Military personnel elated over EO raising combat pay of front line troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): Military personnel elated over EO raising combat pay of front line troops

Military personnel, especially those serving in front line units deployed in active zones, are very happy with President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order (EO) 3 which fixed their monthly combat pay to PHP3,000 effective September 1.

Considered as front line areas in the Philippine military are Basilan, Sulu and Maguindanao.

This was stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in press conference Monday.

"Morale of our troops, especially those serving in front-line areas, have skyrocketed with news of these latest benefits. They are happy that their sacrifices are now being recognized more," he said in Filipino.

This is PHP2,500 higher than the PHP500 given to qualified military personnel, he added.

EO 3 also stipulates troopers, in front line units and have lawfully engaged enemy or hostile forces, are entitled to receive a daily combat incentive pay of PHP300 but not higher than PHP3,000.

Padilla said that an estimated 70,000 AFP personnel, mostly ground forces, are expected to receive these benefits.

Initially, these benefits will be taken from the AFP's Miscellaneous Personnel Funds for 2016, he added.

Padilla is hopeful that the 2017 General Appropriations Act, which is now under deliberation, will include the new combat pay and combat incentive pay.

The AFP spokesperson estimates that the military needs an additional PHP5 billion to fund these benefits.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928242

Inter-agency work difficult but necessary -- DND chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): Inter-agency work difficult but necessary -- DND chief

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said inter-agency work is challenging but is imperative.

He made this statement during the just concluded ASEAN-US Defense Dialogue in Hawaii last September 30.

His views were equally shared by the other defense ministers attending the forum.

Lorenzana elaborated on the Philippines' experience with inter-agency work in dealing with maritime security concerns through the National Coast Watch System.

The DND chief said inter-agency may well be the way forward in regard to the trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, an initiative that has recently taken off given the commitment of the three countries' defense ministers.

Meeting in Hawaii, the defense ministers of ASEAN and the US exchanged views on common security challenges specifically natural and man-made disasters, maritime security and violent extremism and terrorism.

Addressing these challenges also necessitate interaction and collaborative effort across levels, from the tactical to the operational and at the policy level.

Policy will set the direction but things need to be concretized at the operational and tactical level.

Timely sharing of information is something that must likewise be undertaken.

Having maritime domain awareness is key in the ability of countries to share information with their other partners.

Hosted by the US Department of Defense, this is the second ASEAN-US informal dialogue held in the US after the first one was conducted in 2014.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928260

PHL, Malaysia, Indonesia agree to explore joint air patrols in transit areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): PHL, Malaysia, Indonesia agree to explore joint air patrols in transit areas

The defense chiefs of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to explore joint air patrols in transit corridors considered by the three nations as maritime areas of common concern.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin and Indonesian Defense Minister Ryacudu reached the agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN-US Defense Dialogue in Hawaii last October 1.

The trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia contributes to a stronger ASEAN, the defense department's assistant secretary for strategic assessment Raymund Jose Quilop said in a statement issued Monday.

Quilop said the cooperation among the three nations is driven by the need to address the rising incidents of armed robbery at sea, kidnapping and piracy in the three countries' areas of common concern.

He noted that the trilateral meeting has evolved to become a platform for the defense ministers to address other emerging common concerns to include violent extremism.

Quilop further said that the return of fighters from the conflict in the Middle East could eventually create security challenges for the three countries, something which the defense chiefs recognized, hence their decision to set up the cooperation.

With the political support of their respective political leaders, Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Jokowi Widodo and Prime Minister Najib Razak, the three defense chiefs have expressed confidence that the apparent intent of Islamic State-affiliated groups in their respective countries to establish a caliphate in Southeast Asia, similar to what the IS intends to put up in the Middle East, would not become a possibility, Quilop said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928253

10 TRADOC captains promoted to major

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): 10 TRADOC captains promoted to major

Ten captains, assigned at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) in Capas, Tarlac, were promoted to major and were donned their new ranks by TRADOC head Brig. Gen. Herminigildo Francisco Aquino during Monday's flag-raising ceremonies.

Capt. Alberto Caber, TRADOC public affairs office chief, said the donning ceremonies took place at the TRADOC Grandstand in Camp O’Donnel, Capas, Tarlac.

Promoted to major were Marvin Caspillo; Ace Ronald Ampong; Jeremy Damonsong; Tim Clavel; Ricardo Sideno III; Amorito Saludez; Jimmy Guinanoy; Alberto Gayo; Ariel Marquez and Sharon Orbon.

The promoted officers are instructors of different schools under TRADOC, Caber added.

“Your promotion is another hallmark of professional soldiery that we exemplify. I exhort you to lead others to contribute to the fulfillment of TRADOC’s mission and thus fulfill the Army’s vision and mission," Aquino said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928333

Pres. Duterte signs exec. order hiking combat duty and incentive pay of military, police

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): Pres. Duterte signs exec. order hiking combat duty and incentive pay of military, police

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order increasing the combat duty and incentive pay of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), living up to his promise to increase their net take-home pay.

In Executive Order No. 03 released to the media Monday, President Duterte increased the combined combat duty and incentive pay from PHP1,500 to a “fixed” PHP3,000 for the officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP and uniformed personnel of the PNP.

At present, the AFP’s combat duty pay is PHP500 while the combat incentive pay is PHP150 “but not to exceed PHP1,500 per Operations Order (OPORD) or Fragmentary Order (FRAG-O) per month".

For qualified uniformed PNP personnel, the current maximum rate of combat duty pay is PHP340 per month.

”The rate of the combat duty pay of the officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP and uniformed personnel of the PNP is hereby fixed at PHP3,000 per month,” reads the EO signed by the President on Sept. 26.

The EO also provides that soldiers and policemen who figure directly in actual combat operations against various insurgent, terrorist and lawless elements shall be entitled to additional combat incentive pay of PHP300 per day.

The additional combat incentive pay is subject to the following conditions: The operations must be for a specific combat mission that is duly covered by an OPORD or FRAG-O for the AFP or a Mission Order for the PNP; the personnel involved in combat must be in the published task organization of the AFP OPORD/FRAG-O or the PNP Mission Order; and the total additional combat incentive pay for each individual shall not exceed PHP3,000 per month.

The initial funding necessary to implement the EO shall be drawn from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and the succeeding funding from the respective budgets of the AFP and PNP. (

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928331

Policeman injured in Basilan ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): Policeman injured in Basilan ambush

The police are conducting an investigation in a bid to unmask the gunmen behind the ambush of a police car where a policeman was injured in Lantawan, Basilan province.

Insp. Alfhad Osalli, Lantawan police director, identified the wounded policeman as PO1 Anwar Batah, who was hit in the right leg.

Osalli disclosed the ambush occurred around 1:15 p.m. Sunday in Sitio Crossing, Barangay Bulan-Bulan, Lantawan, Basilan province.

Osalli said the policemen were aboard a police car driven by PO1 Nasser Mohammad when a group of unidentified gunmen ambushed them upon reaching Sitio Crossing, Barangay Bulan-Bulan, Lantawan.

He said the policemen were returning to the headquarters after they conducted house visit on drug surrenderers when the gunmen ambushed them.

He said the gunmen fled upon sensing the arrival of reinforcement following a 10-minute shootout as the policemen fought back.

He said Mohammad was taken to hospital. The police car, which was hit during the shootout, bore five bullet holes.

He said all possible motives that could lead to the identities of the suspects are being considered in the conduct of the investigation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=928197

DND to acquire gas turbine generator set for FA-50PH jet

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3):  DND to acquire gas turbine generator set for FA-50PH jet

The Department of National Defense (DND) is allocating the sum of PHP75,049,000 for the acquisition of one set of gas turbine generator for its brand-new FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" jet fighters.

The fund will be sourced from the Philippine Air Force General Appropriations Act CY 2016.
Winning bidders are required to deliver the items with 540 days from receipt of Notice to Proceed.

Prospective bidders should have completed, within the last five years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project.

The DND Bids and Awards Committee will hold a pre-bid conference on Oct. 13, 10:00 a.m. at the DND BAC Conference Room, basement left wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.  While bid opening is on Oct. 25, 10:00 a.m. at the same venue.

The Philippines has a 12 FA-50PH order from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) worth PHP18.9 billion.

The first two units arrived last Nov. 28 with the remaining 10 to be delivered during 2016 and 2017.

The FA-50PHs has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one and a half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.

It will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines get enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.

Its design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the FA-50PH.

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.
Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.

The FA-50PH uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and Korean Aerospace Industries.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.
Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928171

DND in the market for FA-50PH engine

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): DND in the market for FA-50PH engine

The Department of National Defense (DND) is allocating the sum of PHP416,476,000 for the acquisition of brand-new engine unit for one of its FA-50 "Fighting Eagle" jet aircraft.

The fund for the engine will be sourced from the Philippine Air Force General Appropriations Act CY 2016.

Earlier reports claimed that the engine of one of the two operational FA-50PHs was totally destroyed after a bird strike in Clark Field, Pampanga.

The first two FA-50PHs, out of 12-plane order from Korea Aerospace Industries, was delivered last November.

Winning bidders are required to deliver the engine within 720 days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed.
They should have also completed a similar project within the last five years.

The DND Bids and Awards Committee will hold a pre-bid conference on Oct. 13, 10:00 a.m. at the DND BAC Conference Room, basement, left wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. While bid opening is on Oct. 25, 10:00 a.m. at the same venue.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928188

Ceasefire, amnesty up in Oslo 2nd round of talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 3): Ceasefire, amnesty up in Oslo 2nd round of talks

Negotiating panels of the Philippine government (GRP) and the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) are expected to exchange drafts on the proposed bilateral ceasefire and craft an amnesty proclamation as peace talks are set to resume in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, Oct. 6.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said that they hope to come up with a ceasefire agreement that will include joint monitoring and possibly with a third-party overseer.

"The previous ceasefires were unilateral. We need to craft mechanisms to monitor violations and resolve conflicts and issues arising from them," Dureza explained.

While the unilateral ceasefires declared by both the GRP and the NDF were indefinite in nature, the presidential peace adviser said the government is eyeing a more permanent cessation of hostilities.

"These can only be done if we are able to agree on the more substantial issues of social and economic reforms. These are the more contentious issues and we expect humps and bumps during the peace negotiations," Dureza added.

Both panels have already crafted drafts on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), which is described as the "meat" of the peace talks.

The end of hostilities and disposition of forces—the other substantive agenda of the peace talks—hinge on the success of CASER, along with political and constitutional reforms.

Dureza, however, is confident that the inspiration provided by President Rodrigo Duterte will enable both parties to pull the peace process through.

"He may not be capable of elegant language, as you have noticed, but he has pure spirit and heart in wanting to have peace in the land," Dureza said on Friday, Sept. 30, at the closing ceremony of the 2016 National Peace Consciousness Month.

GRP peace panel head and Labor Secretary Silvestre ‘Bebot’ Bello III meanwhile said that a draft amnesty proclamation is already ready for submission during the second round of peace talks.

"The list has been narrowed down to just over 400 from a high of more than 500. As per agreement during the formal resumption of the peace talks in August, the proclamation will only cover NDF members currently detained," Bello elaborated.

He said the president, with the concurrence of Congress, could declare a general amnesty once the peace talks are brought to a successful conclusion.

Bello, however, said both negotiating panels will also have to hurdle issues on political and constitutional reforms in addition to the social and economic reform agenda for the peace talks to succeed.

The Philippine government is confident that it will be able to strike a deal with the communist rebels by August next year.

Peace talks between Philippine government and the NDF have been going on and off over the last 30 years with over 40 rounds of formal and informal talks.

Every time, however, the negotiations are scuttled due to hard line demands from both sides.

In July, President Duterte ordered the release of 22 detained NDF consultants, 16 of them later joined the first round of Oslo talks in August, to fulfill a campaign promise and to jumpstart the peace negotiations.

He also declared a unilateral ceasefire during his State of the Nation Address only to lift it later after the communist rebels ambushed a combined Army-CAFGU patrol.

The president nevertheless re-imposed the unilateral ceasefire on the eve of the August Oslo talks, which the NDF reciprocated with an indefinite and unilateral ceasefire of their own.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=928170

MILF: FBCSO holds dialogue in Pikit town

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Oct 3): FBCSO holds dialogue in Pikit town



Resource speakers from the Federation of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organizations, Inc. (FBCSO) conducted another orientation dialogue on federalism and the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on September 25 at Ma’ahad Shemalliy Al-Islamie in Manaulanen, Pikit, North Cotabato.

Moder Solaiman Ali Badang welcomed the guests and participants. Zaed Amen gave the opening remarks which were followed by words of wisdom by Ust. Mubarak Dumato, a staff from FBCSO. He delivered some Islamic perception about the significance in wider understanding of parliament.

Moidjoddin Talusob of Kalilintad Development Foundation, Inc. (KDFI) advised the audience to be “initiated in advocating people’s aspiration in order to support the way that the GPH and MILF peace process could be realized.”

Professor Abdullah Salik, Jr. gave the input on the advantages of Federalism and the BBL to the Bangamoro people. He compared the Federal form of government to the current unitary system of the Philippine government. He made an example that FBCSO was organized from different organizations which have their own laws and by-laws that follows. All of those have freedom to work their own interest and might be federated to each other into a common interest and will support the government and the MILF to achieve a real peace.

Prof. Salik also said that the Bangsamoro parliament is mentioned in the BBL that was crafted by the BTC but failed to be enact by the 16th Congress of the Philippines.

Mr. Nas Pulindao, Vice President of FBCSO, narrated the signed agreements of the Moro Fronts and the government from the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, the 1986 Jeddah Accord, the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) up to the 2014 GPH-MILF Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) as basis for the enactment of enabling law. He also said that the challenge ahead for the government is how to realize the implementation of signed agreements between the government and the MILF.

The input sharing followed and some participants from 1,288 individuals have asked some questions and clarifications about the current situation of the Bangsamoro as well as the meetings made by both GPH and MILF Peace Implementing Panels. It was facilitated by Thax Mosaid of Ligawasan Network Development (LAND) in partnership with FBCSO.

Also in attendance were Mr. Alih Anso of Advocacy for Peace in ARMM, Ustadza Zahara Zumbaga of Special Agency for Women Concern (SAWC) and thousand of  women and youth.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/902-fbcso-holds-dialogue-in-pikit-town

NDF: Economic reforms key to prolonged ceasefire, Root causes first before silencing of the guns, says NDF

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front (Oct 2): Economic reforms key to prolonged ceasefire, Root causes first before silencing of the guns, says NDF

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) today said that a Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) is the key to a prolonged ceasefire with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

The NDFP issued the statement as the 60-day time period (August 27 to October 27) to reach an interim bilateral ceasefire nears. The crafting of an interim bilateral ceasefire was agreed upon by both parties during the first round of peace negotiations last August. The second round of negotiations will resume on October 6-10, 2016 in Oslo, Norway.

NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis, member of the GRP-NDF ceasefire committee, said that “a mutually-satisfactory agreement on the CASER could further pave the way for a bilateral ceasefire.”
“In fact, crafting an agreement on social and economic reforms is the key to a prolonged ceasefire,” Baylosis said.

For his part, NDFP consultant and RWC-SER member Randall Echanis said “the necessary first step to achieving peace and development in the country is addressing the most basic problems of rural Philippines.”

“This includes pervasive poverty, peasant landlessness, heavy indebtedness, severe hunger, malnutrition, and gross inequality in income and wealth distribution,” Echanis said.

“Addressing the root causes first before the silencing of the guns is important in the October Oslo talks,” Echanis said.

The NDFP exchanged with the GRP a proposed “framework and outline” for the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, the second substantive agenda of the peace negotiations according to the framework agreement set by The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992.

According to the NDFP proposal, the main CASER objectives are: a) carry out agrarian reform and national industrialization; b) advance the rights of exploited, oppressed, discriminated and disadvantaged sectors of society; c) uphold, protect, defend and promote economic sovereignty; and d) conserve the national patrimony and protect the environment. #

Reference:
NDFP International Information Office
0031302310431

http://www.ndfp.org/economic-reforms-key-prolonged-ceasefire-root-causes-first-silencing-guns-says-ndf/

NDF: NDFP reminds GRP on CARHRIHL, release of all political prisoners

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Oct 3): NDFP reminds GRP on CARHRIHL, release of all political prisoners  

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) today reminded the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) on the release of all political prisoners as “compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).”

The NDFP statement was issued three days before the resumption of the second round of peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway from October 6-10, 2016. Relatedly, the 60-day time period (August 27 to October 27) to reach an interim bilateral ceasefire nears. The crafting of an interim bilateral ceasefire was agreed upon by both parties earlier — during the first round of peace negotiations last August.

NDFP photo

“The amnesty and release of all political prisoners is an act of righting the violations of the CARHRIHL and the Hernandez political offense doctrine,” says NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison.

“The release of all political prisoners would also serve as a very big incentive for a stable kind of ceasefire,” Sison said noting that during the discussions between NDFP panel member Fidel Agcaoili and President Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, the latter commits that “the most expeditious way to release political prisoners is through an amnesty proclamation.”

In the August 26, 2016 Joint Statement, the Parties agreed that “the GRP Panel will immediately recommend to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte the issuance of an Amnesty Proclamation, subject to concurrence of Congress, for the release of prisoners who are listed by the NDFP and who have been arrested, imprisoned, charged, and/or convicted for alleged acts or omissions within the ambit of the Revised Penal Code or special laws in connection with alleged crimes in pursuit of one’s political beliefs.”

“The Parties will discuss the content and language of the Amnesty Proclamation,” the Joint Statement stated.

For his part, NDFP consultant Alan Jazmines reiterated that “a comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms (CASER) could further pave the way for a bilateral ceasefire.”

NDFP photo

“However, so far the political body language of the GRP Panel, the much delayed implementation of the agreement for the release of all political prisoners, and the lack of assurance that such could be able to be worked out soonest and without hitches indicate that the GRP’s interest is focused on a bilateral ceasefire,” says Jazmines, vice-chair of the NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reforms.

Last month, the NDFP exchanged with the GRP a proposed “framework and outline” for the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, the second substantive agenda of the peace negotiations according to the framework agreement set by The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992.

According to the NDFP proposal, the main CASER objectives are: a) carry out agrarian reform and national industrialization; b) advance the rights of exploited, oppressed, discriminated and disadvantaged sectors of society; c) uphold, protect, defend and promote economic sovereignty; and d) conserve the national patrimony and protect the environment. #

Reference:
NDFP International Office
0031302310431

http://www.ndfp.org/ndfp-reminds-grp-carhrihl-release-political-prisoners/

CPP: On the passing away of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 29): On the passing away of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) extends its sympathies to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who passed away this morning.

The Filipino people will remember Sen. Santiago for her crusade against corruption. She enjoyed broad support among the people and youth because of her rejection of the rotten politics that pervade the ruling system in the Philippines. She was among the prime legalist in the country.

Sen. Santiago will best be remembered for her opposition to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) as well as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Although she approached the matter from her advocacy of constitutionalism, one can gleam a deep sense of patriotism and a profound loathing for the presence of foreign troops on Philippine soil.

Her passing away comes at a most unfortunate point in history when the Filipino people’s struggle against the presence of US military troops is at a juncture as the Duterte regime has made a stand to promote an independent foreign policy and oppose US war exercises in the country, a radical shift from seven dacades of servility to US interests.

She would have been a formidable friend in this fight.

http://www.cpp.ph/passing-away-sen-miriam-defensor-santiago/

Philippines looks to greatly expand airpower capabilities

From Quwa Defense News and Analysis Group (Oct 2): Philippines looks to greatly expand airpower capabilities



The KAI/Lockheed Martin F/A-50's test flight. Photo credit: Korea Aerospace Industries.

As part of Flight Plan 2028, the Philippine Air Force is looking to expand its airpower capabilities through the acquisition of another 36 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 Golden Eagle lightweight fighters to add to its existing force of 12 aircraft (IHS Jane’s).

Speaking to IHS Jane’s, a Philippine Air Force official described the additional FA-50 purchase as a means to build the force’s capacity to mitigate threats along its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Philippines will also examine its multi-role fighter options; a requirement Saab is hopeful to secure with its Gripen.

At this stage, the notion of another 36 KAI FA-50s is interesting. As noted in an earlier article on Quwa, the FA-50 is essentially a lightweight fighter, one comparable to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas, Saab JAS-39C/D Gripen, and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and CATIC JF-17 Thunder. This may sound a bit disingenuous if taken in light of the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, the lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) derivative of the FA-50, but one need only examine the platform’s subsystems and physical parameters.

The Golden Eagle platform is powered by the General Electric F404 turbofan, which is also utilized by the Tejas and Gripen C/D. The FA-50’s payload comes in at 3,700 kg distributed across seven hardpoints, which is markedly close to the JF-17’s payload and weapons carriage capacity. Its onboard sensor suite is built on the Elta Systems EL/M-2032 mechanically-steered pulse-Doppler radar, which is also found on the HAL Tejas. A fully functional electronic warfare (EW) and electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite as well as tactical data-link (TDL) system basically renders the FA-50 as a fully capable fighter solution.

There are several key aspects to consider:

First, the Philippines’ plan to build-up its air defence capabilities through the FA-50. A fleet of close to 50 such lightweight fighters is a credible force in own right, though the actual impact, especially on the region’s defence and security dynamics, can best be measured by the air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions the Philippines pursues and secures for its FA-50s.

Fortunately for Manilla, the potential scope may be relatively wide considering that Israel, a major vendor of modern EW and ECM equipment, sensors, and a wide range of munitions, is seeking to expand its defence ties with the Philippines. The provision of the Elbit Display and Sight Helmet System (DASH), the Rafael Python 5 high off-boresight (HOBS) AAM, Derby BVRAAM, and SPICE precision-guided bomb (PGB) kit would certainly be welcome additions to the Philippine Air Force inventory.

Second, the defence industry environment in the Philippines is beginning to take a certain shape. Seeing Manilla fully commit to the FA-50 platform, it is clear that KAI will maintain a very strong footprint in the country. Inversely, the Philippines could leverage its comparatively lucrative fighter requirement to call for commercial offsets and some measure of technology transfer, which could support the Government Arsenal Defense Industrial Estate (GADIE) initiative, which aims to nurture a defence industry base in the Philippines. KAI’s willingness to engage in such activities (which is plausible considering its partnership to co-develop its next-generation fighter with Indonesia’s PTDI) will confer the company a strong client-user relationship in the country, which could have an impact on the Philippines’ future acquisitions.

Saab’s decision to open a marketing office in Manilla is a major move in terms of indicating its seriousness to sell the JAS-39 Gripen to the Philippines. However, from a cost standpoint, the Philippines should be able to build-out a credible and – at worst, marginally inferior – solution through FA-50s configured with Israeli air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions. While the Philippines Air Force stated that the multi-role fighter is a long-term factor, it should be noted that the capability delta likely expected from this platform is also substantively higher than that of the FA-50.

It would be surprising if the Philippine Air Force does not contemplate the procurement of a medium-weight platform for its multi-role fighter requirement. In this respect, Saab’s JAS-39E/F would be a very compelling solution. However, KAI’s current opportunity to build a very strong client-vendor relationship in the Philippines could generate competition for the Gripen Next Generation (NG), namely from KAI’s next-generation fighter platform, the KFX.

The Gripen NG and KAI KFX will confer the Philippine Air Force with a substantive capability boost above its FA-50 fleet. Moreover, the Gripen NG and KFX will be better positioned (thanks to greater range and heavier payload) to assume long-endurance and long-range air defence duties. A credible offensive element would also be in play, particularly through the KFX, which benefits from a low radar cross-section (RCS) airframe design and internal weapons bay. Alternatively, the Gripen NG is in the late stages of its development and will be available within Flight Plan 2028’s timeframe.

http://quwa.org/2016/10/02/philippines-looks-greatly-expand-airpower-capabilities/

New app taps youth as “buddies” in peace process

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 3): New app taps youth as “buddies” in peace process

  

A new mobile app that aims for the youth’s awareness of and involvement in the ongoing peace process has been launched.

The PeaceBOC (Peace Buddies Organizing for Change) app, which targets millennials, provides updates on the government’s peace initiatives and has a built-in crowdsourcing campaign called “The President’s Peace Challenge.”

In the campaign, peace-loving individuals can post their self-recorded videos where they share their insights about the peace negotiations by the government with the Communist Party of the Philippines, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front and other groups under the theme “Tayo ang Pagbabago, Tayo ang Kapayapaan.”

The app is now available for download on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

http://www.mb.com.ph/new-app-taps-youth-as-buddies-in-peace-process/