By Jaime Laude

Philippine Star, Monday, July 18, 2011

By Jaime Laude - The Philippine Navy’s newly acquired cutter from the United States (US) Coast Guard is arriving in the country in three weeks’ time and after some refinements will be immediately deployed to secure the country’s territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea, Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said yesterday.

Pama flew to California yesterday in time for tomorrow’s sendoff of BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) for a long voyage home, with stopovers in Hawaii and Guam for replenishment.

“The sendoff will signal the last activities for BRP Gregorio del Pilar in the US and to start its journey to the Philippines,” Pama said.

He said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., US Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West commander Vice Admiral Manson Brown and Philippine defense and Armed Forces attaché to the US Navy Capt. Antonio Habulan Jr. will be around during the official sendoff ceremony.

Aside from the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the government is also shopping for additional military assets in the US in line with the capability upgrade program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to be used for its territorial defense amid the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea brought about overlapping claims over the Spratlys.

A former USCG cutter, the Hamilton Class vessel, which is also classified as Weather High Endurance Cutter (WHEC), will first undergo refinements in its weapon and electronic systems upon its arrival before its deployment for maritime security operations in Palawan.

To accommodate the newly acquired PF-15, Pama said the Navy is putting up a naval base in Hulugan Bay fronting the West Philippine Sea, which will serve at the vessel’s homeport.

The scheduled deployment of PF-15 in the West Philippine Sea is expected to further boost the Navy’s platform in the hotly contested region to include maritime security operations for the Malampaya project west of Palawan.

“The Philippine Navy intends to use this multi-mission vessel for operations such as maritime security patrols and search and rescue. But more importantly, it will be deployed to aid in the maritime security of the Malampaya project,” Pama said.

While PF-15 is classified as a WHEC in the US, the Philippine Navy has refitted and refurbished it as a surface combatant ship with a type code of “P” for patrol and is further classified as a frigate with a type code of “F,” hence the designation of “PF.”

The vessel is powered by combined diesel engines and gas turbines and is equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter operations.

With a total length of 378 feet, 42 inches beam, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be the Navy’s flagship.

www.philstar.com

Navy chief: 95 sailors to man new warship from US

GMA News, Monday, July 18, 2011

At least 95 Filipino sailors will man the Philippines' newest and biggest warship "BRP Gregorio del Pilar" in its voyage from the United States to the Philippines.

In a radio interview on dzRH radio on Monday, Navy flag officer-in-command Rear Admiral Alexander Pama said the ship will begin its trip to the Philippines on Monday (US time).

"Meron tayong 95 matipunong mandaragat na sasakay sa barko. Sila mismo maglalayag nito magiging tripulante ng barkong ito," said Pama, who is in San Francisco.

He said there will be a send-off ceremony on Monday (US time) before the ship leaves port for the Philippines.

Pama expressed confidence Filipinos will be satisfied with the capabilities of the ship, which was a former Hamilton-class US Coast Guard cutter.

The Philippines formally acquired the cutter on May 13.

"Mukhang masisiyahan ang ating kababayan pagdating diyan. Naka-schedule ito maglayag bukas. Harinawa tuloy-tuloy ito, bukas ating ise-sendoff ito para sila makalayag papunta sa Pilipinas," Pama said.

On Sunday, Malacañang said the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which will patrol areas near the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), will not likely to agitate China.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III had told the Philippine Navy that the government will upgrade the equipment of the Armed Forces to boost its capability to protect the country’s territory.

The ship will be used to ensure maritime security of the Malampaya Project, which is in the west of Palawan in the waters near the disputed Spratly Islands. - VVP, GMA News

www.gmanews.tv

New PN ship sailing home

Tempo, Sunday, July 17, 2011

Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Alexander Pama announced that the newly acquired PN ship Hamilton Class US cOast Guard Cutter is all set to all sail from San Francisco, California, United States tomorrow and head to its new home in the Philippines.

Pama will join the sendoff for the new PN ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) for her three week voyage to the Philippines.

The Navy chief said the sendoff will the signal the last leg of activities for BRP Gregorio del Pilar in the US and will start the first leg of its journey for the Philippines.

"All preparations have been made for this long trip home as the actual send -off takes place on July 18, 2011 at 4 p.m." said Pama who will be flying to the US for the activity. The ship was turned over to the Philippine government on May 13 during rites attended by Philippine Ambassador to United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr., US Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West Commandnder Vice Admiral Manson K Brown, and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache to the US PN Captain Antonio A. Habulan Jr.

Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said the send-off marks the second leg in the PF-15's voyage towards Philippine Maritime Security Operations, the first being the turnover.

Ex-cutter is Navy's newest ship

By Elena L Aben
Manila Bulletin, Saturday, July 16,2011

MANILA, Philippines — A Hamilton-class cutter of the United States Coast Guard will set sail from San Francisco, California, USA for the Philippines on July 18 to begin its new life as a ship of the Philippine Navy.

Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama will join the send-off for the ship, which will be christened BRP Gregorio del Pilar, for her three-week voyage to the Philippines.

Pama said the send-off will signal the last leg of activities for Gregorio del Pilar in the US before it heads for the country.

“All preparations have been made for this long trip home as the actual send-off takes place on July 18, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.,” said Pama who will be flying to the US for the activity.

The ship was turned over to the Philippine government last May 13 during turnover rites attended by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia Jr., US Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West Commander, Vice Admiral Manson K. Brown; and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache to the US, Navy Captain Antonio A. Habulan Jr. Aside from Pama, Philippine Deputy General Consul to San Francisco Wilfredo Santos will also attend the send-off for the Gregorio del Pilar.

The Navy’s spokesman, Col. Omar Tonsay, said the cutter was acquired through the United States Excess Defense Act (EDA) using Department of Energy Malampaya Project funds.

The ship will stop over in Hawaii and Guam for replenishment before continuing on to the Philippines.

Gregorio del Pilar was largely used by the US Coast Guard for drug and migrant interdiction, law enforcement, search and rescue, living marine resources protection, and defense readiness.

The Philippine Navy intends to use the multi-mission vessel for maritime security patrols and search and rescue.

More specifically, it will be deployed to aid in maritime security in the Malampaya Project west of Palawan, an area where there are several oil exploration projects.

The ship was specifically designated as a Weather High Endurance Cutter (WHEC). In the Philippines, it will be re-classified as a Surface Combatant Ship with a “Type Code” of “P” for Patrol and is further classified as a Frigate with a “Type Code” of “F”, hence the designation of “PF”.

Pama said the ship is powered by combined diesel engines and gas turbines and equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter operations.

The Gregorio del Pilar measures 378 feet from bow to stern and has a displacement (Full Load) of 3,390 tons.

It has a maximum speed of 26 knots and a range of 14,000 nautical miles.

It can stay at sea for 30 days and has a crew of 18 officers and 144 enlisted men

www.mb.com.ph

Newly acquired Navy vessel from US arriving

By Jaime Laude
Philippine Star, Sunday, July 17, 2011

Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Navy’s newly acquired cutter from the United States (US) Coast Guard is arriving in the country in three weeks’ time and after some refinements will be immediately deployed to secure the country’s territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea. Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said yesterday.

Pama flew to California yesterday in time for tomorrow’s sendoff of BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) for a long voyage home, with stopovers in Hawaii and Guam for replenishment.

“The sendoff will signal the last activities for BRP Gregorio del Pilar in the US and to start its journey to the Philippines,” Pama said.

He said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., US Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West commander Vice Admiral Manson Brown and Philippine defense and Armed Forces attaché to the US Navy Capt. Antonio Habulan Jr. will be around during the official sendoff ceremony.

Aside from the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the government is also shopping for additional military assets in the US in line with the capability upgrade program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to be used for its territorial defense amid the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea brought about overlapping claims over the Spratlys.

A former USCG cutter, the Hamilton Class vessel, which is also classified as Weather High Endurance Cutter (WHEC), will first undergo refinements in its weapon and electronic systems upon its arrival before its deployment for maritime security operations in Palawan.

To accommodate the newly acquired PF-15, Pama said the Navy is putting up a naval base in Hulugan Bay fronting the West Philippine Sea, which will serve at the vessel’s homeport.

The scheduled deployment of PF-15 in the West Philippine Sea is expected to further boost the Navy’s platform in the hotly contested region to include maritime security operations for the Malampaya project west of Palawan.

“The Philippine Navy intends to use this multi-mission vessel for operations such as maritime security patrols and search and rescue. But more importantly, it will be deployed to aid in the maritime security of the Malampaya project,”Pama said.

While PF-15 is classified as a WHEC in the US, the Philippine Navy has refitted and refurbished it as a surface combatant ship with a type code of “P” for patrol and is further classified as a frigate with a type code of “F,” hence the designation of “PF.”

The vessel is powered by combined diesel engines and gas turbines and is equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter operations.

With a total length of 378 feet, 42 inches beam, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be the Navy’s flagship.

philstar.com

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

MajGen Ramiro A. Alivio AFP, magiting na Naval Inspector General, trabaho lang!

By Pasky Natividad
Saksi sa Balita, Thursday, June 9, 2011

Mga katoto kamakailan ay personal na nakapanayam ng inyong katoto si MajGen. Ramiro 'RAM' A. Alivio, produkto ng Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class'79, kung saan kasalukuyang Inspector General ng The Naval Inspector General (TNIG) isang marangal at huwarang Heneral ng Philippine Marine Corps. (PMC), kung saan bantad sa karanasan, maging sa pakikipagtungo at pakikibaka sa katotohanan wika ni katoto, "TRABAHO LANG", naalalaumbagay sa matiyagang pagpupunyagi, naipamalas ang dakilang layuning maitaas ang antas ng PMC.

Batid niyo ba mga katoto, dumanas na ng kung ilang madugong engkentro simula pa ng maitalagang Tinyente hanggang LtCol si katotong Alivio sa ilang kritikal na lugar bago nito narating ang tugatog ng tagumpay hanggang sa maitalaga itong Brigade Commander ng Combat Service and Support Brigade, at sa kasalukuyang bilang The Naval Inspector General (TNIG), patuloy na nagsasagawa ng Annual General Inspection (AGI) sa buong Philippine Navy (PN) Units ng bansa.

Ayon kay katotong Alivio, sa pamamagitan ng AGIs ang Office of The Naval Inspector General(OTNIG) ay nagtamo ng napakahalagang accomplishment na nakadagdag ng malaking pagbabago sa PN units, kung saan posibleng naganap ito sa pamamagitan ng pag adapt ng bagong PN AGI Process para sa taong 2010 na inaprobahan ni katotong PN FOIC, Vice Admiral Alexander Pama nitong nakalipas na buwan ng Enero kung saan may tatlong pangunahing AGI Ratings kabilang na dito ang Performance Rating, OPREVAL, at Rating in Unit Efficiency Rating.

Sa ilalim ng PN AGI Performance Rating mga katoto ay may apat na pangunahing criteria kabilang na dito ang Office Management, Accomplishment Validation, Drills and Exercises, Morale and Discipline Survey (MADS), at ang Inspection of Personnel and Barracks, kungsaan ang tanging layunin ng nasabing emphasis ay maimpluwensiyahan ang PN units na mag ambag ng kanilang sariling pinaiiral na polisiya at pamamaraan na pinaguutos ng Higher Headquarters.

Gayon din ang pinaiiral na Operational Readiness Evaluation Ratings (OR) na may limang bahagi kabilang na ang Personnel Readiness, Training Readiness, Equipment Readiness, Maintenance readiness, at Facilities, kung saan ang readiness condition ng PN ay bahagyang nabago noong nakaraang taong rating na 62.5% kumpara sa ngayong taon rating na 66.2% kung saan ang PR bilang naging output ng yunit at ang OR naman ang siyang naging input ng yunit na kapuwa ito nagdulot ng basehan na makuha ang Efficiency Rating (ER) ng yunit, ito ang magandang basehan para sa assessment kumpara sa mga yunit na nais masubok ang kagalingang makagawa ng bagay na maiambag sa PN sa kabila ng pinagkukunang kaloob sa yunit sa parte ng naturang Operational Readiness.

"With these notable contributions, the Office of The Naval Inspector General is confident that the Philippine Navy, our Navy, will become strong and credible 2020, " wika pa ni katotong Alivio. Onwards Philippine Navy

Philippine Navy launches Admiral’s Cup to mark 113th anniversary

Gold Star Daily, Friday, May 06, 2011

THE Philippine Navy (PN) commenced its Admiral's Cup Tuesday at the Navy Headquarters on Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, in commemoration of the 113th Navy Anniversary this May 20.

A yearly event to highlight sportsmanship and camaraderie among the Fleet-Marine Team, the Admiral's Cup signals a two week-long event composed of several aqua sports and other traditional sports.

Participated in by all units from the Navy all over the Philippines, this sporting event hopes to strengthen both mind, body, and spirit among all Navymen.

Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Admiral Alexander Pama said, "This year's Admiral's Cup must ensure the value of enhancing brotherhood between the Navy's Fleet-Marine Team to further its partnership."

He added that sporting events such as this should form part of the Navy's year round sports activities to promote the Navyman's physical fitness program.

Among the breaking sports are the Tug-of-War and the Rubber Boat Race at the nearby Manila Yacht Club Basin.

A parade of participating contingents opened the ceremony followed by the traditional Oath of Sportsmanship lead by Col. Ernesto Ravina Jr, the Naval Special Services Officer. pna

Gold Star Daily

Balikatan Exercise 2011 set in April

Sunstar, Monday, March 28, 2011

THE Philippine Navy is gearing up for Balikatan Exercise 2011 set on April 5 to 15 2011 in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog areas.

The Navy’s sailors and marines will meet with their US counterparts in a series of drills, both on land and at sea, to promote interoperability between the two armed forces, said Navy spokesman Captain Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

Bacordo said the Navy’s air and surface assets manned by sailors and aviators will see action in a series of maneuvers and evolutions at sea, while Navy’s SEALs will be involved in Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercises.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Marines will be trained in amphibious landing/raid with their US counterparts.

Fleet-Marine officers will also be involved in the Rapid Response Planning Process (R2P2) aboard a US Navy ship while enroute from South Harbor, Manila to Subic Bay.

Navy chief Rear Admiral Alexander Pama earlier vowed to work on the acquisition of important naval hardware such as the MRV, off-shore patrol vessels, multi-purpose helicopters and amphibious assault vessels and other equipment.

Aside from the drills and professional exchanges between the two armed forces, the Philippines and the US will also field in military doctors, nurses, and other medical workers to conduct free medical and dental services to local residents in the exercise venues.

Likewise, military engineers will also be involved in construction projects during the Balikatan.

sunstar.com

AFP chief, 20 pa aprub sa CA

By C.Martin/N.Aclan

Hataw, Thursday, March 24, 2011

KINOMPIRMA na ng panel ng Commission on Appointments ang appointments ni Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban at 20 iba pang opisyal.

Walang tumutol na mga miyembro ng CA’s committee on national defense nang irekomenda para sa plenary action ang nominasyon kay Oban para maging heneral.

Bukod kay Oban, ang 20 military officials na inaprubahan ng komite ay sina Marlon Cosue, Colonel (Medical Corps); Cheston Valencerina, Colonel (Corps of Professors); Nestor Losbanes, Read Admiral (Armed Forces of the Philippines); Arnel Dorado, Colonel (Philippine Army); Ernesto Aradanas, Brigadier General (AFP); Ramil Roberto Enriquez, Captain (Philippine Navy); Nelson Dancel, Colonel (Medical Corps); Fernando Gomez, Colonel (Philippine Navy-Marines); Hilario Vicente Lagnada, Colonel (Philippine Navy); Marjorie Filoteo, Colonel (Veterinary Corps); Wilfredo Ona, Brigadier General (AFP); Antonino Gascon Jr., Commodore (AFP); Alexander Pama, Vice Admiral (AFP); Roberto Morales, Major General (AFP); Nicanor Dolojan, Brigadier General (AFP); Eduardo Lacanienta, Brigadier General (AFP); Ramon Tan, Colonel (Medical Corps); Edwin Leo Torrelavega, Colonel (Medical Corps); Angelita Larin, Colonel (Medical Corps); at Fred Payawan, Brigadier General (AFP).