From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19, 2019): ASG bandit dies in clash with troops in Basilan
An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed while a high-powered firearm was recovered following a firefight in the hinterlands of Basilan province, military officials said Tuesday.
Col. Fernando Reyeg, the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, disclosed that the firefight occurred in Barangay Bohe Pahu, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan at about 8:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Reyeg said the firefight ensued as troops of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion were on security operation when they chanced upon 10 ASG bandits led by Furudji Indama.
He said the firefight resulted in the death of an ASG bandit and the recovery of an M-16 Armalite rifle from the clash site.
Reyeg said that another firefight ensued between troops of the Army’s 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion and seven ASG bandits, also followers of Indama, at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
He said the firefight lasted about five minutes after which the ASG bandits fled to the hinterlands. No casualty was reported.
The troops are tracking down the whereabouts of the ASG bandits who figured in the separate firefights.
“We commit to sustain our campaign against terrorism that derails peace and development in the area of operations. Hitherto, we work hard to crumble terrorists and to address security threats by intensifying our offensives and by involving stakeholders and the people of Mindanao,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.
“All these operational accomplishments, we achieved because we had the support of our peace partners and, ultimately, the people of Mindanao,” he said.
“We will continue to protect the people with integrity, upholding their rights and interests, as their true servants,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064971
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
ASG bandit killed, another captured in Sulu
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19, 2019): ASG bandit killed, another captured in Sulu
An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed while another one was captured following a firefight in an island town in the province of Sulu, military officials announced Tuesday.
Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said ASG bandit Hamza Hamad, 19, a resident of Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte, died during the firefight that took place on Simusa Island, Banguingui, Sulu around 11:44 a.m. Monday.
Besana said the clash broke out when troops from the 21st Marine Company of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1) chanced upon the ASG group while conducting military operations on Simusa Island, Banguingui.
Besana said the firefight lasted for about five minutes, after which the ASG bandits fled, leaving behind two of their companions--one dead and one injured.
Hama's remains were taken to the MBLT-1 command post for proper disposition, adding that the injured bandit, identified as Alvin Mohammad, was brought to a local hospital for treatment, the Army official said.
Based on debriefing interviews on Mohammad, Besana said the group, led by Najir Arik, was already running out of food supply and ammunition.
Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said the Joint Task Force Sulu has further intensified its operation to pursue the fleeing bandits "and constrict (their) movement".
Dela Vega vowed that the military will "continuously employ more pressure" against the ASG bandits in a bid to rescue the remaining hostages and “gain more enemy strongholds”.
The Sulu-based ASG bandits are still holding close to 10 hostages, including foreigners.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065015
An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed while another one was captured following a firefight in an island town in the province of Sulu, military officials announced Tuesday.
Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said ASG bandit Hamza Hamad, 19, a resident of Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte, died during the firefight that took place on Simusa Island, Banguingui, Sulu around 11:44 a.m. Monday.
Besana said the clash broke out when troops from the 21st Marine Company of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1) chanced upon the ASG group while conducting military operations on Simusa Island, Banguingui.
Besana said the firefight lasted for about five minutes, after which the ASG bandits fled, leaving behind two of their companions--one dead and one injured.
Hama's remains were taken to the MBLT-1 command post for proper disposition, adding that the injured bandit, identified as Alvin Mohammad, was brought to a local hospital for treatment, the Army official said.
Based on debriefing interviews on Mohammad, Besana said the group, led by Najir Arik, was already running out of food supply and ammunition.
Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said the Joint Task Force Sulu has further intensified its operation to pursue the fleeing bandits "and constrict (their) movement".
Dela Vega vowed that the military will "continuously employ more pressure" against the ASG bandits in a bid to rescue the remaining hostages and “gain more enemy strongholds”.
The Sulu-based ASG bandits are still holding close to 10 hostages, including foreigners.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065015
NPA continues to suffer setbacks: Eastmincom
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19, 2019): NPA continues to suffer setbacks: Eastmincom
The communist New People’s Army (NPA) continues to suffer setbacks in areas under the military's Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) during the first quarter of the year, an official said.
Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said a total of 59 armed encounters from January to date led to the retrieval of 68 firearms, 53 landmines, and death of 15 rebels.
Balagtey attributed most of the armed encounters to the continuous flow of information from the communities about the movements of the NPA.
He cited the March 17 encounter in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, where troops from the Army's 28th Infantry Battalion (IB) used vital information about the number of NPA rebels and their location.
While there was no reported casualty on both sides after the NPA scampered to different directions, Balagtey said the troops recovered two M16 rifles and one grenade launcher.
Balagtey said the latest firefight on March 15, resulted in the death of an NPA rebel and the seizure of an M14 rifle and ammunition in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., commander of Eastmincom, reminded all military units to ensure the protection of communities during armed encounters with the NPA.
Santos said this was significant after the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)--the NPA's mother organization--openly directed the rebels to attack government targets.
"Let us ensure the safety of the communities. We should not allow anyone to disturb their economic endeavor and be the collateral of their evil political ideology," Santos said.
The United States and European Union have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065022
The communist New People’s Army (NPA) continues to suffer setbacks in areas under the military's Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) during the first quarter of the year, an official said.
Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said a total of 59 armed encounters from January to date led to the retrieval of 68 firearms, 53 landmines, and death of 15 rebels.
Balagtey attributed most of the armed encounters to the continuous flow of information from the communities about the movements of the NPA.
He cited the March 17 encounter in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, where troops from the Army's 28th Infantry Battalion (IB) used vital information about the number of NPA rebels and their location.
While there was no reported casualty on both sides after the NPA scampered to different directions, Balagtey said the troops recovered two M16 rifles and one grenade launcher.
Balagtey said the latest firefight on March 15, resulted in the death of an NPA rebel and the seizure of an M14 rifle and ammunition in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Lt. General Felimon T. Santos Jr., commander of Eastmincom, reminded all military units to ensure the protection of communities during armed encounters with the NPA.
Santos said this was significant after the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)--the NPA's mother organization--openly directed the rebels to attack government targets.
"Let us ensure the safety of the communities. We should not allow anyone to disturb their economic endeavor and be the collateral of their evil political ideology," Santos said.
The United States and European Union have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065022
Proof vs. 'CPP front groups' might be submitted March 20
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19, 2019): Proof vs. 'CPP front groups' might be submitted March 20
Pieces of evidence and other documents showing how some militant groups are linked to communist rebels might be submitted on Wednesday to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), a ranking military official said Monday night.
"We hope to submit it Wednesday. (There are) a lot of witnesses. (There are) 20 for now but more than 100 want to give their statement. Many more affidavits are coming from the field," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Parlade expressed confidence that the pieces of evidence they will submit -- statements of witnesses, content analysis of IBON Foundation books, videos, pictures, and many circumstantial evidences – to the DFA, and eventually to the European Union (EU), would be decisive in proving the links of some militant groups to the communist movement.
"Certainly, this will convince EU and Belgium of these NGOs’ (non-government organizations’) links to CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) organizations. They are now on panic mode, that's why Karapatan is doing everything to destroy our credibility,” he said.
“Their international allies/lawyers are also here to boost their effort to paint a very bad image about the government, as they have been doing in the past. They want to attribute the death of lawyers to this campaign vs. drugs. It’s the same tactic that NPAs (New People's Army) did in the past. They wore soldier’s uniform and attack civilians near encounter areas so people will blame (the) AFP. Former NPA, Father Balweg, admitted it in a video interview," he added.
Earlier, Parlade scored Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay for alleging that the military does not have solid evidence to link them to the communist rebels.
"We have a lot and Karapatan is worried about all these truth coming out now," he said.
Parlade belittled Karapatan's claims that it is a protector of human rights (HR) in the country.
"Where were you when the NPAs have been killing the IPs (indigenous peoples) in Mindanao, until now? Where is Karapatan when non-participating civilians were killed by NPAs? Karapatan is a kind of organization that is very selective in dealing with human rights.
Selective in a sense that it only uses human rights to defend its NPA allies," he said.
Parlade also asked where Karapatan was when the Alliance of Concerned Teachers(ACT) and Bayan Muna reportedly trafficked children in Davao last year.
"Karapatan is afraid of becoming irrelevant because the AFP has not committed any HR violation for the past five years or more. Even in the past, many of the HR violations and civilian killings attributed to AFP were in fact committed by the NPAs, disguised as soldiers in uniform, as admitted openly by former rebel Father Balweg," he said.
Karapatan, he said, has to fabricate reports of human rights violations by the AFP so that the United Nations (UN) and EU may continue to collect donations from European countries on its behalf.
Parlade added that Palabay is worried about the government’s success in unmasking the truth about the communist front organizations, which were tagged by CPP founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison himself in all of its revolutionary websites, verbal pronouncements, and CPP publications.
"Please check the links and websites (ILPS website, Philippine Revolution Web Central, NDF International) and see for yourselves who identified Karapatan and IBON as CPP front organizations or part of the International League of Peoples Struggles' (ILPS) network of organizations, with 'Joma' as chairperson,” he said.
And with the Duterte administration's adherence to human rights, EU and Belgian funding for non-government organizations for the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), IBON, Karapatan and all other CPP-front organizations using human rights as cover, will dry up.
Parlade's views were also shared by AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato.
"Every bit of evidence is being consolidated and will be given to DFA for subsequent presentation to EU representatives. RMP, IBON and Karapatan connections to alias Ka Oris, NPA and their hand in the organization of ALCADEV (Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development), sworn statements and affidavits of rebel returnees and former students of Salugpungan, Lumads who were deceived are just samples of the evidence that will strengthen the government's position against these groups," he said in a message to PNA Monday night.
Also when proven through paper trails of foreign funding, Detoyato said certain party-list groups will face disqualification.
"We will withhold the details so as not to prematurely divulge ongoing and future efforts against these groups masquerading as 'legal fronts' of an illegal armed group whose ultimate objective is to bring down our established sovereign government and change our Filipino way of life through violence and armed revolution," the AFP public affairs office chief said.
"This is not an effort of the AFP alone but a collective effort of the whole government representing the whole nation who had been longing for peace and this is embodied in Executive Order (EO) 70 issued by the President as its basis," he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 70 on Dec. 4, 2018, which institutionalizes a whole-of-nation approach in attaining peace and creates a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terror organization by the United States and the EU.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064944
Pieces of evidence and other documents showing how some militant groups are linked to communist rebels might be submitted on Wednesday to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), a ranking military official said Monday night.
"We hope to submit it Wednesday. (There are) a lot of witnesses. (There are) 20 for now but more than 100 want to give their statement. Many more affidavits are coming from the field," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Parlade expressed confidence that the pieces of evidence they will submit -- statements of witnesses, content analysis of IBON Foundation books, videos, pictures, and many circumstantial evidences – to the DFA, and eventually to the European Union (EU), would be decisive in proving the links of some militant groups to the communist movement.
"Certainly, this will convince EU and Belgium of these NGOs’ (non-government organizations’) links to CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) organizations. They are now on panic mode, that's why Karapatan is doing everything to destroy our credibility,” he said.
“Their international allies/lawyers are also here to boost their effort to paint a very bad image about the government, as they have been doing in the past. They want to attribute the death of lawyers to this campaign vs. drugs. It’s the same tactic that NPAs (New People's Army) did in the past. They wore soldier’s uniform and attack civilians near encounter areas so people will blame (the) AFP. Former NPA, Father Balweg, admitted it in a video interview," he added.
Earlier, Parlade scored Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay for alleging that the military does not have solid evidence to link them to the communist rebels.
"We have a lot and Karapatan is worried about all these truth coming out now," he said.
Parlade belittled Karapatan's claims that it is a protector of human rights (HR) in the country.
"Where were you when the NPAs have been killing the IPs (indigenous peoples) in Mindanao, until now? Where is Karapatan when non-participating civilians were killed by NPAs? Karapatan is a kind of organization that is very selective in dealing with human rights.
Selective in a sense that it only uses human rights to defend its NPA allies," he said.
Parlade also asked where Karapatan was when the Alliance of Concerned Teachers(ACT) and Bayan Muna reportedly trafficked children in Davao last year.
"Karapatan is afraid of becoming irrelevant because the AFP has not committed any HR violation for the past five years or more. Even in the past, many of the HR violations and civilian killings attributed to AFP were in fact committed by the NPAs, disguised as soldiers in uniform, as admitted openly by former rebel Father Balweg," he said.
Karapatan, he said, has to fabricate reports of human rights violations by the AFP so that the United Nations (UN) and EU may continue to collect donations from European countries on its behalf.
Parlade added that Palabay is worried about the government’s success in unmasking the truth about the communist front organizations, which were tagged by CPP founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison himself in all of its revolutionary websites, verbal pronouncements, and CPP publications.
"Please check the links and websites (ILPS website, Philippine Revolution Web Central, NDF International) and see for yourselves who identified Karapatan and IBON as CPP front organizations or part of the International League of Peoples Struggles' (ILPS) network of organizations, with 'Joma' as chairperson,” he said.
And with the Duterte administration's adherence to human rights, EU and Belgian funding for non-government organizations for the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), IBON, Karapatan and all other CPP-front organizations using human rights as cover, will dry up.
Parlade's views were also shared by AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato.
"Every bit of evidence is being consolidated and will be given to DFA for subsequent presentation to EU representatives. RMP, IBON and Karapatan connections to alias Ka Oris, NPA and their hand in the organization of ALCADEV (Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development), sworn statements and affidavits of rebel returnees and former students of Salugpungan, Lumads who were deceived are just samples of the evidence that will strengthen the government's position against these groups," he said in a message to PNA Monday night.
Also when proven through paper trails of foreign funding, Detoyato said certain party-list groups will face disqualification.
"We will withhold the details so as not to prematurely divulge ongoing and future efforts against these groups masquerading as 'legal fronts' of an illegal armed group whose ultimate objective is to bring down our established sovereign government and change our Filipino way of life through violence and armed revolution," the AFP public affairs office chief said.
"This is not an effort of the AFP alone but a collective effort of the whole government representing the whole nation who had been longing for peace and this is embodied in Executive Order (EO) 70 issued by the President as its basis," he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 70 on Dec. 4, 2018, which institutionalizes a whole-of-nation approach in attaining peace and creates a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terror organization by the United States and the EU.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064944
Claims of 100 ISIS foreign terrorists in PH unlikely: Lorenzana
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19, 2019): Claims of 100 ISIS foreign terrorists in PH unlikely: Lorenzana
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that an estimated 100 Islamic State (ISIS)-inspired foreign terrorists are already in the country.
He made this comment on the sidelines of the UH-IH spare parts turnover ceremony at the Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
"I would like to debunk that theory of (Professor Rommel Banlaoi), I think he was saying that there were already 100 ISIS in Mindanao. We don’t see those people there. Not that much, siguro merong konti dun (maybe there are a few), siguro (maybe a) couple, siguro (maybe) up to 10, In fact, namatay na nga ung isa nung isang araw yata (I think one already died the other day)," Lorenzana said.
Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, claimed that these foreign terrorists are mostly Indonesians and have allegedly joined up with various terror groups like the Abu Sayyaf, Abu Dar Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and Ansar Khalifa Islamiyah.
"Now if we have Filipinos there fighting in Syria, then we might expect them to be coming back here. Yung mga Malaysians, babalik sa Malaysia yan. 'Yung mga Indonesian, sa (the Malaysians will go back to Malaysia and the Indonesians to) Indonesia. So (the) likelihood (that) they might transfer from one country to another is very big," Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana said the Philippines continues to beef up coordination with its Southeast Asian neighbors to curb movements of these terrorists.
"And we are also intensifying our ops in the South (so) we can eliminate them altogether. Pero hindi ako naniniwala na lumalaki sila rito sa atin (But I do not believe that they are multiplying here)," Lorenzana said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064988
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that an estimated 100 Islamic State (ISIS)-inspired foreign terrorists are already in the country.
He made this comment on the sidelines of the UH-IH spare parts turnover ceremony at the Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
"I would like to debunk that theory of (Professor Rommel Banlaoi), I think he was saying that there were already 100 ISIS in Mindanao. We don’t see those people there. Not that much, siguro merong konti dun (maybe there are a few), siguro (maybe a) couple, siguro (maybe) up to 10, In fact, namatay na nga ung isa nung isang araw yata (I think one already died the other day)," Lorenzana said.
Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, claimed that these foreign terrorists are mostly Indonesians and have allegedly joined up with various terror groups like the Abu Sayyaf, Abu Dar Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and Ansar Khalifa Islamiyah.
"Now if we have Filipinos there fighting in Syria, then we might expect them to be coming back here. Yung mga Malaysians, babalik sa Malaysia yan. 'Yung mga Indonesian, sa (the Malaysians will go back to Malaysia and the Indonesians to) Indonesia. So (the) likelihood (that) they might transfer from one country to another is very big," Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana said the Philippines continues to beef up coordination with its Southeast Asian neighbors to curb movements of these terrorists.
"And we are also intensifying our ops in the South (so) we can eliminate them altogether. Pero hindi ako naniniwala na lumalaki sila rito sa atin (But I do not believe that they are multiplying here)," Lorenzana said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064988
Spare parts donation from Japan to boost PAF Huey fleet
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19, 2019): Spare parts donation from Japan to boost PAF Huey fleet
With Japan's donation of UH-1H "Huey" helicopter spare parts to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), additional rotary winged assets will be activated and put into service soon.
This was emphasized by PAF commander, Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez, during the blessing and turnover of the UH-1 spare parts and maintenance equipment donated by the Japanese government.
"With the initial spare parts given us, we will be able to immediately recover two UH-1 and the remaining spare parts that will be delivered this year, a maximum of five UH-1s, will be placed on full mission capable status," he said in the ceremony held at the Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
Aside from reactivating these additional assets, Briguez said the Japanese donation of UH-1 spares will be a great help for the PAF's "Huey" fleet which are hard at work combating terrorism and conducting internal security operations aside from playing major roles in humanitarian assistance and disaster response and the coming national elections.
The PAF is known to operate around 20 plus units of Huey helicopters in its fleet.
"This (Japanese donation) is indeed another blessing for the continued leveling up of our capabilities. We owe an enormous and profound debt to God and the many outstanding individuals who significantly offered this blessing. To our Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, former and present CSAFP (Chief-of-Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines), and former Chiefs of the Air Force and most especially to the Japanese government for their continued trust and support to the PAF," Briguez said.
"Rest assured that with all these spares, the PAF will (be) all inspired and committed to perform its missions. We shall continue to demonstrate such first (rate) versatility in pushing the boundaries of available technology in our modest resources to be better equipped and more responsive. And we shall carry on with much commendable qualities in bringing the Air Force mission to higher purposes," he added.
As this developed, PAF spokesperson Maj. Aristides Galang said the turnover of the spare parts was done last March 11 when Air Force representatives visited Iruma Air Base in Saitama, Japan.
He added the formal signing of the donation of the spares was completed on March 12 at the Japan Ministry of Defense facility with Defense Undersecretary Raymundo Elefante representing the Philippine government with the PAF chief serving as witness.
Spares donated consist of airframe structures, dynamic power, control, rotor, hydraulic, electrical and instrument systems aside from other accessory items.
Galang said the initial spares were picked up by a C-130 cargo aircraft while the remaining items will be transported via Philippine Navy ship sometime this August.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana thanked the Japanese government for the spare parts donation worth 5.309 billion yen (about PHP2.5 billion) .
“With these latest spare parts and maintenance equipment for our UH-1H helicopters (from the Japanese government), the Philippine Air Force could now start the restoration of several ‘Huey’ assets parked in its hangars back to operational status again. With more UH-1H flying our skies, our capabilities would be enhanced,” the defense chief said.
He added that this makes the Philippines the first ASEAN member state to receive Japanese excess defense equipment.
“Moving forward, I sincerely hope that this increasing and growing Philippine and Japanese defense alliance and close partnership would expand further in the years to come,” Lorenzana added.
The turnover ceremony is the conclusion of the discussions and agreements between Manila and Tokyo in 2017, when Japan’s Defense Ministry first signified intent to donate excess UH-1H parts and maintenance equipment.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064984
With Japan's donation of UH-1H "Huey" helicopter spare parts to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), additional rotary winged assets will be activated and put into service soon.
This was emphasized by PAF commander, Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez, during the blessing and turnover of the UH-1 spare parts and maintenance equipment donated by the Japanese government.
"With the initial spare parts given us, we will be able to immediately recover two UH-1 and the remaining spare parts that will be delivered this year, a maximum of five UH-1s, will be placed on full mission capable status," he said in the ceremony held at the Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
Aside from reactivating these additional assets, Briguez said the Japanese donation of UH-1 spares will be a great help for the PAF's "Huey" fleet which are hard at work combating terrorism and conducting internal security operations aside from playing major roles in humanitarian assistance and disaster response and the coming national elections.
The PAF is known to operate around 20 plus units of Huey helicopters in its fleet.
"This (Japanese donation) is indeed another blessing for the continued leveling up of our capabilities. We owe an enormous and profound debt to God and the many outstanding individuals who significantly offered this blessing. To our Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, former and present CSAFP (Chief-of-Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines), and former Chiefs of the Air Force and most especially to the Japanese government for their continued trust and support to the PAF," Briguez said.
"Rest assured that with all these spares, the PAF will (be) all inspired and committed to perform its missions. We shall continue to demonstrate such first (rate) versatility in pushing the boundaries of available technology in our modest resources to be better equipped and more responsive. And we shall carry on with much commendable qualities in bringing the Air Force mission to higher purposes," he added.
As this developed, PAF spokesperson Maj. Aristides Galang said the turnover of the spare parts was done last March 11 when Air Force representatives visited Iruma Air Base in Saitama, Japan.
He added the formal signing of the donation of the spares was completed on March 12 at the Japan Ministry of Defense facility with Defense Undersecretary Raymundo Elefante representing the Philippine government with the PAF chief serving as witness.
Spares donated consist of airframe structures, dynamic power, control, rotor, hydraulic, electrical and instrument systems aside from other accessory items.
Galang said the initial spares were picked up by a C-130 cargo aircraft while the remaining items will be transported via Philippine Navy ship sometime this August.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana thanked the Japanese government for the spare parts donation worth 5.309 billion yen (about PHP2.5 billion) .
“With these latest spare parts and maintenance equipment for our UH-1H helicopters (from the Japanese government), the Philippine Air Force could now start the restoration of several ‘Huey’ assets parked in its hangars back to operational status again. With more UH-1H flying our skies, our capabilities would be enhanced,” the defense chief said.
He added that this makes the Philippines the first ASEAN member state to receive Japanese excess defense equipment.
“Moving forward, I sincerely hope that this increasing and growing Philippine and Japanese defense alliance and close partnership would expand further in the years to come,” Lorenzana added.
The turnover ceremony is the conclusion of the discussions and agreements between Manila and Tokyo in 2017, when Japan’s Defense Ministry first signified intent to donate excess UH-1H parts and maintenance equipment.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064984
Monday, March 18, 2019
AFP-CRS: RP-US Balikatan exercise kicks off
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 17, 2019): RP-US Balikatan exercise kicks off
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371308162887894/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371308162887894/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: ROTC to counter NPA recruitment in schools
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 17, 2019): ROTC to counter NPA recruitment in schools
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371308636221180/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371308636221180/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: Top terrorist killed in Lanao del Sur clash
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 17, 2019): Top terrorist killed in Lanao del Sur clash
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371309349554442/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371309349554442/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: Terror group member nabbed in South Cotabato
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 17, 2019): Terror group member nabbed in South Cotabato
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371309836221060/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2371309836221060/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: The AFP has gathered overwhelming evidence against Karapatan as Communist Party of the Philippines' front organization
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 18, 2019): The AFP has gathered overwhelming evidence against Karapatan as Communist Party of the Philippines' front organization
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372624056089638/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372624056089638/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: KARAPATAN: A selective human rights group defenders
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 18, 2019): KARAPATAN: A selective human rights group defenders
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372625822756128/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372625822756128/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: Karapatan challenged by AFP on one-on-one discussion
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 18, 2019): Karapatan challenged by AFP on one-on-one discussion
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372627149422662/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372627149422662/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: CPP Front Organizations worried about government's EU efforts
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 18, 2019): CPP Front Organizations worried about government's EU efforts
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372628156089228/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372628156089228/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
AFP-CRS: Karapatan's Palabay vilifies government while turning a blind eye to JOMA's HR violations
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Mar 18, 2019): Karapatan's Palabay vilifies government while turning a blind eye to JOMA's HR violations
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372628982755812/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2372628982755812/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/
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