BRP Tarlac to drop anchor off Manila by Saturday -- PN

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13): BRP Tarlac to drop anchor off Manila by Saturday -- PN

The country's first-ever strategic sealift vessel (SSV), the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), is expected to drop anchor off Manila Bay where she and her crew will undergo Customs and Immigration Quarantine (CIQ) Saturday.

This was disclosed by Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Friday.

"(By Saturday morning), BRP Tarlac will arrive at anchorage area off Manila for CIQ," he said.

Lincuna said BRP Tarlac entered Philippine territory upon sailing Sibutu passage, Tawi-Tawi Thursday.

He added that the SSV is now sailing towards her Manila destination.

BRP Tarlac left the Surabaya shipyard of Indonesian contract PT PAL (Persero) last May 9.

Prior to its departure, BRP Tarlac has successfully concluded her sea trials, he added.

Sea trials refer to the testing phases which aims to check the performance of all machineries and equipment of the SSV.

"It is also conducted to check and measure the ship's general performance and seaworthiness," he added.

The Philippines has two SSV orders with PT PAL (Persero) for Php3,870,000,000 which was sourced from the AFP Modernization Fund.

The SSV acquisition project for the PN was initiated upon the approval of Acquisition Decision Memorandum Number 2012-060 by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin last Oct. 30, 2013.

The Department of National Defense (DND) declared Persero as the Single Calculated Responsive Bidder with a bidding price of Php3,870,000,000 on Nov. 18, 2014.

The SSVs are programmed to be the PN’s floating command center carrying out their main purpose as military sealift and transport vessels and also for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The ships are estimated to weigh around 7,300 gross register tons.

Further, these vessels are critical assets for civil-military operations due to their capability of transporting large number of soldiers, logistics, and supplies.

Moreover, each SSV has the capacity to house three helicopters. The Navy’s Augusta Westland-109s are programmed to be on-board components of these vessels.

These forthcoming landing platform dock strategic sealift vessels will improve the transport capability of the PN and boost the defense capabilities of the country.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=885075

Php7.3-M allocated for repair of S-211 jet trainer

From the Philippine News Agency (May 13): Php7.3-M allocated for repair of S-211 jet trainer

In line with efforts to ensure that all of its available aircraft are mission-worthy and flyable at all times, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that it has allocated the sum of Php7,333,482.35 for the acquisition of services needed for the maintenance and repair of one of its three SIAI-Marchetti S-211 jet trainers.

Pre-bid conference is slated on May 20 at 9 a.m. at thePAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

Bid opening is on June 2, 9 a.m., at the same venue.

The S-211 is one of PAF's two jet-powered aircraft after the Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle."It is primarily used for air-to-ground and surveillance missions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=884964

GRSE to Export Light Frigates to Philippines

From Defense News (May 12): GRSE to Export Light Frigates to Philippines

In a major win for the Indian warship building industry, India's state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has emerged as the winner for Philippine Navy's big-ticket modernization program.

GRSE was the lowest bidder to supply two light frigates and hopes to seal the contract worth more than $321 million in the next two months, said one GRSE official.

A total of four firms joined the bidding for the Philippine Navy project: GRSE; Hyundai Heavy Industries Inc. and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd., both from South Korea; and Navantia S.A. of Spain.

GRSE, administered by the Indian Ministry of Defence, has built 95 warships, including frigates, corvettes and fast patrol boats, since 1960.

GRSE's light frigate will be a design based on the Indian Navy's Kamorta-class anti-submarine corvette and will be capable of withstanding Sea State 7, which means it can withstand a wave height of up to 9 meters.

The 2,000-tonne frigate will be 95 meters long, have a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) configuration propulsion system and be able to work in an area contaminated with nuclear, biological, and chemical agents.

In addition, it will have a tactical data link and radio capable of tactical communication. The frigates will have 76mm naval guns and fire control radar with a built-in electro-optical tracking system integrated into the Combat Management System (CMS).

The state-owned Goa Shipyard is also building two OPVs for the Sri Lankan Navy under India's government-to-government exchange agreement with Sri Lanka. First OPV will be delivered by end of this year and second OPV by middle of next year.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/05/12/grse-export-light-frigates-philippines/84280572/

Beijing lashes out at South China Sea tribunal

From the Straits Times (May 12): Beijing lashes out at South China Sea tribunal

Panel abused power, was unjust in taking up Manila's case: China



A 2014 file photo showing the BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that was run aground atop the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in 1999, in a bid by Manila to check the advance of Beijing in the South China Sea. The South China Sea faces competing territorial claims from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.PHOTO: REUTERS

An international arbitration tribunal abused its powers and acted unjustly by taking up Manila's case against Beijing over their South China Sea dispute, China has said in its latest attempt to justify why it refused to take part in the proceedings or accept the impending ruling.

Senior diplomat Xu Hong said at a media briefing yesterday that the tribunal's five judges had "rushed" to hear the case without examining the link between Manila's claims and territorial sovereignty.

The Philippines has submitted claims in three areas: clarifying the legality of China's nine-dash line that covers a large swathe of the South China Sea; the status of Chinese-occupied features such as reefs and their maritime entitlements; and China's activities in what the Philippines considers its exclusive economic zone.
Mr Xu pointed out how the Philippine Foreign Ministry, a day after taking the case to the United Nations in January 2013, had explicitly said the purpose was "to protect (its) national territory and maritime domain" and talked about not surrendering its national sovereignty.

"Even the Philippines itself has laid bare its actual objective, so why did the Arbitral Tribunal turn a deaf ear?" said Mr Xu, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Treaties and Law department.



He alleged that at least two of the five judges had reversed their academic stances to justify the tribunal's decision last October that it had jurisdiction over the case.

He pointed out that the tribunal's opinion - that entitlement and legal status of maritime features can be separated from maritime delimitation - is not only contradictory to the practice of international law but also inconsistent with the propositions held by at least two arbitrators in their previous writings.

"They had held that the legal status and maritime entitlements of maritime features are closely linked with maritime delimitation, but now they have reversed their position. I guess they owe the world a credible explanation," said Mr Xu.

Territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation are among the areas that Beijing has chosen to exclude from arbitration proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea since 2006.

Mr Xu said the tribunal's "abuse of power" justifies China's decision to ignore the ruling expected early next month. In doing so, he said, China is also protecting the sanctity of international law and fulfilling earlier pacts with Manila on resolving South China Sea spats through bilateral negotiations, even though Manila "has not kept its word".

China has been holding media briefings on the case and canvassing support from other countries to influence public opinion ahead of the ruling.

Professor Zhang Mingliang, a Sino-Asean relations expert at Jinan University, noted that it is likely the first time that the Chinese government has turned from attacking Manila to criticising the tribunal.

He told The Straits Times that Beijing's move might backfire, adding: "Casting aspersions on the judges' credibility... may not be well accepted by many, especially coming from a big country.

"And even if it is true that some judges did change their position, focusing on them now may give the impression that China is launching personal attacks out of desperation to minimise the impact of the case."

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/beijing-lashes-out-at-south-china-sea-tribunal

MILF: SBMAD conducts advocacy on the peace process and Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 12): SBMAD conducts advocacy on the peace process and Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign



The Sibugay Bangsamoro Association for Development (SBMAD) in partnership with community Leaders of Zamboanga Sibugay conducted advocacy on GPH-MILF Peace process and Anti-Illegal Drugs campaign held at Sitio Tantawan, Gulayan, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay on May 7. 2016. 

The organizers emphasized the activity’s objectives by reminding local constituents on the advantage of having a doable peace that redounds to development in the province.

The organizers also stressed the importance of anti- Illegal drugs campaign particularly in Moros Communities by establishing feasible partnership and cooperation with the local government units.

The organizers had been closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their respective localities in undertaking anti-illegal drugs campaign. 

In his message, Ustadz Abdurahman Mamiscal, a Moro community leader in Zamboanga-Sibugay welcomed and thanked the attendees who represented various Bangsamoro sectors and line agencies from adjacent municipalities and barangays.

“Every Bangsamoro must share his/her part with consistent commitment in sustaining the gains of the peace process forged between Philippines Government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on March 27, 2014 which is a product of seventeen years of hard work and protracted negotiations.  We pray that the incoming administration will implement it”, Mamiscal stressed.  

Mr. Tirso S. Tahir, a special guest from the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) gave significant emphasis on the GPH-MILF Peace process and urged the community leaders to be more responsive in peace-building endeavors through active participation in community activities related to peace and development.

Officers from Bangsamoro Development Agency-Regional Management Office (BDA-RMO) Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) presented a report on activities and projects implemented in the communities under the auspices of United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and other international funding donors.

In his closing message, Sheikh Abdulrazak Abbas, Head of Ma’had Ibno Uthaimin Islamic Institute, Kabasalan, Zamboanga-Sibugay quoted some verses from Noble Qur’an and Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) related to promoting peace and about Jihad in Islam where some people still misunderstood and misapplied its true concept, objectives and applications.

Uz. Mamiscal, Mr. Darwin Matindo and other SBMAD officers facilitated the program.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/73-westhern-mindanao/731-sbmad-conducts-advocacy-on-the-peace-process-and-anti-illegal-drugs-campaign

MILF: Rasid Ladiasan, MILF CCCH Chair passes away

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 12): Rasid Ladiasan, MILF CCCH Chair passes away



Words of sympathies and condolences shower over the family of the Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), Rasid Ladiasan, for his demise yesterday (May 11) afternoon after months of battling against lung cancer.

Von Al Haq, former MILF-CCCH Chair, where Ladiasan served as the CCCH Head of the Secretariat in 2005, hoped the latter will “reap the reward from the Almighty for his participation in the Bangsamoro struggle.”

“His passing away is God’s will. May the Almighty grant him paradise,” Al Haq said. “Brother Rasid served four CCCH chairmen before the (MILF) Central Committee designated him to chair the CCCH in 2014,” he added.

Together with the MILF Peace panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, Ladiasan appeared in 2015 at the Senate probe on the Mamasapano encounter.

Doctor Amor Pendaliday related that Ladiasan was the founding officer and organizer of the Agency for Youth Affairs, founding director of the Center for Muslim Youth Studies, Inc. and compiler of the speeches of the late MILF Chairman Sheikh Salamat Hashim.

”Thank you for the good company we shared since 1990s,” Pendaliday posted in his facebook wall. “We pray Allah Subhanu wa ta Ala to bless and reward you with Jannatul Firdhaus,” he added.

Extending condolences to the bereaved family of Ladiasan, prominent peace advocate from Lanao, Drieza Lininding said, “We lost a comrade and young leader in the Bangsamoro.”

“Bangsamoro lost a great son. May your journey be shrouded with clouds of peace and justice, Bai (Cebuano for friend) Rashid,” said photojournalist Froilan Gallardo.

“Brother Rashid was a true Mujahid, revolutionary, and an exemplary youth leader, he was one of my mentor,” Moro writer Mubarak Dumato said.

“He is a Great Mujahid. Allah will reward him Jannah. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioun,” said Tu Alfonso, another Moro scribe.

“A dedicated and courageous Mujahid,” Doctor Saffrullah Dipatuan, Chairman of the Bangsamoro Development Agency described Ladiasan adding, “Kind, passionate, selfless, energetic and fearless are some of the words that describes the character of this young man.”

Former BDA Chair of Basilan Tony Sakkalahul said, “Our prayer may all his sins be forgiven and all good deeds be rewarded, In sha Allah!.”

“It's sad that he never got to see the full realization of all his hardship and struggle. May Allah grant you paradise, Kaka Rasid.” said Andrew Alonto from the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

“A fellow youth peace worker in the 1990s and peer in the National youth Parliament, we lighted candles in Marawi amidst uncertainties. MAY THE LIGHT REACH YOU IN JANNAH, RAS,” said Samira Gutoc, Moro Journalist and former Assemblywoman of the ARMM.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/730-rasid-ladiasan-milf-ccch-chair-passes-away

MILF: Poll watchdogs dismayed over conduct of election in Maguindanao

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 11): Poll watchdogs dismayed over conduct of election in Maguindanao



“Despite series of advocacies undertaken by groups of poll watchdogs to prevent election-related violence (ERV’s) in the recently- concluded election, violence still occurred at some polling precincts in the towns of Guindulongan, GSKP, Sultan sa Barongis, Rajah Buayan, Talitay, Pagalungan, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Piang, and Mamasapano and other areas of Maguindano”,  Maguindanao Peace Advocates (MPA) said during an interview by Voice FM 99.0 in Cotabato City.

On May 9 at around 6AM, commotions erupted at Guindulungan Elementary School in Guindulungan town that led to the fatal shooting of still unidentified 20 year-old boy by a gunman allegedly from the camp of the opponent of incumbent Mayor Datu Midpantao Midtimbang.

A poll watchdog report said that the harassment mostly occurred in the afore-mentioned municipalities through intimidation, gun strafing, grenade throwing and commotions that injured a number of victims.  The violence that occurred in various areas of Maguindanao caused fear among voters.

Some analyst said the eagerness of some voters to cast their votes for their chosen candidates that could make drastic changes in the country triggered the commotions.

On the other hand, the leadership of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) issued anew another statement reiterating its position that it will not endorse any candidate but with a general guideline reminding the Moro people to choose one that will support the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the Bangsamoro’s right to self- determination.

MILF leadership also hoped for the conduct of clean, fair and honest elections.

MPA, 4cs, CCCOMME and the security sectors were optimistic that peace shall prevail as long as peace advocate groups remain patient to continue what has been started not only during election period but until lasting peace is attained in Mindanao.

The funds utilized for the activities of these poll watchdogs courtesy of PPCRV and TAF.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/728-poll-watchdogs-dismayed-over-conduct-of-election-in-maguindanao

MILF: Survey says 45% of Filipinos believe next president should implement the CAB

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 9): Survey says 45% of Filipinos believe next president should implement the CAB



The latest SWS survey showed 45% of the Filipinos believe that the next president should implement the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), a peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) according to a report of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) posted in its website.

Commissioned by the OPAPP, the survey was conducted from March 30 to April 2 among 1,500 respondents nationwide.

Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said as quoted in the said report, “The survey proves that the most Filipinos want to sustain the gains achieved by President Benigno S. Aquino III and his administration in resolving the Bangsamoro issue.”

The peace deal provides the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by the Philippine Congress that will lay down the foundation for an autonomous Bangsamoro government aimed to end the decades of conflict in Southern Philippines. The CAB-compliant has more fiscal and political power.

Of the five presidential candidates, only Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Administration bet Mar Roxas have commitment to deliver the BBL.

The Bangsamoro people are hopeful that the next Administration will comply with the peace deal signed by the Aquino Administration.

The MILF leadership said they will not accept BBL that is not compliant to CAB for it shall not address the Bangsamoro question.

MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said the MILF is committed to pursue the peace process despite the failure of the Congress to pass the proposed law.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/19-national/726-survey-says-45-of-filipinos-believe-next-president-should-implement-the-cab

MNLF: Video -- Vice News Interview by Jamela Alindogan: Fighting for Peace in the Philippines

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front Website (May 10): Video -- Vice News Interview by Jamela Alindogan: Fighting for Peace in the Philippines

        

 

http://mnlfnet.com/Articles/Interview_10May2016_Fighting%20for%20Peace%20in%20the%20Philippines.htm

MNLF: Video -- Vice News Interview by Jamela Alindogan: Chairnam Nur Weighs in on Philippine Presidential Election

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front Website (May 6): Video -- Vice News Interview by Jamela Alindogan: Chairnam Nur Weighs in on Philippine Presidential Election

 

 

http://mnlfnet.com/Articles/Interview_10May2016_Chairman%20Nur%20Weighs%20In%20On%20Philippine%20Presidential%20Election.htm

Thousands in Mindanao flee their homes due to armed harassment

From GMA News (May 13): Thousands in Mindanao flee their homes due to armed harassment

Some 14,000 residents in Maguindanao's Pagalungan town fled their homes due to alleged harassment by an armed group in the area.

Citing local authorities, a report on Unang Balita said unidentified armed men fired their guns randomly near Barangay Inug-og during last Monday's polls.

Earlier that day, armed men fired a rifle grenade near an elementary school in the town.

Residents from six barangays in the Pagalungan town have evacuated after the firing incidents, the report said.

Authorities suspects that the armed men were members of a private army of a losing local candidate.

Security forces have been deployed in the area to secure the town's residents.

Meanwhile, hundreds of civilians living at the boundary of have fled their homes due to an alleged clash of political families.

Residents who have sought refuge in Pikit town in Cotabato are temporarily being accommodated at the municipal gym.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/566126/news/regions/thousands-in-mindanao-flee-their-homes-due-to-armed-harassment

China, US should manage South China Sea differences constructively – Chinese general

From GMA News (May 13): China, US should manage South China Sea differences constructively – Chinese general

China and the United States should manage their differences over disputed waters in the South China Sea constructively, one of China's top military officials has said.

Fang Fenghui, a member of China's Central Military Commission, told General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the two sides should "refrain from actions detrimental to the relations between the two countries and the two militaries," state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday.

Fang and Dunford discussed the South China Sea in a video link-up on Thursday, it said.

The discussion comes at a time of heightened tension between China and the United States, which have traded accusations of militarising the South China Sea as China implements large-scale land reclamation and construction on disputed features while the United States has increased its patrols and exercises.

On Tuesday, China scrambled fighter jets as a US navy guided missile destroyer sailed close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea and denounced the patrol as an illegal threat to peace.

The US Defence Department said the latest "freedom of navigation" operation was undertaken to "challenge excessive maritime claims" by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam that were seeking to restrict navigation rights in the South China Sea.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.

Fang said China was not to blame for tensions with the United States in the South China Sea and urged the two sides "to bear the overall situation in mind and manage their differences in a constructive way," Xinhua reported early on Friday.

Xinhua quoted Dunford as calling for restraint in the South China Sea, and saying the United States was willing to work with China to establish "an effective mechanism on risk control so as to maintain stability in the South China Sea by peaceful means."

The South China Sea was also discussed at a separate meeting between Sun Jianguo, an admiral and deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, and Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, vice chief of the Australian Defense Force.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull backed the United States on Thursday in its latest South China Sea patrol. Australia has consistently supported US-led freedom of navigation activities there.

China's Defence Ministry said Sun told Griggs the South China Sea was not and should not become an issue between China and Australia, and that Australia should not do anything that "harms regional peace and stability or Sino-Australia ties." 

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/566131/news/world/china-us-should-manage-south-china-sea-differences-constructively-chinese-general

US hospital ship leaves San Diego for Pacific Partnership Mission

From Update.Ph (May 12): US hospital ship leaves San Diego for Pacific Partnership Mission  

United States hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) operating under the US Military Sealift Command has departed San Diego, May 11, for the Pacific Partnership 2016, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs said. Pacific Partnership is an annual maritime operation designed to improve disaster response preparedness while enhancing partnerships with participating nations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Indonesia, Timor Leste, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, and Vietnam are slated to host Mercy during PP16 and participate in subject-matter expert and civil-military exchanges, emphasizing the importance of cooperation on a global scale in preparing for and responding to disasters. Japan will also lead a mission to Palau.

“This year’s mission is led by Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, embarked on Mercy, along with more than 600 military and civilian personnel from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Republic of Korea and Japan.” Pacific Partnership Public Affairs said.

“It is a privilege and honor to be the Pacific Partnership mission commander. As in previous years, it attracts a very talented and dynamic group of professionals who will not only share their knowledge with our partners, but learn a great deal from the partner nations we are visiting,” said Capt. Tom Williams, commodore, DESRON 23.

 “Pacific Partnership’s enduring value is in building professional and personal relationships in times of calm to be better prepared for crisis, so when disaster strikes we have a mutual understanding of how to work together to achieve common goals.”

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/us-hospital-ship-leaves-san-diego-for-pacific-partnership-mission/5558

US awards contracts for Cessna aircraft surveillance systems involving Philippines

From Update.Ph (May 13): US awards contracts for Cessna aircraft surveillance systems involving Philippines  

The United States government through its Defense Department has entered into couple of contracts that involve pseudo foreign military and foreign military sales to the Philippines. The contracts are with North American Surveillance System and L-3 Communications Corporation.

The contracts also involve pseudo foreign military and foreign military sales to Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

“North American Surveillance Systems, Titusville, Florida, has been awarded a $39,983,647 firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract action. Contractor will provide modification and integration of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities into Cessna 208B aircraft, training, and field service representative support,” US Defense department said in a press release dated May 9.

“L-3 Communications Corp., doing business as Communication Systems West, Salt Lake City, Utah, has been awarded a $14,185,927 firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract action for Cessna 208B intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) program production of ISR capabilities and spares,” it added.

Fiscal 2016 Section 2282 and counter-terrorism partnership funds are being obligated at the time of award for both contracts.

Works are expected to be completed September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/us-awards-contracts-for-cessna-aircraft-surveillance-systems-involving-philippines/5593

Philippine-Brazil Defense Cooperation Agreement under negotiation

From Update.Ph (May 13): Philippine-Brazil Defense Cooperation Agreement under negotiation  

Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Jose D.R. Burgos has met with Undersecretary of National Defense Fernando I. Manalo during the ambassador’s recent official consultation meetings in the Philippines in April 2016. They have discussed the pending defense agreement and the aircraft acquisition from Brazil’s Embraer aircraft manufacturer.

The Department of National Defense is currently in process of acquiring six Close Air Support Aircraft with Embraer’s Super Tucano as the strongest contender.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that during the meeting Manalo was informed about the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Brasilia to develop further areas of defense cooperation between the Philippines and Brazil including the pending Philippine-Brazil Agreement on Defense Cooperation, the Philippine Air Force’s aircraft acquisition from Brazil’s Embraer aircraft manufacturer, and the West Philippine Sea among others.

“The Ambassador’s meeting with Undersecretary Manalo signifies the continuing efforts of cooperation between the two agencies in furtherance of the country’s security and defense interests,” DFA said.

“The Brazilian Air Force has offered Air Safety and Control Tower Operations for Officers of the Philippine Air Force while the Brazilian Army signified willingness to have joint Jungle Warfare Training with the Philippine Army,” DFA added.

Moreover, the Brazilian Navy is interested in exchange of training programs with the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Courses as well as Brazilian middle and senior military officers taking up Masters in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/philippine-brazil-defense-cooperation-agreement-under-negotiation/5596