PH warship deployed to patrol West PH Sea, guard Malampaya

From Rappler (Dec 12): PH warship deployed to patrol West PH Sea, guard Malampaya

CAPABLE: Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler

As regional tension rises because of China's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), Philippine warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) was deployed on Thursday, December 12, to the Palawan-based Western Command (Wescom).

Wescom is in charge of securing the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea), Sulu Sea, Palawan, and the Kalayaan Group of Islands (Spratlys).

Wescom chief Lieutenant General Roy Deveraturda said it's a "routine mission." He reiterated that the military supports a peaceful resolution to the territorial disputes.

There are fears that China will build a similar ADIZ over the West Philippines Sea although Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said it's still "speculative" at this point.

Japan is also seeking the support of ASEAN countries to "jointly express some kind of political message on freedom of overflight and navigation on high seas." READ: Japan looks ASEAN backing on China at summit)

Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Gregory Gerald Fabic said Alcaraz is at Wescom to guard "critical infrastructures."

"PF 16 will be deployed in Wescom area of operations to include Kalayaan Group of Islands and some parts of the West Philippines Sea. PF 16 will be safeguarding critical infrastructures in Palawan like the Malampaya gas platform," said Fabic.

Fabic said Alcaraz and its twin ship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar are really intended for the West Philippines Sea. They are the navy's most capable warships and were acquired partly using funds from Malampaya.

Alcaraz was earlier deployed for its maiden mission to Tacloban City to assist in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. (READ and WATCH: Maiden voyage of PH's most capable warship)

Del Pilar is still in Tacloban City.

3 naval choppers arrive from Italy

Three brand-new naval choppers designed to patrol the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea) arrived from Italy this week. Two more are scheduled to arrive early next year.

Italian aircraft manufacturer AgustaWestland won the contract to supply the Philippine Navy 5 AW109 Power helicopters for P1.33 billion. The same manufacturer recently won a P3.4 billion contract to supply the Philippine Air Force 8 attack helicopters. (READ: Air Force gets 8 new attack helicopters)

"The naval choppers were designed to go with Philippine warships BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio Del Pilar. In general terms, they are meant to patrol our maritime borders," Philippine Fleet spokesman Lt. Junior Grade Rommel Rodriguez told Rappler.

Alcaraz and Del Pilar have a helideck for shipborne helicopter operations, allowing the Philippine Navy to patrol wider areas at sea.

The commissioning rites for the naval choppers are expected within the month.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/45781-choppers-west-philippines-sea-arrive