on the GAA (General Appropriations Act) for the things we need,” he said.

Bacordo said donations to be raised by the foundation may include equipment upgrades, scholarships for Navy personnel, housing facilities and other morale and welfare programs.

He said the foundation would be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June or July.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said through the foundation, well-meaning private groups and individuals could actively participate in the Navy’s programs.

newsinfo.inquirer.net

DND chief graces PHL Navy’s 113th anniversary rites

By PNA and Southern California News Agency/ Asian

The Southern California Pinoy News, Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin graced the 113th founding anniversary on Tuesday of the Philippine Navy (PN) at the PN headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Manila.

The celebration had the theme, “A Vital Partner for Peace, Security and Development of our Maritime Nation.”

Highlight of the event was the launching of the “Support your PN Foundation,” send-off ceremony for gunboats BRP Manuel Gomez (PG388), BRP Emilio Liwanag (PG118), and supply ship BRP Dagupan City (LC551) and Static Equipment Display and Demonstration.

The two gunboats and the supply ships are for anti-terror security operations in the Sulu Sea next week.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the gunboats are deployed under the Fleet-Marine concept, the Navy’s program devoted to fighting terror in several areas of Western Mindanao.

“They are bringing in supplies and logistics to our units in Western Mindanao. Included in their mission is the conduct of maritime security patrols,” Tonsay said.

Commander Kenneth Tingabngab of the Navy’s Modernization Office said the two gunboats were acquired from South Korea and were upgraded in Navotas City.

He said the Philippine government paid only US$ 100 for the repair of each ship as these were practically donated by South Korea as a goodwill measure.

The 110-foot tall patrol mediums were manufactured in the 1980s and primarily for patrolling and interdiction.

usnewslasvegas.asia

Philippine Navy, Red Alert on Storm Cheden

By Nathan Buenaventura

Philippine News Daily, Tuesday, May 24, 2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Navy forces across the country are all set for the expected calamity storm Chedeng may brought to the country.

According to the director of Naval Public Affairs Office, Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay who is based in Metro Manila, they already have alerted all their six naval forces assigned in primary regions in the Philippines.

Tonsay explained that every naval force has at least two disaster response teams, a truck and two rubber boats.

Even their Fleet Marine Ready Force is now standing-by ready to assist all those who will be affected by storm Chedeng.

Meanwhile, the government is also reminding all people, particularly in the affected regions to stay alert and prepare for evacuation order when necessary.

Philippinenewsdaily.com

Navy to deploy 2 gunboats, supply ship for anti-terror operations

By Jaime Laude

Philippine Star, Sunday, May 22, 2011

Manila, Philippines - The Navy will deploy two gunboats and a supply ship for anti-terror security operations in the Sulu Sea next week.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama would officially send off BRP Manuel Gomez, BRP Emilio Liwanag and BRP Dagupan City to show its commitment to upgrade its capability.

The deployment of the gunboats and supply ship will coincide with the Navy’s 113th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Tonsay said the gunboats would be deployed under the Fleet-Marine concept, the Navy’s program devoted to fighting terror in several areas of Western Mindanao.

“They will be bringing in supplies and logistics to our units in Western Mindanao. Included in their mission is the conduct of maritime security patrols,” Tonsay said.

Cmdr. Kenneth Tingabngab of the Navy’s Modernization Office said the two gunboats were acquired from South Korea and were upgraded in Navotas City.

He said the Philippine government paid only $100 for each ship as these were practically donated by South Korea as a goodwill measure.

“By letting the local firms undertake the upgrade, we can generate jobs and promote the local shipyard industry,” Tingabngab said.

The 110-foot tall patrol killer mediums were manufactured in the 1980s and primarily for patrolling and interdiction.

The upgrade involved the refurbishment of the ships’ guns, engines, generators, sensors and communication items. The Navy has six patrol killer mediums in its inventory.

Tingabngab said they are also expecting the delivery of a locally manufactured landing craft utility in August.

Philippine Iron Construction and Marine Works in Misamis Oriental manufactured the 51-meter craft, which cost P178 million.

“Tapping the local industry has advantages. We encourage the local firms to upgrade and we create employment,” Tingabngab said.

The Navy also expects the delivery of three multi-purpose attack craft worth P276 million in December.

“These (multi-purpose attack crafts) can be used for special operations. We already have three of them in the inventory and we will add three more,” Tingabngab said.

He said the Navy’s modernization efforts would boost the morale of troops.

“It brings confidence to the people if they are well-equipped. They will also have a fighting edge,” Tingabngab said.

Other Navy projects to be implemented this year are the one-ton troop carrier (P45,999), two-ton troop and cargo carrier (P80,499), the upgrade of Jacinto class patrol vessel (P353.65 million) and configuration of a 20W radio (P231 million).

The Navy is searching for ways to upgrade its capability as it cannot rely solely on its yearly budget, which is usually allotted for salaries and operational expenses.

It has bared plans to solicit assistance from private firms and individuals who want to help in improving its capabilities. -With Alexis Romero

philstar.com