PAF personnel briefed on American Patriot missile system

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 23, 2023): PAF personnel briefed on American Patriot missile system (By Priam Nepomuceno)

960th Air and Missile Defense Group personnel pose with the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, US Army and their missile launcher. (Photo courtesy of PAF)

MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has been briefed on the operations and other specifications of the American-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system.

In a statement over the weekend, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said it was made possible during the air and missile defense subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) conducted by the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the United States Army at Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in San Antonio, Zambales on April 19.

"During the learning session, subject matter experts from the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade discussed the operations, role, various specifications, capabilities, and key parts of the Patriot missile defense system involving the radar set, engagement control station, missile launchers, and the Patriot missile," she said.

The Patriot is one of the premier missile systems of the United States and is classified as high to medium air defense system.

The SMEE is part of the ongoing "Balikatan" exercises which started April 11 and will end on the 28th.

PAF participants are from the 960th Air and Missile Defense Group (AMDG), the operator of the newly activated ground-based air defense system (GBADS) consisting of SPYDER medium-range missiles from Israel.

The first two GBADS batteries were commissioned and activated by the PAF on Nov. 8 last year.

"The aforementioned exercise broadened the understanding of the Air and Missile System Operators of 960th AMDG on air and missile defense operations. Likewise, it strengthened ties and comradery between the PAF and its US counterparts," Castillo said.

GBADS, also known as the SPYDER Philippines Air Defense System, is a mobile air and missile defense system designed to protect critical installations, land-based fixed assets, mobile platforms, and friendly forces from aerial threats, such as combat aircraft, attack helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, incoming missiles, guided munition, and rockets.

In certain cases, it may also be used to neutralize surveillance threats.

The Philippines and Singapore are the only two countries in the Southeast Asian region operating the advanced missile system.

Castillo also said the GBADS is an acquisition project under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program.

The first two GBAD batteries were delivered on Sept. 24 and 29, 2022, while the third battery is expected on May 24, 2024.

A typical PAF GBADS battery consists of a command-and-control unit, three main firing units equipped with four missile launchers, along with two support vehicles for field service and munition resupply.

The GBADS contract is worth PHP6,846,750,000 and includes integrated logistics support, a simulator, a missile repair facility, and air defense systems missile training for personnel.

The Department of National Defense signed the GBADS contract with the Israel Ministry of Defense and the Rafael Advanced Defense System Ltd. on Sept. 23, 2019.

Meanwhile, the PAF's 15th Strike Wing's A-29B "Super Tucano" and the 17th Special Operation Squadron's AC-130J of the US Air Force (USAF) carried out a live gunnery exercise at Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac on April 21.

"The exercise was conducted as part of their close air support integration, with assistance from various aircraft controllers, including those from the PAF's Direct Air Support Force of Air Defense Command, the Combat Air Controller Team of the 710th Special Operations Wing," Castillo said.

The USAF's Joint Terminal Attack Control of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron observed the entire exercise.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199947

High-ranking NPA leader killed in Negros encounter

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 22, 2023): High-ranking NPA leader killed in Negros encounter (By TARA YAP)

ILOILO CITY – A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government forces in Binalbagan town, Negros Occidental province.



THE alleged body of Rogelio Posadas, a high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) killed during an encounter with the Philippine Army in Binalbagan town, Negros Occidental province. (3rd ID)

The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army identified the fatality as Rogelio Posadas, who was the secretary of the NPA regional committee in Central Visayas.

Posadas was killed in a 10-minute firefight with the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62nd IB) and 94th Infantry Battalion (94th IB) on Wednesday, April 20.

The 3rd ID considered Posadas a notorious NPA leader who was behind numerous murders, kidnappings, and extortion across Negros Occidental.

Among these were the killing of three civilians and wounding of three others during an ambush of a cargo truck in Toboso town in August 2009.

Posadas allegedly led the bombing and attack against two construction firms that built the Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Silay City in October 2006.

He also allegedly led the burning of facilities of the Central Lopez and Victorias Milling Company in Toboso in 2008 and 2010, respectively.

Aside from Posadas’ cadaver, government troops also seized two pistols, numerous magazines and ammunition, two blasting caps, one backpack, personal belongings, assorted medicines, and subversive documents.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/22/high-ranking-npa-leader-killed-in-negros-encounter

NDFP consultant Rogelio Posadas killed by military after alleged encounter

From the Philippine Star (Apr 22, 2023): NDFP consultant Rogelio Posadas killed by military after alleged encounter (By James Relativo)

Photo of NDFP consultant Rogelio Posadas  Released / National Democratic Front - Negros

MANILA, Philippines — Another top communist leader was gunned down by the military after an alleged gunfight in Negros Occidental, according to the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Army claimed that they had killed Posadas, also known as "Putin", after a series of encounters in the boundaries of Isabela and Balbagan on April 20.

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The 303 IB claimed that Posadas is the "top leader" of the New People's Army's Komiteng Rehiyon- Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS), who was responsible for "assassinations, extortions, kidnappings, arsons and other forms of violence against innocent civilians and government personalities."

The military said the revolutionary was identified through the help of informants and former rebels who earlier surrendered to the 94IB. His remains are reported to be at Soledad Funeral Homes, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

"The death of the Communist NPA terrorists top regional leader Rogelio Posadas is a result of the local resident’s vigilance and their full trusts to the government," said 303rd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin in a statement.

"The encounter also manifests the continuing loss of support of the NPA terrorists in the communities. This is another victory for all the countless victims of the KR-NCBS in Negros island in particular and in the region in general."

The news came just days after the Communist Party of the Philippines, who leads the NPA's armed struggle against foreign intervention, landlessness and government corruption, confirmed the death of their chairperson Benito Tiamzon and their secretary general Wilma Tiamzon.

While the state regards them as "terrorists," a Manila court dismissed the Department of Justice's plea to declare them as such in September 2022.

'A missing NDFP consultant riding with civilians'

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on Friday called on state forces to surface Posadas alongside his companion "Ka Mikmik" and two motorcycle drivers who were said to be with them while traveling in Isabela, Negros Occidental.

"We believe Posadas and the other three were intercepted by state agents along the road. They are missing since April 19, around 6 p.m. They never reached their destination," according to NDFP-Negros spokesperson Ka Bayani Obrero in a statement Friday.

"After experiences in the past wherein revolutionaries were captured and then declared casualties in fake encounters, we are very concerned for our comrades' safety in the hands of fascist state forces."

The NDFP, an umbrella organization of underground revolutionaries from different sectors, pleaded with the government to release the two motorcycle drivers as they were only rented to transport Posadas and Ka Mikmik.

Obrero said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must be made to answer should Posadas and his companions were harmed in any way, "in violation of internal humanitarian law and protocols of war."

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/22/2260863/ndfp-consultant-rogelio-posadas-killed-military-after-alleged-encounter

AFP: Negros NPA leader slain in clash

From the Philippine Star (Apr 23, 2023): AFP: Negros NPA leader slain in clash (By Gilbert Bayoran)

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The military confirmed yesterday the death of a New People’s Army (NPA) leader in the Visayas following an encounter with government troopers at the boundary of Binalbagan and Isabela in Negros Occidental on Thursday.

The remains of Rogelio Posadas, secretary of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, were positively identified by his former comrades, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

The military said two pistols, magazines and ammunition, two blasting caps, a backpack, personal belongings, assorted medicine and subversive documents, including extortion letters, were among those recovered at the site of the encounter during clearing operations.

Posadas was tagged in various atrocities, including murders, kidnappings and arson.

His death came six months after NPA-Negros regional commander Juanito Magbanua was killed in an encounter with soldiers in Himamaylan City.

The National Democratic Front said Posadas and his companions, who were on two motorcycles, have been missing since April 19 after they were intercepted by soldiers in Sitio Jalandoon, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/04/23/2260932/afp-negros-npa-leader-slain-clash

1 soldier killed, another wounded in violence in southern Philippines

From BenarNews (Apr 22, 2023): 1 soldier killed, another wounded in violence in southern Philippines (By Mark Navales and Jeoffrey Maitem)

Troops secure a highway in Maguindanao province, southern Philippines, May 8, 2021. [Mark Navales/BenarNews]

Violence marred the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in the southern Philippines after suspects from a pro-Islamic State group killed a soldier and wounded another on Wednesday.

Troops were securing a highway in the town of Mamasapano in Maguindanao province when militant suspects belonging to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) opened fire at a checkpoint, local army chief Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog said.

The attack instantly killed Pfc. Jorey Abibas while Pfc. Jonathan Nacion was wounded, he said, adding a stray bullet struck a civilian. Nacion’s and the civilian’s injuries were not life threatening.

Pangcog said the militants were possibly responding to the military’s killing of a BIFF commander last month.

“This is in retaliation for that,” Pangcog said.

“We have alerted our detachment and they were looking for the vehicle used by the militants.”

Army troops launched artillery attacks against BIFF positions in the marshes bordering the towns of Pagalungan, Datu Montawal and Pikit following the ambush, said Von Al Haq, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region’s interior minister.

BIFF is a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which was the country’s largest separatist force before it signed a peace pact with the government in 2014.

BIFF, which has openly supported the Islamic State group, has been blamed for several attacks, including bombings in public areas.

The latest ambush came a day before the country’s Muslim minority was to begin the Islamic holy month of fasting.

A large Muslim minority – more than 6 million of 110 million – lives in the southern part of the Philippines, Asia’s only predominantly Catholic nation.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/suspected-biff-attack-03222023110442.html

BIFF supporter killed in clash

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Apr 22, 2023): BIFF supporter killed in clash

ZAMBOANGA. A supporter of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in a clash with government troops in Dalembong village, Shariff Saidona Mustapah, Maguindanao del Sur on Friday, April 21. A photo handout shows an improvised explosive device and a caliber .45 pistol with magazine the troops recover after the clash. (SunStar Zamboanga)

A SUPPORTER of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in a clash with government troops in Maguindanao del Sur, the military reported Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Major General Alex Rillera, Joint Task Force Central commander, said the clash happened around 11:20 a.m. Friday, April 21, in Dalembong village, Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur.

Rillera said killed in the clash was Tugali Galmak alias Datu Guibo, a known supporter and courier of improvised explosive device (IED) of the BIFF.

He said the clash ensued when some 10 fully armed followers of Galmak opened fire prompting the joint elements of the 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) and Provincial Mobile Force Company-Maguindanao del Sur to retaliate while they were about to serve a warrant of arrest against Galmak.


Rillera said the BIFF scampered in different directions, leaving behind the remains of Galmak as well as a caliber .45 pistol with magazine and three rounds of ammunition, and an IED.

The remains of Galmak were turned over to Sharrif Saidona Mustapha Municipal Police Station for proper disposition, while the recovered war materials are under the custody of the 33IB for documentation.

Lieutenant General Roy Galido, Western Mindanao Command chief, lauded the Joint Task Force Central for their remarkable accomplishments in the campaign against terrorism, insurgency and other criminalities.

“Rest assured that we will continue to support the law enforcement operations of our partners to ensure the safety and security of the communities,” Galido said. (SunStar Zamboanga)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1959285/zamboanga/local-news/biff-supporter-killed-in-clash

6 BIFF combatants surrender

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Apr 22, 2023): 6 BIFF combatants surrender

ZAMBOANGA. Six Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) combatants surrender to military authorities in Midsayap, North Cotabato, on Friday, April 21. A photo handout shows the BIFF surrenderers and the high-powered firearms they yielded. (SunStar Zamboanga)

SIX members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to authorities in North Cotabato, the military reported Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Major General Alex Rillera, Joint Task Force Central commander, said the surrenderers are followers of the BIFF-Karialan and Bungos Factions.

They submitted themselves to Brigadier General Donald Gumiran, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, at the headquarters of the 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) on Friday, April 21, in Salunayan village, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The BIFF surrenderers handed over their high-powered firearms and assorted ammunition to the military, including two 7.62-millimeter (MM) Sniper rifles, one 7.62-mm rifle, one .30 caliber Garand rifle, one M79 grenade launcher, and one M14 Springfield rifle.

Gumiran attributed the surrender of the six BIFF followers to the joint efforts of the intelligence units, the 34IB, and the 6th Civil-Military Operations Battalion.

They were formally presented to Midsayap Mayor Rolly Sacdalan and are currently undergoing custodial debriefing facilitated by the 34IB. They received food packs as initial assistance.

Lieutenant General Roy Galido, commander of Western Mindanao Command, commended the BIFF-surrenderers for making the right decision.

“Rest assured that we will immediately process their enrollment in the government’s reintegration program,” he said. (SunStar Zamboanga)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1959284/zamboanga/local-news/6-biff-combatants-surrender

6 more BIFF bomb-makers yield to Army

From the Philippine Star (Apr 22, 2023): 6 more BIFF bomb-makers yield to Army (By John Unson)

The six members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front yielded assault rifles and a grenade launcher to the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion.  Philstar.com / John Unson

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Six more members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters trained in fabrication of improvised explosive devices surrendered in Midsayap town in Cotabato province Friday.

Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, Saturday the six BIFF members agreed to surrender through the backdoor intercession of officials of the Army’s 34 Infantry Battalion and Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran of the 602nd Infantry Brigade.

“Credit for their surrender also has to go to local officials in Midsayap municipality,” Rillera told reporters.

The six surrenderees had confessed to their having fabricated IEDs that the BIFF had used in recent bombings in central Mindanao.

The six men turned in a .30 caliber Garand rifle, two 7.62 millimeter bolt-action sniper rifles, an M79 grenade launcher and an M14 rifle before they renounced their membership with the BIFF during a surrender rite at the headquarters of the 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap.

Rillera said Midsayap Mayor Rolly Sacdalan had assured to help reintroduce the six erstwhile BIFF terrorists to mainstream society.

A total of 289 BIFF members had surrendered to units of the 6th ID in different towns in the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani since 2022.

The BIFF and its allies Dawlah Islamiya and Al-Khobar all have a reputation for bombing commercial establishments and buses if owners refuse to pay “protection money” on a monthly basis.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/04/22/2260862/6-more-biff-bomb-makers-yield-army

Balikatan: Black Hawks in air assault drill; ‘Patriot’ missile seen in action

From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 22, 2022): Balikatan: Black Hawks in air assault drill; ‘Patriot’ missile seen in action (By MARTIN SADONGDONG)

AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine Army (PA) and United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) have conducted an air assault planning exercise which highlighted their capability to operate the Black Hawk helicopter while the Patriot, an American missile defense system heavily used by Ukraine in resisting Russia’s invasion, was utilized in a separate exercise participated by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as part of the ongoing Exercise Balikatan.

• In Nueva Ecija, 81 personnel from the PA’s 99th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division and their USARPAC counterparts held a “hot and cold load training” aboard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at Fort Magsaysay on April 21.

• Meanwhile, personnel from PAF’s 960th Air and Missile Defense Group (AMDG) took part in the Air and Missile Defense subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) together with American counterparts from the US Army's 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC) Center in San Antonio, Zambales on April 19.

• During the training, American subject matter experts demonstrated the capabilities of the Patriot missile defense system and their missile launchers, and taught the Filipino soldiers how to operate the weapons.

The Philippine Army (PA) and United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) conducted an air assault planning exercise which highlighted their capability to operate the Black Hawk helicopter while the Patriot, an American missile defense system heavily used by Ukraine in resisting Russia’s invasion, was utilized in a separate exercise participated by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as part of the ongoing Exercise Balikatan, the military reported on Saturday, April 22.



(Philippine Army soldiers, with guidance from their US Army Pacific [USARPAC] counterparts, take defensive positions during the Balikatan air assault planning exercise at the Aviation Regiment Airstrip, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 21, 2023. Photo by PA)

In Nueva Ecija, 81 personnel from the PA’s 99th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division and their USARPAC counterparts held a “hot and cold load training” aboard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at the Aviation Regiment Airstrip, Fort Magsaysay on April 21.

“Cold load training allows soldiers to load and unload the helicopter while it is not in operation. In contrast to cold load, hot load training allows the troops to load and unload a fully functioning UH-60 Black Hawk with full combat gear,” said Col. Xerxes Trinidad, PA spokesperson.

Cold and hot training is an important training in the military to develop the troops’ ability to enter and exit an aircraft during a live run.

(Participants move towards the aircraft during the commencement of PH-US Balikatan air assault exercise in Zambales on April 19, 2023. Photo by Philippine Air Force / PAF)

A separate air assault exercise was conducted by the PAF in Zambales on April 19 utilizing two Black Hawks to demonstrate the troops’ ability to be quickly deployed in conflict areas and during medical evacuation (medevac), as well as to give them a hands-on experience in performing heliborne assault operations.

Meanwhile, personnel from PAF’s 960th Air and Missile Defense Group (AMDG) took part in the Air and Missile Defense subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) together with American counterparts from the US Army's 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC) Center in San Antonio, Zambales on April 19.

(Experts from the United States Army demonstrate to Filipino troops the specifications and capabilities of the Patriot missile system and its missile launcher during an Air and Missile Defense subject matter expert exchange [SMEE] at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command Center in San Antonio, Zambales on April 19, 2023. Photo by Philippine Air Force)

During the training, American subject matter experts demonstrated the capabilities of the Patriot missile defense system and their missile launchers, and taught the Filipino soldiers how to operate the weapons, said Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson.

The Patriot, which stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a missile defense system consisting of radars, command-and-control technology, and multiple types of interceptors, according to its manufacturer, Raytheon Missiles and Defense.

Considered as the "world’s most advanced air and missile defense system," Patriot is used to detect, identify and defeat tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, advanced aircraft and other threats, and is the foundation of integrated air and missile defense for 18 countries, Raytheon added.

This is the first time that the US military deployed the Patriot missile system to the Philippines and Consuelo believes that the knowledge obtained by the PAF personnel will be beneficial to their modernization efforts.

“The aforementioned exercise broadened the understanding of the Air and Missile System Operators of 960thAMDG on air and missile defense operations. Likewise, it strengthened ties and comradery between the Philippine Air Force and its US counterparts,” Consuelo said.

Bangalore torpedo, APOBS

Meanwhile, PA and USARPAC personnel fired a Bangalore torpedo and anti-personnel obstacle breaching system (APOBS) when they trained in a combat engineer simulation exercise at the 1st Brigade Combat Team Demo Range in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 21.

(Philippine Army [PA] and United State Army combat engineers fire an Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System [APOBS] in the second phase of the Combat Engineer Simulation Exercise at the 1st Brigade Combat Team Demo Range, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 21, 2023. Photo by PA)

Trinidad explained that the Bangalore torpedo is an “explosive charge” placed within one or several connected tubes that is used by combat engineers to clear obstacles that would otherwise require them to approach the target directly.

Meanwhile, APOBS is an “explosive line charge system” that allows safe breaching through complex and anti-personnel obstacles, particularly on land mine fields.

“The said exercise highlighted the interoperability of the Philippine Army and US Army combat engineers in obstacle reduction and elimination. It also bolstered their capability to provide close-in determining capability in support of maneuver forces,” Trinidad noted.

The combat engineers also conducted an SMEE on highly mobile engineer equipment where they dug running trenches and squad firing positions to increase their survivability in combat operations.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/22/balikatan-black-hawks-in-air-assault-drill-patriot-missile-seen-in-action

PH, China agree to establish ‘more lines of communication’ on West Philippine Sea

From Rappler (Apr 22, 2023): PH, China agree to establish ‘more lines of communication’ on West Philippine Sea (By BEA CUPIN)

After defending China's envoy over statements he said were 'lost in translation,' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who is in the Philippines for a three-day visit

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, April 22, said the Philippines and China had agreed to establish “more lines of communications” to resolve “any event that occurs in the West Philippine Sea” that involves the two countries.

Marcos made the statement following a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who is in the Philippines for a three-day visit. Qin paid a courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañang Palace late Saturday, following a meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Marcos, in a statement released via the Presidential Communications Office, said Qin’s visit was very, very useful and very, very productive.”

“Some of the pronouncements that have been made recently by our two countries and many other countries might be misinterpreted,” said Marcos in his statement.

Days prior, China’s top envoy to Manila, Ambassador Huang Xilian, sparked controversy after he publicly advised the Philippines to “unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs.”

In response, Marcos came to Huang’s defense by saying his statement was just “lost in translation.” Huang joined Qin and other top Filipino and Chinese officials during the meeting in Malacañang.

Huang’s controversial statement was in response to the Philippines’ decision to open up four more military bases – many of which are close to Taiwan – to the United States under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Democratically governed Taiwan is growing to be a flashpoint for conflict in the region as China claims it as its territory. The US has said it would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack.

China has criticized the US for supposedly increasing tensions in the region through its military presence. Marcos, meanwhile, had said it was “hard to imagine” the Philippines not getting involved should tensions in Taiwan rise.

Unlike his predecessor, Marcos has seemingly embraced the Philippines’ ties with the US, its longtime treaty partner.

The “largest” Balikatan – annual military exercises between American and Filipino troops – wrap up by the end of April. Then, on May 1, Marcos is set to visit the White House for a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden.

At the same time, Marcos has made it a point to maintain good ties with China, too. He flew to Beijing in early January 2023 for a state visit, during which the Philippines and China signed a deal “establishing direct communication between the foreign ministry of both country at various levels” to avoid mishaps in the West Philippine Sea.

Despite these efforts, China’s aggression in the hotly contested waterway has seemingly only intensified. Manalo had said that Chinese harassment in the South China Sea has become a “daily situation.”

https://www.rappler.com/nation/ph-china-agree-establish-more-lines-communication-west-philippine-sea/

Deployed To Ukraine, US Patriot Missiles Put Up A ‘Mighty Show’ During Mega ‘Anti-China’ Drills In Philippines

 From the Eurasia Times (Apr 22, 2023): Deployed To Ukraine, US Patriot Missiles Put Up A ‘Mighty Show’ During Mega ‘Anti-China’ Drills In Philippines (By Sakshi Tiwari)

As part of ongoing US-Philippines military drills under the ‘Balikatan’ banner, the lethal Black Hawk helicopters and the state-of-the-art Patriot missile defense systems demonstrated their capabilities in a move aimed at bolstering Manila’s combat readiness.

Earlier this month, the largest combat exercises by the United States and the Philippines in decades were launched in the waters across the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. More than 17,600 military men are participating in the annual exercises by the long-term treaty allies.

In an air assault planning drill held as part of these exercises, the Philippine Army (PA) and United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) demonstrated their capabilities using the Black Hawk helicopter, Manila Bulletin reported.

On April 21, 81 personnel of the PA’s 99th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, and their USARPAC counterparts conducted a “hot and cold load training” at the Aviation Regiment Airstrip, Fort Magsaysay.

The military prioritizes cold and hot training to improve the soldiers’ proficiency with entering and leaving an aircraft during a live run.

The Black Hawk helicopters also saw action with the air force. The Philippines Air Force (PAF) carried out a separate air assault exercise in Zambales on April 19 using two Black Hawks to demonstrate the troops’ readiness for rapid deployment in combat situations and during the medical evacuation and to give them practical experience carrying out heliborne assault operations.

S-70i Black Hawk helicopters of the Philippine Air Force (via Twitter)

Manila purchased these advanced military choppers not too long ago. The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) signed a contract to acquire 32 additional S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters last year, taking the number of Black Hawks in its fleet to 48.

The S-70i Black Hawk helicopter is the newest member of the Black Hawk series of multi-mission aircraft. Mission-specific configurations for the S-70i helicopter include troop transport and air assault, command and control, border patrol, search and rescue, cargo lift, and VIP transportation.

Besides the Black Hawk helicopters, another system saw simulated combat action: the venerable and sought-after Patriot missile defense system.

On April 19, at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC) Center in San Antonio, Zambales, personnel from the PAF’s 960th Air and Missile Defense Group (AMDG) and American counterparts from the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade participated in the Air and Missile Defense subject matter expert exchange (SMEE).File Image: Patriot Systems

PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo announced that American subject matter experts displayed the Patriot missile defense system’s capabilities and its missile launchers while instructing the Filipino soldiers on how to use the system. Patriot is a missile defense system comprising radars, command-and-control technology, and various interceptors.

Consuelo believes that the PAF personnel will benefit from the expertise they get due to the US military’s first deployment of the Patriot missile system to the Philippines. Earlier this month, the Patriot missile system was deployed in Aparri in the Cagayan province in the northern Philippines.

“The aforementioned exercise broadened the understanding of the Air and Missile System Operators of 960thAMDG on air and missile defense operations. Likewise, it strengthened ties and comradery between the Philippine Air Force and its US counterparts,” Consuelo said.
US-Philippines Military Cooperation Is Strengthening

The Balikatan exercises are the most recent American show of force in Asia, where Washington has frequently cautioned China about its more assertive activities in the disputed South China Sea and against Taiwan.

The Biden administration has established a network of allies in the Indo-Pacific to fight China better, including in a potential conflict over Taiwan.

This aligns with the country’s efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect its territorial interests in the South China Sea by stepping up joint military drills with the US and permitting rotating groups of American forces to stay in more Philippine military bases under a 2014 defense agreement.

The drills, the biggest in Balikatan’s three-decade history, involve over 12,200 US military personnel, 5,400 Filipino forces, and 111 Australian troops. “We are not provoking anybody by simply exercising,” Colonel Michael Logico, a Philippine spokesperson for Balikatan, told reporters ahead of the drills.

“This is actually a form of deterrence,” Logico said. “Deterrence is when we are discouraging other parties from invading us.”

As China continues to expand its territorial claims and assert sovereignty over the South China Sea, it is believed to have pushed The Philippines closer to its long-term ally, the United States. The ongoing drills and their locations close to Taiwan are likely to enrage China which has already criticized the US for expanding its presence in the region.

Earlier this year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Philippines’ Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez said in a joint news conference at the Philippine military headquarters in Manila that the United States would be given access to four more bases under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Three of the sites are on the main island of Luzon, near Taiwan, while one is in Palawan province in the South China Sea (SCS). China, on its part, has vehemently opposed the move by Manila to provide additional access to its military bases in Washington.

However, the cooperation between the two states practicing under the Balikatan banner will only deepen when the exercises conclude on April 28.

https://eurasiantimes.com/deployed-to-ukraine-us-patriot-missiles-put-up-a-mighty-show-during-mega-anti-china-drills-in-philippines/

WESCOM: LOOK | WESCOM conducts Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure as part of the Balikatan (BK) 38-23 events

Posted to the Western Command (WESCOM) Facebook Page (Apr 21, 2023): LOOK | WESCOM conducts Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure as part of the Balikatan (BK) 38-23 events

Western Command (WESCOM), through 3rd Marine Brigade and its subordinate units, participates in the conduct of Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) held at the Joint Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center in Barangay Magarwak, Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City. Also among the participants were the Philippine Coast Guard, 2nd Special Operations Unit of the PNP Maritime Group, and the US armed forces.

CPT Kenny, an officer from the Marine Special Operations Command of the US Marine Corps, facilitated the 10-day training event which started last April 12, 2023. Some of the actual VBSS trainings were conducted on board Motorized Vessel (M/V) Palawan Coast at the port area of Barangay Liwanag, Puerto Princesa City.

VBSS is a critical skill set for military personnel, particularly those involved in maritime operations. The ability to quickly and effectively board and search a vessel is crucial in preventing illegal activities at sea and maintaining security in the maritime environment. The exercise, which included scenarios involving boarding of vessels suspected of engaging in illegal activities, was designed to enhance the capabilities of troops in carrying out VBSS operations, which are often conducted in challenging situations.

The VBSS training event was just one of the many training opportunities provided during BK 30-23 to enhance capabilities and maintain readiness of the two allies, the Philippines and the US.
The participating team performed exceptionally well during the said training event. Their professionalism, expertise, and dedication to the task at hand ensured that the operations were carried out safely and effectively.

 
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https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=607826884712943&set=pcb.607827174712914

https://www.facebook.com/wescom/