Japan, PH to hold first naval drill in South China Sea-sources

From ABS-CBN (May 9): Japan, PH to hold first naval drill in South China Sea-sources

Japan and the Philippines will hold their first joint naval drill this month in the South China Sea near a disputed shoal claimed by Beijing, sources in Tokyo and the Philippines said.

The May 12 maritime safety exercise, which will practice the code for unplanned encounters at sea, known as CUES, is part of an agreement signed by Japan and the Philippines in January aimed at tightening security cooperation.

The nature of the training is unlikely to worry China unduly, as it has conducted similar exercises with the United States in the past.

But the presence of Japanese naval vessels in the South China Sea signals Japan's growing interest in the region, and may irritate Beijing as criticism of its land reclamation projects there mounts.

"The exercise will not be far from Scarborough Shoal," one of the sources in Japan said, referring to a rocky outcrop which China seized in 2012 after a three-month standoff with the Philippines.

The two-hour practice within Philippines territorial waters near Subic Bay, a former U.S. navy base, will involve a Japanese warship and a Philippines navy frigate, a spokesman at the Philippines Navy said.

A spokesman for Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force declined to comment.

China, which claims about 90 percent of the 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mile) South China Sea, is asserting its territorial claims by building a chain of man-made islands on coral reefs in the Spratly archipelago.

The Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam also claim large parts of the sea.

Recent satellite images show China is reclaiming land around seven reefs in the Spratlys, and is building what appears to be an airstrip on one of the artificial islands.

Although it has no territorial claims in the South China Sea, Tokyo is worried that Beijing's domination of the region could give it control of international waterways through which a significant portion of Japanese trade travels.

Japan's military is considering joining the United States in maritime air patrols in the South China Sea as a counterweight to growing Chinese power, sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters last month.

That strategy, which is being encouraged by the Philippines, is spurring closer security ties between Manila and Tokyo. Their defense agreement in January also established regular vice-ministerial defense talks and exchanges of senior officers.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/09/15/japan-ph-hold-first-naval-drill-south-china-sea-sources

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Basilan

From ABS-CBN (May 9): 2 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Basilan

Two suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed by government soldiers on Thursday morning.

The military said Abu Sayyaf member Hakim Entong and an unidentified ASG member under Ustadz Abbas Alam died following a 30-minute gun battle with soldiers in Barangay Tuburan, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan.

The troops involved in the gun battle were from the 4th Special Forces Battalion under Joint Task Group Basilan. A civilian volunteer led by Basakan Barangay Chairman Manding Salih also aided the military.

Prior to the killing of the two bandits, about 30 civilian volunteers confronted Alam's group for 45 minutes in Barangay Tuburan.

No casualty was reported on the side of the government.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/09/15/2-abu-sayyaf-bandits-killed-basilan

Philippines, Japan to hold naval drills off Subic Bay, Corregidor Island

From the Philippine News Agency (May 9): Philippines, Japan to hold naval drills off Subic Bay, Corregidor Island

The Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force will be holding a series of exercises off the waters of Subic Bay, Zambales and Corregidor Island this coming May 12.

This was confirmed by PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna Friday.

He added that the PN will use the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) while the JMSDF will use a still unnamed naval vessel.

The two navies will conduct a so-called "Passez" or passing exercises to apply the "code of unplanned encounters at sea" via radio, Lincuna said.

During the exercises, the PN and JMSDF will also perform "deck landing qualification," or helicopter landing operations aboard ships.

Members of the JMSDF participating in the drills are set to arrive in the Philippines Saturday.

It will be the second time for the PN and JMSDF to hold a Passex, following the one they conducted off Palawan on Sept. 25, 2014, after they participated in the Australia-hosted Kakadu naval exercises.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=760142

4 AFP units now in 'blue alert' for 'Dodong'

From the Philippine News Agency (May 9): 4 AFP units now in 'blue alert' for 'Dodong'

With Typhoon "Dodong" threatening a huge portion of Luzon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it is upgrading the alert status of four of its units to "blue alert" for any eventualities.

This was stressed by 7th Civil Relations Company commander Major Emmanuel Garcia in a message to the PNA.

"Southern Luzon Command covering Bicol Region, Northern Luzon Command covering Northern and Central Luzon, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and General Headquarters and Service Company are placed on 'blue alert'," he added.

"Blue alert" refers to having 50 percent of available troops and their supporting equipment in stand-by for possible deployment.

While Major Services (Army, Navy and Air Force) strategic humanitarian assistance and disaster relief units are on "red alert" or all available units and assets are ready for instant deployment if needed.

Garcia also said that Major Services commanders are also given discretion to upgrade their alert status within their respective commands.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=760205

Two Japanese ships now in Manila for naval drills with PN

From the Philippine News Agency (May 9): Two Japanese ships now in Manila for naval drills with PN

Two of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF)'s most capable ships, the JDS Harusame (DD-102) and JDS Amigiri (DD-154), have arrived at the Manila South Harbor Saturday.

The two ships, carrying a combined complement of 600 officers and enlisted personnel, arrived at 10 a.m., Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna said.

Lincuna said the two ships would participate in the scheduled naval exercise to be held off the waters of Subic Bay and Manila Bay

"The exercises we will be having are aimed at fostering camaraderie, as well as enhancing cooperation and interoperability," he added.

The navies will be participating in on-ship helicopter operations, cross-deck training, in-port ship store, discussions on practices, and a passing exercise at sea.

Lincuna said the PN will be deploying the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) and her AW-109E naval helicopter.

He added that the passing exercise would be held in waters of the West Philippine Sea, between Manila and Subic Bay, on Tuesday as the Japanese ships return home.

During their stay, officials of the Japanese warships will also pay a courtesy call and have discussions with PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus Millan. (PNA)
RMA/PFN

AFP disaster response units activated for 'Dodong'

From the Philippine News Agency (May 9): AFP disaster response units activated for 'Dodong'
 

With Typhoon "Dodong" threatening a huge part of Luzon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ordered the activation of its disaster response task units (DRTUs) in the affected provinces.

Activated were DRTUs of SOLCOM (Southern Luzon Command) covering Bicol Region, and NOLCOM (Northern Luzon Command) covering Central and Northern Luzon for HADR (humanitarian assistance disaster relief) effective evening of May 8.

All units and soldiers were ordered on full alert, 7th Civil Relations Group commander Major Emmanuel Garcia said on Saturday.

Garcia also said that the AFP had already met with provincial and local government units to identify high risk areas and locations where temporary shelters could be erected.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=760294