Westcom to face intruders

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 4): Westcom to face intruders

AIR Force Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda on Tuesday said he was ready to face a new challenge after being named the new commander of the Western Command, which has jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea where China has been intruding into the country’s territorial waters.

“In view of this, let it be stressed that the Western Command serves as the forefront of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in safeguarding our interests in the vastness of Palawan and the Kalayaan Group of Islands,” Deveraturda said in his assumption speech after he was installed by Armed Forces Chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

Westcom is based in Puerto Princesa City but it lacks equipment to defend its territory adequately.

Also installed was Army Maj. Gen. John Bonafos from the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982 to take charge of Central Command based in Cebu City.

“Visayas region will rise up. We shall see the active involvement of both citizenry and government,” he said in his inaugural speech.

Bonafos led the Special Operations Command based in Nueva Ecija where among his possible successors include newly promoted Brig. Gen. Donato San Juan from PMA “Maharlika” Class of 1984.

The bulk of the Aquino administration’s P75-billion modernization program is earmarked for buying modern equipment for the Air Force and the Navy.

Part of the program is the acquisition of 12 Korean-made lead-in fighter jets worth P18.9 billion from Korea, but the talks between the Defense Department’s Bids and Awards Committee and aircraft manufacturer Korean Aerospace Inc. has stalled over some differences.

The Defense Department says KAI wants a 52-percent down payment and an exchange rate of P45 to $1, which is way beyond the 15-percent maximum down payment allowed by law.

Another crucial issue is the time of delivery and the warranty for spare parts.

Some defense sources who spoke on condition of anonymity say that if the Defense Department and KAI fail to close a deal this month, there is a possibility that the project will be shelved for good.

“The implementation of the project should start by January 2014, and if not the delivery schedule will go beyond 2016,” one of the sources said.

“I think this administration would not want the completion of the project to be credited to the next administration.”

Another source said the Air Force should look at its other options, including buying Gripen multi-role fighters being offered by SAAB of Sweden.

Deveraturda said his leadership would not be stalled by a lack of equipment.

“I will pursue my new responsibility with fervor and intensity as I have in my previous command, putting a premium on Security Sector Reform, IPSP [Internal Peace and Security Plan], Bayanihan and the role of the Armed Forces in national development,” Deveraturda said.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/12/04/westcom-to-face-intruders/