Sunday, August 9, 2015

Photo: Aussie donation

From The Standard (Aug 10): Photo: Aussie donation



A Navy man performs guard duty at the Navy Headquarters near the Cultural Center of the Philippines in front of one of two Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels donated by the Australian government to Philippines on Sunday. The vessels will be blessed in the presence of President Benigno Aquino III today. DANNY PATA

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/08/10/aussie-donation/

Photo: Operation Smile

From The Standard (Aug 10): Photo: Operation Smile



Volunteer doctors  onboard the USNS MERCY ship get into the act. The volunteers  have conducted 110  surgeries for free  to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformitiesof children-residents of Zambales and Bataan  for the past five days. The USNS MERCY is docked  in  Subic Bay  as part of the Pacific Partnership  with Capt. Christopher Engdahl as mission commander. REVOLI CORTEZ

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/08/10/operation-smile/

Iriberri on Golez's charge of '˜incompetence'™: I respect his view but I know my job

From InterAksyon (Aug 10): Iriberri on Golez's charge of '˜incompetence'™: I respect his view but I know my job



Armed Forces chief of staff General Hernando Iriberri said Sunday he respects the opinion of National Security Adviser now Paranaque City Rep. Roilo Golez, but strongly disputed the latter's description of him as “incompetent” for putting in the backburner a project boosting external defense amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“I respect his opinion…As I said during my interview after my assumption, I said my record will speak for itself,” Iriberri said in a phone interview. He once again thanked President Benigno Aquino for appointing him to the top military post.

Golez earlier weighed in on criticisms arising from Iriberri's move to push the realignment of financing meant for the P6.5-billion Shore-Based Missile System (SBMS) Acquisition Project - billed as a plank of the external defense program - for another project acquiring helmets, armor vests and rifles, among others, for ground troops.

Golez said the shelved SBMS project with the government of Israel could have jump-started Aquino’s promise for the military to achieve “minimum credible external defense capability” before he exits 2016. The project was originally planned to be implemented in October 2015, and completed before mid-2016.

Iriberri had justified the move to realign the SBMS project's funds by noting the urgency of protecting the troops who are often wounded or killed on the field because they do not have the basic protection from helmets, armor vests and rifles.

The local representative of the Israel Military Industries (IMI) is the same supplier who earlier filed criminal and administrative charges against Iriberri at the Office of the Ombudsman for delaying the implementation of at least three ammunition projects worth P97.8 million.

The supplier has asked Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to preventively suspend Iriberri in connection with the complaints.

Golez, meanwhile, has urged the Commission on Appointments (CA) to withhold Iriberri's confirmation.

Golez said he doubted Iriberri's ability to lead the AFP, adding that the latter “obviously does not understand external defense and is unfit to lead the AFP when we are facing a grave external threat.”

To this, Iriberri said, “I respect his opinion,” but raised the possibility that “baka misinformed lang siya [he might have just been misinformed]”.

Iriberri declined to provide, when asked, for an update on developments in the WPS, particularly at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, saying only: “I’m sorry, I cannot”.

Panatag Shoal has been de facto occupied by the Chinese since April 2012, following a standoff between Philippine maritime forces and Chinese vessels in the area falling well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China last week said it had completed its controversial reclamation frenzy on a huge area of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/115725/iriberri-on-golezs-charge-of-incompetence-i-respect-his-view-but-i-know-my-job

US Navy men in Pacific Partnership mission arrive

From InterAksyon (Aug 10): US Navy men in Pacific Partnership mission arrive



USNS hospital ship Mercy at the Subic Bay, 4 August 2015. SBMA PHOTO

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Some 50 members of the US Navy Pacific Partnership team have arrived in Pangasinan for a series of humanitarian and civic mission to be conducted in various areas of the province lasting up to August 12.

Their initial activities include attending a flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol Plaza to be followed by a press conference at the Urduja House and a coordination briefing with rural sanitary inspectors and health program managers and coordinators.

A veterinary medical mission will also be held in 10 barangays of Lingayen town alongside an expert exchange coordination meeting for humanitarian and disaster relief.

Fellowship night to be led by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. with Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr., members of the provincial board, department heads, and chiefs of hospitals has been arranged for them.

Continuation of the hospital engagement activity will be held in the morning of August 11 followed by a symposium on public health diseases in the afternoon.

This will focus on various diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy, leptospirosis, and dengue.

Simultaneous activities have been set for environmental sanitation inspection among identified business establishments.

Veterinary medical mission will be held in 10 barangays of San Carlos City; there will also be mobile blood donation, TB "Suyod" in Bayambang town, and the continuation of previous hospital engagement.

Pre-surgical screening forum will also be held in preparation for the scheduled Operation Smile intended for patients with cleft palate.

Activities for August 12 include a regional animal disease diagnostic laboratory, demonstration and rapid rabies detection test, and demonstration of chemical castration in dogs with zeuterin.

Under the US Navy Pacific Partnership program, the hospital ship USN Ship Mercy and support vessel USN Ship Millinocket are main components of the operation, said Lt. Commander Timothy Pietrack, the mission’s public affairs officer.

Pacific Partnership 2015 is said to be the largest annual multilateral humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The team has initially conducted a two-day Basic Life Support Training at Subic Bay, Olongapo City on August 5 and 6 joined in by the Pangasinan Provincial Health Office (PHO) medical team and hospital teams.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/115747/us-navy-men-in-pacific-partnership-mission-arrive

Tired of life in the mountains, rebel yields in Agusan

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 9): Tired of life in the mountains, rebel yields in Agusan

BUTUAN CITY – Realizing that the hardship he has suffered of hiding in the mountains at the expense of his family was not worth it, a New People’s Army (NPA) regular bolted from his group’s maintain lair somewhere in Agusan del Sur to voluntarily surrender to a local Army unit Thursday.

Capt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez, regional spokesman of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID), identified the NPA fighter who surrendered as Richard D. Cagayan, alias “Ka Wendyl” of guerrilla-Front Committee 88 of the CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

Cagayan brought with him M16 Armalite rifles and a large volume of M16 live ammunitions when he first sought the intercession of his brother Roger, an active member of the Citizen Armed Force Goegraphical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary based in Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur.

“Talagang pagod na raw sya (he is so tired). Na miss na rin daw nya ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay” (he missed already his love ones), said Martinez, quoting Cagayan on the reason why he wanted to end years of fighting in the mountains.

He said the higher command of the 4th ID was now facilitating the support from the AFP Guns for Peace Program as remuneration on the firearms he surrendered.

“Financial and livelihood support from the Comprehensive Local Integration
Program (CLIP) is also being facilitated for him,” said Martinez even as Cagayan was already undergoing tactical debriefing at a local military unit in Agusan del Sur.

As of press time, the former NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is still under tactical debriefing at local military unit in Agusan del Sur.

http://www.mb.com.ph/tired-of-life-in-the-mountains-rebel-yields-in-agusan/

Cafgu killed in encounter with rebels in remote Misamis village

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 9): Cafgu killed in encounter with rebels in remote Misamis village

Camp Bancasi, Butuan City – A member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) was killed while another CAA member was wounded after government forces engaged a band of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a 30-minute battle in the hinterland village of Farmbugas in Claveria town, Misamis Oriental, a sketchy report reaching the military advance command post (ACP) here yesterday stated.

The report also said that residents of the far-flung barangay saw the insurgents carrying their dead and wounded comrades as they fled to the mountains.

“Marami ding casualty na inakay sa mga nagtakbuhang mga rebelde” (many casualties were also brought along by the running rebels), claimed Capt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez, regional Army spokesman of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID), quoting the initial report coming from the field.

The 4th ID spokesperson identified the slain militiaman as CAA Rafael L. Tantuhan. Renford Basilan was also hit by gunfire during the encounter and is now recovering in a local hospital.

The gun battle took place when soldiers of the First Special Forces Battallion, accompanied by the CAA force, engaged the heavily-armed NPAs in the hinterland area of Barangay Farmbugas in Claveria town.

“Our troops were conducting security patrol when they encountered members of guerrilla-Front Committee 4-B of the CPP-NPA Northern Mindanao regional Committee (NMRC),” Capt. Martinez said.

However, he said the rebels withdrew after almost 30-minute heavy gunfight, sensing that reinforcing troops from nearby areas were coming.

“As of this time, massive and wide pursuit operation is still ongoing,” added Martinez as troops from the 403rd Infantry Brigade pressed on with their pursuit of the rebels near Claveria town.

http://www.mb.com.ph/cafgu-killed-in-encounter-with-rebels-in-remote-misamis-village/

Winning smiles aboard ‘USNS Mercy’

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 9): Winning smiles aboard ‘USNS Mercy’

Subic Bay Freeport — Inside a gymnasium filled with rubber matting, parents and children line up to await their turn to be screened. Some of the kids screamed their lungs out after their blood samples were drawn, while others were happy just to be around with other children for play.

All of them had one wish, though – for them to qualify for a free cleft lip and palate surgery courtesy of “Operation Smile.”

For years now, volunteer doctors and medical professionals join Operation Smile to offer themselves for the betterment of the lives of children born with the odd condition. They come together from different corners of the Earth with one mission – to allow a child the full freedom and happiness to smile.

These volunteer professionals have one goal in mind, to give children a reason to smile.

SMILING IN PAIN — A cleft-lipped child manages to smile in the comfort of his mother’s arms as he receives a shot in the arm during the recent screening of children hoping to get a free cleft-lip palate surgery courtesy of volunteer doctors of ‘Operation Smile’ inside the visiting ‘USNS Mercy,’ currently docked at Subic Bay Freeport. (Jonas Reyes)
SMILING IN PAIN — A cleft-lipped child manages to smile in the comfort of his mother’s arms as he receives a shot in the arm during the recent screening of children hoping to get a free cleft-lip palate surgery courtesy of volunteer doctors of ‘Operation Smile’ inside the visiting ‘USNS Mercy,’ currently docked at Subic Bay Freeport. (Jonas Reyes)
 
This year’s mission is particularly special for Operation Smile as it is being conducted until August 12 aboard the “USNS Mercy,” the 894-foot long US Navy hospital ship.

The multinational team of Operation Smile volunteer cleft care professionals from 13 countries arrived in Subic Bay Freeport last Wednesday and, since then, buckled down to a five-day free cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries for Filipinos aboard the USNS Mercy.

“Subic is our seventh international mission site this year and this shows just how serious we are at harnessing Operation Smile’s global resources to help eradicate the backlog of cleft cases in the Philippines,” said Operation Smile COO Wayne Zinn, a former US Marine who did a tour at the then Subic Naval Base from 1979 to 1980s.

The Philippines has a high prevalence of cleft births.  Every year, an estimated one in every 500 live births or 5,000 babies are born with the deformity.

http://www.mb.com.ph/winning-smiles-aboard-usns-mercy/

Palawan naval base proposed to protect PH claim to gas-rich area

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 10): Palawan naval base proposed to protect PH claim to gas-rich area

A member of the House Committee on Energy urged the Aquino government yesterday to build a strong naval base in northwest Palawan, to protect the Philippine claim to natural gas resources in the West Philippine Sea only 80 nautical miles northwest of Palawan.
 
“This is one of the compelling reasons why we have to secure our 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and its contiguous area, including the seabed of the continental shelf up to 350 miles from the national coastal baseline,” House Deputy Minority Leader and LPGMA Rep. Arnel Ty said,
 
Ty stressed the need to defend the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone from all foreign threats. “In fact, we should invest in new warships, including frigates, missile gunboats, and fast attack craft, for deployment in the zone. We should build a strong naval base in northwest Palawan,” he declared.
 
On the potentials of the natural gas resources in the area, Ty said, “We only need to harness three more Malampaya-like fields to power up the whole country. And we’ve already discovered one of the three,” he said, referring to the Recto Bank’s Sampaguita field, which is estimated to contain up to 4.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
 
“It is just a question of exploring some more to ascertain where best to drill and draw out the greatest amount of gas,” Ty said.
 
These natural gas resources, he said, would mean billions of pesos earned saved in royalties, energy security, and economic stability for the country. “We also need a cleaner source of power. We have to rely more on natural gas, and less on coal and oil to produce the bulk of our electricity,” Ty said.
 
Ty cited a Department of Energy report that some 34.4 percent of the country’s dependable power generating capacity is now produced from coal, 19.07 percent from hydro resources, 17.66 percent from natural gas, 17.30 percent from oil (diesel and fuel oil), 10.28 percent from geothermal, and 1.29 percent from biomass, biodiesel, solar, and wind.
 
“Among fossil fuels, natural gas contains the least carbon dioxide and burns more efficiently,” Ty pointed out.
 
“Malampaya’s natural gas has displaced around 1.35 million kilograms of carbon dioxide per hour that otherwise would be polluting our air,” Ty said. Developed in 2002, the Malampaya gas field in northwest Palawan has proven reserves of about 3.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, he said.
 
The Philippine government has also received over P208 billion in royalties from Malampaya, as of March 2015.
 
PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
 
“At the end of the day, security is built by friendship not by making enemies, and that’s what we do. That’s the entire basis of Pacific Partnership,” Capt. Joel Roos of the US 7th Fleet said yesterday. He is in the country as part of the Pacific Partnership 2015 (PP15), the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
 
The Philippine leg of PP is now on its second half, with various activities being held in Zambales and La Union. It is undertaking medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, and community relations projects, as well as seminars, training exercises, and tabletop events.
 
Capt. James Meyer, commodore of Task Force Forager (TFF), said Pacific Partnership not only strengthens the long-standing alliance between Philippines and the US, but also helps to enhance maritime security in the region. The Military Sealift Command on the high-speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) is now docked in San Fernando City, La Union.
 
Meyer said Pacific Partnership is about disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance and preparing for such events. The long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the United States has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region for many years and the PP mission will continue to strengthen the two nations’ partnership, he said.
 
Capt. Alberto Mogol, commander of Naval Task Force 11 of the Philippine Navy (PN), said that through PP program of training and exercises, “we can be assured that we can be ready to plan, train, and conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in accordance with international standards.”
 
Unlike other bilateral PH-US exercises such as the Balikatan, which is a military-to-military activity, PP involves other government agencies. “Other agencies are also involved like the Department of Health and the Department of Education, which will benefit from the school buildings that we will build,” said Mogol.
 
PP15 supporting partners include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Canada, Timor Leste, Fiji, and France. Particicipating non-government organizations are Project Hope, Operation Smile, Latter Day Saints Charities, University of California at San Diego, University of Virginia, University of Hawaii, Project Handclasp, and World Vets.

http://www.mb.com.ph/palawan-naval-base-proposed-to-protect-ph-claim-to-gas-rich-area/

AFP chief dismisses Golez tirade over S. China Sea

From the Daily Tribune (Aug 10): AFP chief dismisses Golez tirade over S. China Sea

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri is not affected by the criticisms hurled against him by former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez for supposedly failing to recognize Chinese threat in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

“I respect his opinion…everybody is entitled to his own opinion. I don’t get affected with criticisms because if I do, I will not be able to do my job anymore,” he stressed.

Golez, who is a former Navy officer and congressman, expressed disappointment with Iriberri for supposedly failing to recognize China’s aggression in the disputed territory as the real threat facing the country today.

Golez spelled out that China’s aggression affects “our environment through the degradation of the ecosystems in the disputed areas and our socio-political and economic structure with the influx of illegal drugs, political interference in government and dumping of cheap but low quality products that undermine the integrity of financial stability of local industries.”

The former congressman described Iribberi as not competent enough to realize the significance of modernizing the AFP through the procurement of modern military hardware, among them the acquisition of a number of Italian-made Maestrale-class frigates and the BrahMos shore-based missile system from India.

But Iriberri has previously clarified that the acquisition of missile system was only shelved temporarily due to pressing concerns over the safety of foot soldiers falling prey to landmines planted by enemies of the state.

The military noted the huge number of combat casualty in recent months due to improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“That’s why we need to protect our troops from these IEDs,” he said.

The procurement of the missile system was move to the “second horizon” of the revised AFP Modernization Program.

Golez also said Iriberri’s appointment as AFP chief should not be confirmed by the Commission on Appointment for being not competent in heading the AFP in the face of external threats.

“As I’ve said, I respect his (Golez) opinion…maybe he is just misinformed,” Iriberri said.

The AFP chief reiterated that the 125,000-strong military is performing its mandate of protecting the country’s territorial sovereignty, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

Relatedly, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines will continue to have a principled, independent and law-based approach to assert its right over the South China Sea.

Del Rosario said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will assert the rightful place of the Philippines in the community of nations, in the same way former UN General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo asserted the right of the country to be included in the United Nations seal in 1949.

“We are at the threshold of history, taking a principled, consistent position on the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea issue, depending on what is legitimately and rightfully ours. The ultimate purpose of this case is our national interest. This is what we, as a nation, conveyed ...before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague,” Del Rosario said during a recent roundtable discussion on “Foreign Policy in an Evolving World Order” organized by Stratbase ADR Institute in Makati City.

“Our maritime dispute with China, a friend and a valued partner in the region, is but one of the many complex challenges confronting 21st century international diplomacy. The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, is in a state of flux as governments are faced with multiple security issues, punctuated further by the rise of non-state factors,” he added.

“The Philippine foreign policy will continue to evolve in relation to our history, identity and aspirations as a people. It will be defined by our national leadership, the institutional arrangement, and the ever-changing international environment,” the country’s top diplomat said.

Prof. Victor Andres Manhit, president of ADR Institute, said there is a need to re-examine existing foreign policy to determine whether it remains responsive to changing times.

“In this connection, examination on the shifts and challenges faced by our existing foreign policy should be made,” he stressed.

Prof. Renato de Castro, former chairman of International Studies Department at De La Salle University and a trustee of ADR Institute, said the South China Sea is not a simple territorial dispute as it has become what has been called a “dangerous ground” or even the “future of conflict.”

De Castro said the Philippines counts on the United States as an ally. “It gives a strong signal to Beijing that it has to take into account American military presence in the country if China uses force, strengthens Philippine resolve to uphold its claim in the face of Chinese pressure in the South China Sea, and just in case the Supreme Court will vote for the constitutionality of EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) it would provide for the establishment of forward security locations – not bases.”

Prof. Alma Salvador of Ateneo de Manila University said Asean also has a role to play in the conflict. “What we’re seeing here is that the initiatives and efforts of Asean toward building a community toward the end of 2015 is now being challenged by Asean ’s response to the South China Sea dispute, its response to China’s militarism, and at the same time, China’s response to the Code of Conduct and its South China Sea policy as a whole. These two forces serve as a framework for testing the capacity of Asean to build a community.”

“As a result of the 2012 incident, you’d see that from 2013 onwards, Asean foreign ministers have issued in a timely manner a statement that expresses their concern over the developments and Chinese militarism in the South China Sea. And specifically in 2013 there is an awareness of the need to speak with one voice,” she said.

Dr. Raul Pangalanan said the Philippines did the right thing when it filed a case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration against China.

“In a David vs. Goliath scenario the Philippines would have been helpless; by filing the case, we have shifted it from a two-party settlement and submitted it to a third-party decision-maker in the tribunal. And, second, that decision will not be based on military power, but it will be based on rules in international law,” he said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/afp-chief-dismisses-golez-tirade-over-s-china-sea

Navy vice commander is new Navy chief

From ABS-CBN (Aug 9): Navy vice commander is new Navy chief

The vice commander of the Philippine Navy is set to assume the position of Navy chief, replacing Vice Admiral Jesus Millan who is bowing out of service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad will assume the position of Navy chief on Monday at a change of command ceremony to be presided by President Benigno Aquino III.

"Admiral Taccad is a very professional officer…He is an officer who is easy to get along with. He is easy to talk with, he is very simple," said Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo of Taccad, a classmate of Millan at the Philippine Military Academy class of 1982.

Other prominent members of the class include Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP_ vice chief Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, AFP Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, AFP Western Command chief Vice Adm, Alexander Lopez and AFP Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Nicanor Vivar.

"He (Taccad) is very simple and very soft-spoken but he is well-regarded and well-respected in the Navy…We, senior officers, are very confident that he will be able to pursue the plans and aspirations of the Navy to transform from what we call a 'legacy Navy' to that of a 'future Navy,'" said Arevalo.

Arevalo said the Navy is living in "exciting times" and it is "very timely" for Taccad to assume the post "because of his insights, his vision, his brand of leadership will definitely bring the Navy to its greater heights."

The Philippine Navy is at the forefront in protecting the country's interest in the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea. The Spratlys is being claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Malaysian, Brunei and Vietnam.

"As of now, we have yet to hear any pronouncement from him but we are expecting that to happen in a matter of days or maybe the next day after his assumption of command on Monday," Arevalo said, referring to how the new Navy chief will handle the issue.

"We are expecting he will be calling a command conference and he would surely give our his instructions, he will give his directions. We might be hearing some of them in his assumption speech come Monday afternoon during the change or command ceremony," he said.

As Navy vice commander, Taccad is also the chairman of the Navy's Modernization Board, that implements the command's modernization program - which calls for the acquisition of modern ships, including frigates.

Before becoming the Navy's vice commander, Taccad was the Chief Naval Staff. He was also the commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, based in La Union, during the April 2012 standoff with Chinese ships at the Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal, about 124 nautical miles from Zambales.

The standoff initially involved the Navy's BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which withdrew and replaced by two Coast Guard ships. The Coast Guard vessels also withdrew due to inclement weather, leaving the shoal under the de facto control of China until now.

Taccad commanded many ships during his career, including the presidential yacht BRP Ang Pangulo from 2003 to 2005, during the time of then President Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative. Arroyo is on a hospital arrest for a plunder charge.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/09/15/navy-vice-commander-new-navy-chief

Military on the lookout vs rebels' extortion, attacks in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Star (Aug 9): Military on the lookout vs rebels' extortion, attacks in Bukidnon



Different rebel groups have reportedly been frequenting the outskirts of Malaybalay City and nearby Bukidnon towns. File photo

BUKIDNON, Philippines - The military on Sunday resumed with its community patrols in the outskirts of Malaybalay City to prevent another incursion by communist rebels mulcting money from local peasants.

New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas on Wednesday raided villages in Indalasa District in Malaybalay City northeast of Bukidnon, provoking running firefights with combatants of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion.

A soldier, Private 1st Class Randy Hulleza, was killed in the ensuing encounter.

Different rebel groups have reportedly been frequenting the outskirts of Malaybalay City and nearby Bukidnon towns lately to collect “protection money” from peasant communities.

The 8th IB intensified its patrols in areas where the NPAs are operating on the behest of barangay folks and local officials.

There are text messages circulating around, purporting that four NPAs were wounded in last week’s skirmishes with combatants of 8th IB.

Captain Norman Tagros, spokesperson of 8th IB, was quoted in radio reports as saying they could not confirm the NPA casualties.

He said the escape route of the rebels was heavily stained with blood, but there were no actual sightings of wounded NPAs by pursuing soldiers.

Tagros said barangay folks reported seeing the retreating NPAs carry wounded comrades.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/08/09/1486147/military-lookout-vs-rebels-extortion-attacks-bukidnon

NPA rebels gun down village councilor in Camarines Sur

Posted to InterAksyon (Aug 8): NPA rebels gun down village councilor in Camarines Sur



CAMP GEN. SIMEON A. OLA, Legazpi City -- Suspected New People's Army guerrillas killed a barangay councilor in an ambush Friday morning in Lupi town, Camarines Sur.

A police report said Barangay Bangon councilman Jose Auditor Jr., 44, was on his motorcycle on the way to Barangay Tagbak in Ragay town when the rebels opened fire with M16 rifles around 7:45 a.m.

Police reports said the rebels suspected Auditor of being a military informant as he had friends in the service.

The victim's relatives have denied the accusation, saying Auditor was an accommodating public servant.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/115675/npa-rebels-gun-down-village-councilor-in-camarines-sur

Will China lose historic opportunity as rising benevolent power, natural world leader? (Part 4 of 4)

From InterAksyon (Aug 9): Will China lose historic opportunity as rising benevolent power, natural world leader? (Part 4 of 4) by Cesar Polvorosa Jr.

 

Chinese military. FILE PHOTO

Read Part 1 of 4, ‘21st Century will be the Pacific Century’ here. 

Read Part 2 of 4, ‘Shock & Awe in the 15th Century: China's 27,000 sailors, 300 ships, 7 voyages’ here.  

Read Part 3 of 4, ‘China following US capitalist footsteps and its various implications’ here.  

While the path dependent approach suggests that countries would be heavily influenced by their histories in charting their future directions, countries can and do break new ground while incorporating elements of their past into their governance template. This is how progress is made. Thus, Japan had been a stable parliamentary democracy now for several decades while retaining distinct Japanese elements in their governance structures.

While China is making the transition to capitalism it retains strong SOEs (state-owned enterprises) while clearly reverting to its historical authoritarian norm in its governance mode. Then as now, there are factions competing to control the policy directions of China that echoed the struggle between the conservative inward looking Confucian scholars vs. the innovative outward looking eunuchs during the Ming dynasty period of Zheng He.

Again, the modernist vs. the traditionalist factions clashed as the Qing dynasty sputtered into its long decline especially as a strategy response to European incursions. More recently, it was the Mao’s vs. Deng’s factions that extended from the Cultural Revolution. Deng’s open policy eventually prevailed and spawned economic liberalization and the SEZs (Special Economic Zones).

Subsequently, as the country made its dizzying ascent during the past few decades the power struggle pitted the “doves” against the “hawks.” For a while, the doves had the upper hand and thus the focus on the soft power of the state. Now, as the economy and the military had made quantum leaps, the pendulum has clearly swung to the hardliners.

Chinese encroachments are treading on dangerous ground as they alienate smaller neighboring countries that traditionally would look to the Middle Kingdom for leadership. No country no matter how small or ineffectual would like to be cowered into submission. On the other hand, soft power would lead to the gradual and willing embrace of closer relationships that would be a win-win situation for all parties. But an overt and aggressive hegemon repels and would soon be confronted by an alliance that would seek to protect their individual freedom by joining forces to maintain the balance of power. Thus, China’s show of force of building facilities in disputed territories, intimidating Filipino fishermen, isolating Philippine Navy personnel are calculated moves that also demonstrates hubris.

It is 21st century gunboat diplomacy in action and is a portent of possible escalation as Chinese military capabilities magnify in the near future. Just think of the possibilities open to China once it starts to operate its carrier fleet.

The de facto occupation of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea is a pre-emptive move designed to present a fait accompli or a done deed when it comes to future negotiations -- whether it be with the UN, ASEAN, or on a bilateral mode. The Chinese will argue that any accommodation that they do with the reclamation projects is regarded as a “concession” and therefore they expect also that the Philippines will also have to make some concessions. They will argue that they have incurred “sunk costs.”

China is practicing the gunboat diplomacy of the Western imperialist powers that it despised.

From the existential threat to China of being “carved up like a melon” by the Western powers during the “Century of Humiliation” from the turbulent mid-19th century, it is ironic that it is now engaged in “salami slicing” and “cabbage harvesting” in the disputed territories with its smaller neighbors in the 21st century.

The discord in the region is in stark contrast to the cherished ideal of harmony in Chinese culture especially of Confucianism. Confucian harmony is regarded as a dynamic process that seeks to achieve balance and reconciliation of differences.

It is the conservative Confucian scholars that offer relevant lessons of history. To quote Confucius, “He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn toward it.”

China’s rise to riches and prominence will have the potential to be like a rising tide that will lift all the nations of the region toward peace and common prosperity as the countries look to it for leadership. China though is losing its historic opportunity to prove that it is a rising benevolent power with a natural leadership role in the world. Will it make the necessary policy change in time?

China is aiming for highly developed country status by 2049 -- which marks the centennial of the People’s Republic of China. The achievement of the Chinese Dream and its renaissance as a superpower will have an immense impact on the peace, prosperity, and freedom of the region. The ascent of China is a double-edged sword.

[Editor’s note: In view of the presentations made by the Philippines before the UN arbitral tribunal on the country’s suit against China regarding the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute, key aspects of China’s history can help produce insights into the dynamics of the rising superpower’s possible future relations with its neighbors, specifically the Philippines. Author Cesar Polvorosa Jr. is a business school professor of economics, world geography, and international business management in Canada. He is also a published writer in economics, business, and literature.]

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/115698/will-china-lose-historic-opportunity-as-rising-benevolent-power-natural-world-leader-part-4-of-4

MILF’s Murad: if no BBL under PNoy, next administration

From MindaNews (Aug 8): MILF’s Murad: if no BBL under PNoy, next administration

CAMP DARAPANAN, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is still looking forward to the commitment of President Aquino to push for the passage of a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that adheres to the peace agreements signed with the government (GPH) but if it is not passed, will “continue to demand of the next administration to implement the FAB (Framework Agreeement on the Bangsamoro) and the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro),” MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said.

Murad told MindaNews in an interview here on August 5 that as the 2016 Presidential election nears, they feel the peace process has been “politicized,” with some politicians using the issue to serve their interests.

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim says "we have to protect the peace process" in an interview in Camp Darapanan on August 5, 2015. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim says “we have to protect the peace process” in an interview in Camp Darapanan on August 5, 2015. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO

He acknowledged the challenges they are facing now but maintained they are “holding on to the peace agreement.”

“We have to protect the peace agreement…. if all efforts will not succeed in passing it within the President’s term, then we will continue to demand of the next government to implement FAB and CAB because the final peace agreement is not subject to renegotiation,” said the 67-year old Murad, who has been chair of the MILF since founding chair Salamat Hashim passed away in July 2003.

Murad, then vice chair for military affairs, served as MILF peace panel chair when the peace negotiations between the government and the MILF resumed in 2001, following the ouster of then President Joseph Estrada, who waged an “all-out war” against the MILF while peace talks were ongoing in 2000.

Murad said they are still looking forward to the commitment of President Aquino (even as) his political capital may be winding down. “I think he still has capacity to really push for the BBL” that “will comply with the peace agreements,” he said.

The government and MILF signed the FAB on October 15, 2012 and the CAB on March 27, 2014. Both parties agreed that the status quo in the relationship between the government and the Moro is unacceptable and that they would work for a new autonomous political entity named the Bangsamoro that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The passage of the BBl will pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro  by June 30, 2016, according to the roadmap of the government and MILF peace panels.

He noted that the President in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 cited the BBL as the first in his list of priority bills. The President, however, has not not certified as urgent HB 5811, the substitute bill which has been the subject of criticisms from various sectors for allegedly producing a Bangsamoro that will be “less than the ARMM” that it seeks to replace.

Murad added that while those who are eyeing the Presidency have not declared their positions on the peace process, “our general assessment is we are still optimistic that whoever wins as President, it’s unlikely that he will abandon the peace process.”

He said all Presidents starting from Cory Aquino (1986 to 1992) resumed the peace process, including Estrada (1998 – 2001) until his “all-out war.”

Scenarios

Murad said among the challenges that they are facing is how to manage the “very high expectations” of the Moro people “but we are also trying to start now our advocacy to let them see the possible scenarios… our possible options.”

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim discusses three scenarios in the peace process. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim discusses three scenarios in the peace process. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO

He cited three major scenarios:

Scenario 1: if the BBl is passed in compliance with the FAB and CAB and acceptable to the parties, the roadmap of the peace process will proceed as scheduled;

Scenario 2: BBL will not be passed anymore (under the Aquino administration) “so we have Plan B because that can happen, that is a possibility;” and

Scenario 3: the BBL is passed but not compliant with the FAB and CAB and not acceptable to the MILF. “We also have our own plan if this happens,” he said.

Murad, however, declined to say what their plans are for scenarios 2 and 3 but admits that the third scenario is “more complicated.”

He said the BBL “has to comply with the peace agreement.” He said this is not an ordinary bill but one whose foundation is the peace process.

Murad said a BBL that is not acceptable would send a wrong message to the people that the peace process is not the solution to the problem. “Yun ang kinatatakutan natin (That’s what we’re afraid of) and it can also be capitalized by extremists among the Bangsamoro,” Murad said.

No abandonment

Murad reiterated what he told MindaNews in August last year, that they would “try to work out every effort to make armed struggle the last option.”

He dismissed fears that the MILF will go to war if the BBL is not passed.

“We’ve already invested so much in the peace process so hahawakan namin ang (hold on to) the peace process. We will not abandon the peace process. … We will continue to press government to implement the agreement because it’s binding not only to the Aquino administration but to the entire government, up to the next governments,” he explained.

At the House of Representatives, the interpellation period for HB 5811, the substitute bill approved by the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL (AHCBBL) last May 20, was supposed to resume on August 4 but the session was adjourned due to lack of quorum. The same situation happened on August 5.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the AHCBBL told MindaNews last Thursday that the interpellation will resume August 10.  This is exactly two months after it was suspended when Congress adjourned sine die on June 10. By then, only eight of 38 representatives who had signed up to interpellate had done so.

At the Senate, Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., chair of the Committee on Local Government is expected to submit his substitute bill on August 10. Marcos in early June delivered a privilege speech saying that in its present from and substance, SB 2408 or the draft BBL crafted by the 15-member GPH-MILF Bangsamoro Transition Commission, would “lead us to perdition .”

Senate President Franklin Drilon last Monday told Senate reporters the sponsorship of the substitute bill would be on August 11 but interpellation would begin on August 17.

He said no deadline has been set as to when to terminate the interpellation period. “We will not set any deadline on the interpellation, so everybody will be given a chance to review the report that will be submitted,” he said.

MindaNews counted 33 session days – at a maximum of four session days a week — from August 17 until Congress goes on recess from October 10 to November 2.

 http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2015/08/09/milfs-murad-if-no-bbl-under-pnoy-next-administration/

4 tribal leaders seized in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 9): 4 tribal leaders seized in Southern Philippines

Suspected communist rebels have seized 4 tribal leaders in the southern Philippine province of Davao del Norte, the military said Saturday.

The Eastern Mindanao Command accused the New People’s Army of abducting Datu Danilo Angcomog, Datu Laris Landakay, Datu Jovanie Angcomog; and Datu Kalumpot Dalon at Sitio Bulo in the village of Dagohoy in Talaingod town. 

Capt. Alberto Caber, an army spokesman, said the tribal leaders, who are natives of San Fernando town in Bukidnon province, were settling a feud between two warring groups when gunmen seized them for a still unknown reason. 

He said soldiers from the 68th Infantry Battalion were sent to help local authorities in the search for the victims.

Other tribal leaders have appealed to the abductors for the safe release of the men and it was unknown whether their disappearance was connected to tribal war. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the abductions.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/4-tribal-leaders-seized-in-southern-philippines/

Military officer arrested in Zamboanga for firing gun

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 9): Military officer arrested in Zamboanga for firing gun

Police on Sunday arrested a military officer who allegedly fired his gun indiscriminately in the air and hit and wounded a villager in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. 

Officials said Captain Joselito Vidal, 36, was nabbed by members of the Zamboanga City Public Safety Company led by PO3 Alharab Saleh along Governor Alvarez Street. 

Vidal reportedly fired his pistol and hit Michael Tan, 50. “As a result of the said incident, a certain Michael Elgarico Tan, 50 years old, a resident of Marcos Drive in Putik (village) was hit. He was rushed to Zamboanga Doctor’s Hospital for medical treatment,” said Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman. 

Samuddin said policemen seized the military officer’s .45-caliber pistol and a magazine with four bullets. He said policemen also recovered a bullet casing fired from the same gun, and Vidal’s motorcycle. 

It was unknown why Vidal fired his gun, but Samuddin said the officer is currently detained at a police station while the investigation is going on.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/military-officer-arrested-in-zamboanga-for-firing-gun/

Malaysian diplomats visit MILF leaders, vows to invite traders to Bangsamoro

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 9): Malaysian diplomats visit MILF leaders, vows to invite traders to Bangsamoro

Malaysia will continue to invite Malaysian traders to invest in Mindanao even as it expressed continued support to the Mindanao peace process, a ranking Malasian official in the Philippines on Sunday told officials of a Moro group in Southern Philippines.

Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Dato Mohammad Zamri Mohammad Kassim made the commitment during his visit to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) stronghold in Barangay Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao Sunday.

Mohammad Kassim met with MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and MILF Vice Chair for Political Affairs Ghadzali Jaafar in the MILF chair's offie in Barangay Darapanan.

He was accompanied by Malaysian Consul Zawawi Tahir and MGeneral Sheikh Mohksin, Head of International Monitoring Team (IMT) Mission-10 and their delegation

Murad warmly welcome the Malaysian delegation and expressed appreciation for their coming to Mindanao and at Camp Darapanan.

Mohammad Kassim reiterated his government’s strong commitment and support to the peace process as well as to continue acting as peace process facilitator and head of the IMT as long as both parties need it.

Malaysia has been the lead country in the six nation IMT which monitors the implementation of the GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement since 2003.

The Malaysian envoy told Murad his government will continue to extend to the Bangsamoro and Filipino People in general their assistance in the field of education and human resource development (HRD) through their institutions and programs and others.

He also said Malaysia will continue to assist in developing the economy through inviting and encouraging private investors to invest in the Bangsamoro and other parts of the country.

"We continue to hope and pray for the early passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law(BBL) that is acceptable to all parties and the Bangsamoro people and to continue to monitor the situation and progress of the peace process.

Murad, in a statement, expressed the MILF and the Moro peoples’ gratitude to the active participation of the Malaysian Government in the peace process that included the facilitation of the peace talks; heading the IMT as well as extending educational and human resource development training to selected Moro individuals particularly on capacity building, among others.

These capacity building programs Malaysia has been providing to Moro participants in Kuala Lumpur are in preparation for the upcoming establishment of the Bangsamoro new political entity once the BBL is passed by congress and ratified by the people in proposed areas of Bangsamoro in a plebiscite.

The BBL remain in the two chambers of Congress and both are yet to come up with a final version of the Bangsamoro Law seen to resolve the decades-old Bangsamoro Problem.

The proposed law is still pending in congress and expected to be passed within the year.

In a separate statement, the MILF and the GPH Peace panel, as well as prominent individuals including influential Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, civil society organizations and non government organizations (CSOs and NGOs) supportive of the peace process and the Bangsamoro people have urged congress to pass the original version of the proposed law agreed between President Benigno Aquino II and the MILF submitted to congress on September 10, 2014.

The draft law was based on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

A sumptuous lunch was shared by visiting Malaysian diplomats and MILF central committee members after the meeting.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=791395

2 newly-arrived LCHs boost PN's amphibious, disaster relief capabilities

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 9): 2 newly-arrived LCHs boost PN's amphibious, disaster relief capabilities

The two landing craft heavies (LCH), which arrived from Australia last Aug. 7 in Sangley Point, Cavite, will greatly boost the amphibious and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Leopoldo Alano, in a statement on Sunday, said the two Australian-donated LCHs are "extremely versatile vessels, capable of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment."

"These new assets will be vital in facilitating and sustaining Fleet-Marine operations and will bolster the PN's amphibious and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities," Alano emphasized.

The LCHs, which are named the BRP Ivatan (AT-298) and BRP Batak (AT-299), are commanded by Cmdr. Joselito E. De Guzman and Lt. Ariel D. Constantino, respectively.

The LCHs left Cairns, Australia for their voyage to the Philippines last July 23.

The ships entered Philippine waters, specifically off Zamboanga, last Aug. 5.

They will be joining the five other landing craft units in PN service.

"The vessels will also be useful in transporting troops from one operational area to another," the PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan disclosed.

Prior to the turnover and commissioning, Millan and Royal Australian Navy head Vice Admiral Tim Barret signed a memorandum of agreement regarding the transfer of the LCHs.

The signing was witnessed by Alano and Sealift Amphibious Force head Commodore Narciso A. Vingson.

The Australian government announced the donation of the two LCHs last January following its decommissioning in November 2014.

The two donated LCHs are formerly named the HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Brunei.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=791282

Gas beneath WPS seen enough to energize entire PH

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 9): Gas beneath WPS seen enough to energize entire PH

The natural gas resources beneath the West Philippine Sea are so vast the cleaner fuel could energize the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids for at least 20 years, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers’ Association (LPG-MA) on Sunday said.

“This is one of the compelling reasons why we have to secure our 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone and its contiguous area, including the seabed of the continental shelf up to 350 miles from the national coastal baseline. We have to defend the zone against China and other foreign threats,” said House Deputy Minority Leader and LPG-MA Rep. Arnel Ty.

“In fact, we should invest in new warships, including frigates, missile gunboats and fast attack crafts, for deployment to the zone. We should build a strong naval base in northwest Palawan,” said Ty, who speaks for the minority bloc in the House energy committee.

The country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea is believed to have a number of Malampaya-like natural gas fields, the lawmaker said.

“We only need to harness three more Malampaya-like fields to power up the whole country. And we’ve already discovered one of the three. It is just a question of exploring some more to ascertain where best to drill and draw out the greatest amount of gas,” Ty explained.

He was referring to the Recto Bank’s Sampaguita field, which is estimated to contain up to 4.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The field lies just 80 nautical miles northwest off the Palawan coast.

Ty cited the tremendous economic as well as environmental benefits of developing the country’s indigenous natural gas resources: Huge foreign exchange savings because the country would be spending less dollars to import coal and oil.

Since natural gas trades at a discount, electricity would be cheaper for all consumers, thus freeing up business and household incomes for other forms of spending;

Billions of pesos in new government royalties; Energy security and economic stability for the country, without having to be troubled by potential power shortages; and

The country’s air quality would improve in a big way due to reduced carbon dioxide discharges.

“We need a cleaner source of power. We have to rely more on natural gas, and less on coal and oil to produce the bulk of our electricity,” Ty noted.

At present, some 34.40 percent of the country’s dependable power generating capacity is produced from coal; 19.07 percent from hydro resources; 17.66 percent from natural gas; 17.30 percent from oil (diesel and fuel oil); 10.28 percent from geothermal; and 1.29 percent from biomass, biodiesel, solar and wind, according to the Department of Energy.

“Among fossil fuels, natural gas contains the least carbon dioxide and burns more efficiently,” Ty pointed out.

Excessive carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere have led to global warming and brutal climate changes, such as severe rainfall and harsh drought.

“In the case of Malampaya, the field’s natural gas displaces around 1.35 million kilograms of carbon dioxide per hour that otherwise would be polluting our air,” Ty said.

Discovered in 1991, the Malampaya offshore gas field in northwest Palawan began commercial production in 2002. The field’s gas is conveyed via a 504-kilometer, 24-inch pipeline to Batangas City, where the fuel drives three power plants with a combined 2,700 megawatts (MW) in full generating capacity.

Malampaya has proven reserves of about 3.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, which is expected to last until 2024 to 2030, depending on how aggressively the fuel is harvested.

As of March 2015, the Philippine government has received over P208 billion in royalties from Malampaya.

Based on geological surveys, the United States Energy Information Administration estimates that the West Philippine Sea may contain up to 55.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 5.4 billion barrels of oil, “with the bulk of the resources likely located in the contested Reed Bank at the northeast end of the Spratlys.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=791394

Incoming Navy chief capable of pursuing plans to make PN a more credible force

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 9): Incoming Navy chief capable of pursuing plans to make PN a more credible force

With Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad about to assume command of the Philippine Navy Monday, senior officials of the naval service expressed belief that the former will be able to pursue plans that will make the PN a credible maritime force.

This was stressed by Navy spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo Sunday.

"We senior officers are very confident that he will be able to pursue plans and aspirations (of the) Navy to transform our (so-called) 'legacy navy' to that of a 'future navy'," he added.

Taccad, the incumbent PN vice commander and a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, will take over the Navy's top post with the mandatory retirement of flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan Monday.

Arevalo expressed confidence that the incoming PN chief will be able to implement successfully various programs aimed at transforming the Navy into a more capable and credible force.

"We always say that we are living in exciting times and it is very timely for (the Navy to have) a leader like Rear Admiral Taccad because (his) insights, his vision, his brand of leadership will definitely bring the Navy to its greater heights," he pointed out.

And to this end, Arevalo said Taccad is a very professional and experienced naval officer who rose from the ranks.

"He has rose from the ranks and (gone) through all the billets, from junior billet like mess and supply officer up to command of a vessel, command of the ship and command (of a)naval force (in) senior command, until he became vice commander," he stressed.

The PN spokesperson added that new PN chief is very easy to get along with.

"(Taccad is) actually very soft spoken and silent at most, most of the time but you should be able to speak to him and engage him, if you are able to talk to him in more engaging issues about the Navy, about command and leadership you will be able to learn a lot from him," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=791404

Armed AW-109Es to act as 'air amphibious support' assets

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 9): Armed AW-109Es to act as 'air amphibious support' assets

Aside from providing eyes to its parent frigates, the armed AgustaWestland AW-109E "Power" helicopters will also be useful as "air amphibious support" assets, according to Philippine Navy public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna.

The latter is an offensive military operation that uses naval ships to project ground and air power onto a hostile or potentially hostile shore at a designated landing beach.

The commissioning of the two armed AW-109Es on Monday will coincide with the retirement ceremony of PN flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan who will be leaving the service after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The aircraft are armed with 20mm auto-cannon pods and rocket launchers.

The last two AW-109E airframes arrived in the Philippines last December.

This is part of the five-helicopter deal, worth PhP 1.33 billion, signed by the Philippines with AgustaWestland early in 2013.

Three of the AW-109s were delivered and commissioned on Dec. 22, 2013.

The armed versions of the AW-109s will be equipped with machine guns, 20mm cannons and possibly, with air-to-ground rockets.

The AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a three-ton class, eight-seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.

The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.

The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.

The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.

Its superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class.

For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.

The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.

Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=791406