USA & Philippines prepare for combat drills in the Spratly Islands Province of Palawan - claimed by China

 U.S. and Philippine marine forces are preparing for the annual Balikatan Exercises (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) to hold combat drills at an oil rig in the Spratly Islands, Province of  Palawan - West Philippines Sea (South China Sea) island which are claim by china to bolster the defense of such sensitive facilities in a bold move that may provoke protests from China, which claims waters in the surrounding areas or near the location of islands which under controlled by china.

Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commander of the Philippine military's Western Command, said that the exercises will be held in March or April 2012 off western Palawan province and should not alarm China because these will be done within Philippine territorial waters.

The drills involve U.S. Marines training their Philippine counterparts in defending and retaking oil and gas rigs captured by security threats like terrorists, Sabban said, adding military organizers from both sides did not contemplate on China as an imaginary target when they planned the drills.

"We need this special training so we can defend our oil and gas platforms," Sabban said. "We're doing it in an actual oil rig. We have many of these oil rigs we need to protect."



The drills are part of an annual joint military exercises by the longtime defense allies called Balikatan, which aims to improve the capability of the two countries' forces to respond militarily to threats that include terrorists, pirates and smugglers or deal with natural disasters.

The Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" exercises have mostly been done around the main northern Luzon Island in past years but will be held in Palawan for nearly a month starting in mid-March. More than 500 U.S. soldiers and marines, along with their warships and aircraft, will take part in the exercises with about 1,000 Filipino military personnel, Sabban said.

Aside from the combat drills, the military participants will undertake school repairs and medical missions.

"It's an annual exercise and should not cause any concern to China," Sabban said.

Still, the Balikatan exercises may likely invite Chinese protests.

Palawan province lies near the Spratlys, a potentially oil- and gas-rich chain of islands, shoals, coral outcrops and sand bars being disputed by China and the Philippines, along with Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. The Spratlys have long been feared as Asia's next potential flashpoint for conflict.

China, which claims virtually all of the South China Sea on historical grounds, has routinely protested military exercises near the disputed territories. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to an AP request for a comment.

Sabban said the upcoming oil rig drills will be held in Philippine waters northwest of Palawan near an area called Malampaya, site of the country's largest natural gas field.

It has been learned that China last year claimed new territory in or near the venue of the planned drills. The Recto Bank with 84.77 Nautical Miles from Mainland Palawan  and within the Philippine Waters was claimed by china.

China protested in July 2011 a publicly-announced plan by the Philippine government to explore for oil and gas in waters called "areas 3 and 4," the nearest point of which lies less than 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Palawan. The Philippines has dismissed China's claims, arguing the areas were well within the country's territorial waters and too far off mainland China, Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. has said.

The new areas being claimed by China are not part of the Spratlys because it is inside the Philippines 200 Nautical Miles Exclusive Economic Zone and at the Philippines Backyard.



The Philippines has appropriated more funds to protect Malampaya and outlying waters and secure foreign companies exploring for oil and gas, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said. The Philippines received its Dividend from Malampaya Amounting to $1.1 Billion US Dollars which could be used to boost the needed Warfare upgrade to protect the areas of oil and gas exploration which was lately disrupted by china.

"What creates uncertainty is this looming threat coming from China," Abad said. "It hasn't really helped the cause of everybody who are active players in the region for China to be unpredictable and for countries not to be able to read the direction of Chinese government policy."

Beijing has been asserting its territorial claims more aggressively as its economic and diplomatic muscle has grown. In March 2011, two Chinese vessels tried to drive away a Philippine oil exploration ship from Reed Bank 84.77 Nautical Miles, another area west of Palawan.

Two Philippine air force planes were deployed, but the Chinese vessels had disappeared by the time they reached the submerged bank.

The Philippines did not mention if they are going to spend the $1.1 Billion US Dollars for Armaments upgrade but it was lately pronounced by Philippines President Benigno Aquino that they will upgrade and purchase a squadron F-16 Multirole jetfighter from the United States.

WIKILeaks - US says Island Mindanao has $1-Trillion Dollar untapped mineral resources

[Mindanao is known as “The of Promise”. The promise of all the promises. Treasures, Land of God, the Lost Paradise, The lost garden of Eden and the land of the last judgment in earth. Bible scholars even pointed the Mindanao as the land of promise of all promises. One verse of the Bible quoted “The God’s kingdom will rise again in the east of the east seas where the Sun will rises first, in the white sand shores where the only land which people are willing to live and die for praising my name ”.]

Leaked diplomatic documents in Wikileaks showed the United States has a special interest in the natural resources in Mindanao and the ending of the armed conflict in the region, giving credence to a suspicion that the United States is prodding the Aquino administration’s peace efforts with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), including brokering the recent secret meeting between MILF spokesman Al Haj Murad and President Aquino.
Wikileaks obtained documents dated February 2006 or prior to the botched signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) on Aug. 5, 2008 showing extensive reference to the untapped rich mineral resources of Mindanao and tensions in the region which hinder the exploitation of these resources.
The leaked cable from the US embassy in Manila made particular reference to the so-called Liguasan Marsh in the Cotabato Basin spanning 288,000 hectares and is among areas controlled by the MILF.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already identified natural gas and oil deposits in three areas of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago: the Cotabato Basin, the Davao-Agusan Basin; and an area straddling Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. The Cotabato Basin, notably, includes the 288,000 hectare Liguasan Marsh, straddling the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudurat, according to the cable.
It stated that this “swamp/marsh — which is an officially declared bird sanctuary and game refuge — remains an important MILF stronghold, home to an estimated 280,000 Muslims, and an area where members of the terrorist Jemaah Islamiya (JI) have historically conducted training and sought refuge.”
It detailed the several roadblocks the government faces in exploiting Liguasan Marsh particularly what it called as “competing land ownership claims.”
The cable recounted the clan of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zacaria Candao staking a claim to 40 percent of the Liguasan Marsh, while other clans, including the Mangudadatus and Pendatuns, have claimed at least 50 per cent ownership.
It also stated that MILF vice-chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jafaar as referring to the Liguasan Marsh as a “legacy from our forefathers” adding that the Bangsamoro people would not part with their lands in the marsh.
“The MILF has created the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) to lead, manage, and determine developmental efforts, including in the Liguasan Marsh,” it added.
It said separately, the Maguindanao tribe, which is the predominant indigenous and largely Muslim ethnic group living in and around the Liguasan Marsh, considers the marsh as part of its own ancestral domain.
The cable added that the Maguindanao-based clan of the deceased Salipada Pendatun, the first Muslim to serve as a general in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has also claimed ownership over the entire Liguasan Marsh by virtue of an original land title.
“Though Pendatun’s daughter and legal heir, Bai Monera Pendatun, has said the Pendatun clan is open to sharing the marsh with others, she has opposed any amendment to the law that would allow titling of lands within the marsh,” it added.
It stated that the head of the Alamada clan, Rebecca Dilagalan Alamada Buan, has separately claimed 14,000 hectares in North Cotabato Province, near the borders of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. “Meanwhile, the Ampatuan clan, led by Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan and ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, politically dominate the region, also including most of the mayors of the 11 municipalities of Maguindanao, eight municipalities of North Cotabato, and one municipality of Sultan Kudurat that encompass the Liguasan Marsh,” it added.
The intercepted cable was transmitted long before the Maguindanao massacre in 2009 where 51 people were slain over an election-related dispute and in which the Ampatuan clan is suspected of having carried out.
The cable said the Philippines National Oil Company (PNOC) began exploring for oil and natural gas in the Liguasan Marsh area in 1994 under Geophysical Survey and Exploration Contract (GSEC) 73, which covered all of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudurat, Sarangani, Davao, and Bukidnon provinces of Mindanao.
It added that Malaysia’s national oil company, Petronas, partnered with the PNOC for the exploration of the marshland.
“By the late 1990’s, they had located natural gas and/or oil in five sites, including Datu Piang (Dulawan) and Sultan Sa Barongis in Maguindanao and Lambayong in Sultan Kudurat.
According to the PNOC, the estimated natural gas deposits in Sultan Sa Barongis alone would be enough to fuel a 60-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant for 20 years.
“The PNOC had hoped to use this gas to support the power requirements of Mindanao as well as for industrial applications. However, the PNOC and Petronas suspended operations in the Liguasan Marsh area due to threats from the MILF and extortion by local mayors and political warlords,” it added.
It cited incomplete data and unconfirmed reports that the Philippines may have untapped mineral wealth worth between $840 billion and $1 trillion.
It said the US Geological Survey hopes soon to conduct a more comprehensive survey of minerals, with funding from the Philippine government.
A special advisor on the GRP-MILF Peace Process in the Office of the President recently described Mindanao in particular as “a treasure trove” of mineral resources, including gold, copper, nickel, manganese, chromites, silver, lead, zinc, and iron ore, it added.
It cited data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau that up to 70 per cent of the Philippines’ mineral resources may be in Mindanao.
“Interest has grown significantly since a December 2004 decision by the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Mining Act. Companies that are up to 100 per cent foreign owned may now pursue investments in large-scale exploration and development of minerals, oil, and gas. As of early 2006, there were 23 mining projects nationwide,” it added.
Multinational firms are already eyeing areas in Mindanao for possible projects, it said.
The cable stressed that despite official optimism over a final GRP-MILF peace agreement by the end of 2006, disputes over land and natural resources, clan conflicts (locally called “rido”), and tensions between Muslims and Christians will remain important undercurrents and challenges to peace and development in Mindanao.
“Diffusing such tensions will be a major challenge for the GRP-MILF peace process during the years ahead, requiring careful governance and significant amounts of foreign assistance,” it said.
Malacañang had repeatedly denied the participation of the United States government in the meeting between Aquino and Murad in Tokyo but it had refused to reveal details about the two-hour meeting.
Murad, meanwhile, expressed hopes that the government peace panel could submit its counter-proposal in the ongoing peace negotiations during the resumption of formal talks in Malaysia on Monday.
“We hope that the Philippine Peace Panel shall finally submit its draft of the political compact and so that we can start the discussion on substantial agenda,” said Murad.
Murad was upbeat over the resumption of the peace talks with the government of the Philippines (GPH) following the Aug. 4 “secret” meeting between him and President Aquino in Tokyo, Japan.
Formal talks between the MILF and GPH peace panels will resume in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 22 to 24.
“That meeting in Japan was a significant breakthrough, a landmark progress and development for the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF,” Murad stressed.
The MILF chairman pointed out the government and MILF agreed to fast track the ongoing peace process and negotiation.
Murad said that it is important to note that MILF saw in President Aquino the commitment and determination to resolve the conflict within his administration.
“For us in the MILF leadership, we want to solve the problem during our time,” said Murad.
During the “secret” meeting, Murad personally brought up the MILF’s proposed Bangsamoro sub-state which would share power with the national government.
The MILF admitted that the proposed sub-state is just a “reframed” version of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2008.
The peace process between the government and MILF started in 1997 with the ultimate objective of solving the conflict in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro legitimate aspiration for identity, homeland, self-governance and right to self-determination.

The Philippines remain as the 5th Largest English Speaking country in the World.

The Philippines remain as the 5th Largest English Speaking country in the World.

Recent English proficiency test excluded the Philippines in ranking among countries with high English proficiency as the record shows that the country remain at large as the 5th largest English speaking country in the world.

International research and surveys such as IBM shows that the Philippines’ Universities are producing not less than 500,000 English speaking graduates each year which is vital for the continuously growing BPO industry in the country.

In 2010, the Philippines gain a new title as the number 1 in BPO country in the world surpassing India.

The Philippines’ English is mixed of American and British English which the language itself were able to grow within the archipelagic country.

According to the BPO clients in the US, the country’s English is so competitive as evidenced by the fast growing outsourcing industry. Besides, the Philippines English accents is the most preferred by the western countries because it is neutral and is more comprehendable and Filipino tongue is so flexible and so easy to adapt the western accent and make them attuned.

Tata the biggest outsourcing firm in India have opened their BPO office in the Fort Bonifacio, Philippines after they got a continuous demand from their US clients looking for Philippines English speaker to deal with their accounts.

Just recently, a small US-based private business English training and testing institution "Education First" came out with an English proficiency ranking report of 44 countries.

Of the Asian countries that were included in the report Malaysia had the highest English proficiency index (EPI) of 55.54, a "high proficiency" level, and is ranked 9th.

The exclusion of the Philippines in the ranking was mentioned as the country still able to stand with their title as the 5th largest English speaking country in the world.

For so many Filipinos traveling around the globe and 10% of their population or 9 to 10 Million Filipinos working outside the Philippines; there is no incident happened and none of their constituents fallen into a deep well because of jumping into a well with a sign “Be careful pitfalls ahead”.

For the 44 countries tested in English proficiency, Kazakhstan ranked 44th with a "very low" English proficiency EPI of 31.75.

A group of professionals in the Philippines drafting a petition for the exclusion of the professionals of the Philippines from taking any English examination which is usually conducted by the IELTS and TOEFL as a preliminary requirement for Filipinos to migrate in the other English countries like Australia, UK and USA and planned to include the Philippines to the list of the native English speaking countries.

The said petition would pass through the hole of a spike as the Philippines still suffered the discrimination from the other native English countries and OECD member countries for a poor economy in spite of very rich resources including metallic minerals, oil, gas and natures.

The Philippines’ native such as Igorot, Subano, and other lumads or aborigins of the country have the same case with the Australian’ aborigins.

According to a research, it is normal that there are some less educated locals who could not understand or speak English and those tribes or group of people are not a migrant type. In Australia, a known English native country in Oceania has the same issue with the Philippines. The Australian aboriginals could not even speak English at all.

The recent English testing methodology conducted by the “Education First” was also disclosed their full report, that there were 2,368,730 test takers that were included in the ranking except the Filipinos who were voluntarily taking the English test.

The Philippines must have to celebrate as the country still enjoys a good English speaking population, as represented by half a million English-proficient employees of the US$9 billion Dollar revenue contributor of the country for the business process outsourcing industry.

The Philippines is one of the States of the United States of America from 1898 to 1940 which official language and language of instruction used is English.

John Langford, executive vice president for the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP), said the Philippines still has a competitive edge in English proficiency primarily due to its affinity with Western cultures.

In fact, Filipinos consume a lot of foreign films and TV in English, which are not dubbed or given English subtitles. School textbooks and medium of instruction are also mostly in English except for Filipino-related subjects.

Of course, this does not necessarily mean that English proficiency is constantly good among Filipinos. As Langford said, the proficiency itself is declining relative to the growth of the BPO industry demands.

"We need to continue to partner with the government and academe to continue raising the level of English proficiency of the Filipinos in order to sustain the future growth of the industry in the Philippines," Langford said.

On the other hand, other expert says that the Filipino must not be overacting and a muted English perfectionist which triggers other Filipinos to shut-up of fear that other will correct them if they would be saying a sentence in a wrong grammar. Such Filipino attitude will make the English proficiency of the Filipinos dropping down and it would affect the country’s English proficiency.

"I advice that the Filipino must keep on talking and express their feelings in English and ignore the people who love correcting mistakes, in such manner they would be train and continue improving their English skills, as they would be more familiarized with the English terminology; later they could polished it and could make it perfect" an expert said.

Gloria Arroyo a ‘huge failure’ of the Philippines’ Economy

Malacañang Palace turned the tables on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and branded her administration as "a huge failure" a day after the Arroyo camp came up with a critique citing the Aquino administration's supposed shortcomings in running the economy after taking over in 2010.

"Repeatedly, the performance of her government, the economic as well as the political, has been exposed as a huge failure over the past nine and a half years," Budget Secretary Florencio Abad told reporters.

Abad, who served as Aquino's campaign manager in the 2010 election, said that Arroyo had refused to acknowledge that she turned over a messy state of affairs to her successor.

"She was given the rare opportunity through People Power to lead differently but she turned her back on her big opportunity. We ended up suffering from those years of very bad governance," he added.

No research needed

Abad said one wouldn't have to do a thorough research to dispute the points raised in Arroyo's paper such as the substantial growth rate inherited by the Aquino government.

"The question is, what legacy? The numbers may have grown but if you look at the poverty incidence, it has worsened. Look at the employment numbers, it has worsened during their time," Abad pointed out.

In contrast, Abad cited the renewed confidence the credit ratings agencies have given the Philippines under President Aquino.

"In the 18 months of this presidency, we had five upgrades in our rating, the last one was the Standard and Poor's. We hope within the next two to three months there can be a ratings upgrade," Abad said.

"What is different from this administration's economic policy is that it is not detached from the measures on the improved governance especially transparency and accountability in the use of public funds which was absent totally in the last administration," he added.

The economy, student

In her paper titled, "It's the Economy, Student," Arroyo took a jibe at President Aquino's "obsessive pursuit" to demonize her and erase her legacy.

The paper was read by a University of the Philippines economics professor at a press conference at the Manila Hotel on Thursday.

According to her spokesperson, Elena Bautista-Horn, Arroyo wrote the paper "in her spare time" during her recuperation, hospitalization and hospital detention between October and December 2011.

According to Arroyo, the gains achieved by previous administrations "are being squandered in an obsessive pursuit of political warfare meant to blacken the past and conceal the dark corners of the present dispensation. Rather than building on our nation's achievements, this regime has extolled itself as the sole harbinger of all that is good."

Arroyo's claim that the "politics of division" was to blame for the current economic slump did not sit well with Abad.

"Politics of division? The Filipino people, as surveys and surveys show, have never rallied solidly behind a President as they have shown in support of P-Noy's (Aquino's nickname) anticorruption, good governance and poverty-reduction programs," Abad said.

Vote of confidence

Abad pointed out that even the international community had given the Aquino administration its "vote of confidence."

The budget chief then reminded Arroyo that she, too, could learn a thing or two from Aquino, an economics graduate and a student of Arroyo at Ateneo de Manila University.

"One important lesson that Arroyo should learn from P-Noy is that you cannot separate good governance from economic expansion. One needs the other," said Abad.

In her paper, Arroyo defended the gains of her nine-year presidency but took potshots at the performance of the Aquino administration.

Arroyo, now the representative of the second district of Pampanga who is under hospital arrest for electoral sabotage, accused Aquino of the very ills that bedeviled her presidency and for which she was unable to resolve.

She noted that Aquino was embroiled in "too much" politics. She decried the alleged "use of black propaganda and character assassination" to try to erase her legacy and undo the gains of her nine-year term.

Source:  Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippines ranked 8th friendliest paradise in the world -survey

Philippines – It may not always be that "fun" in the Philippines contrary to a widely circulated Department of Tourism (DOT) slogan but we are more than consistent in being warm and friendly as people.

A recent international survey conducted between May and July 2011 involving 3,385 expatriates in 100 countries reinforced this notion, with the Philippines being ranked eighth friendliest.

The top three spots were occupied by New Zealand, Australia, and South America.

According to Lisa Wood, head of marketing for HSBC, which spearheaded the survey, the study was meant to capture important insights into an expat's life.

"As the largest global survey of expats, Expat Explorer allows us to capture invaluable insights into expat life and how it differs from country to country, continent to continent and from an expats' home country of origin," says Wood, via a report on www.forbes.com that published the result of the rankings. "We want to be a business that truly understands its customers so that we can ensure our products and services meet their needs effectively."

To determine the friendliest country, the survey isolated results in four categories: ability to befriend locals, success in learning the local language, capacity for integrating themselves into the community, and ease in which they fit into the new culture.

New York-based expat coach Heather Markel says all of these play into the ability of expats to create a new support structure, which is among the biggest challenges when relocating.

"Because a majority of expats are so focused on closing the life they are leaving, they end up depressed at some point after relocating, because by not focusing on creating their new life before arriving, they end up with 'nothing'—no friends locally, nothing familiar, a feeling of loss," says Markel, via the same report. "Other challenges include learning a new language, experiencing new foods, more or less convenience, how genders might be treated. The sense of loss for what they liked in the culture they left can be a big challenge, as can a changed lifestyle."

Seventy-five percent of respondents living in New Zealand reported that they were integrating well in the local community; in Australia it was 77% and in South Africa 79%.

"New Zealanders as a whole seem like happy people, and that translates into friendly, helpful and kind people," notes American expat Kim Brinster who was also interviewed for the same piece.

Other positive aspects of New Zealand living, she says, include a "pitch-in-and-help mentality," as well as navigable government and health-care systems.

Dov Golan, an Israeli national who choose to live in the Philippines and for 14 years already  -- can't stop gushing about the people of his adopted country.

"They're very friendly and they're very polite they're very easy to talk to and they're warm people," said he in an interview with GMA News.

Golan, who is married to a Filipina, is not planning to leave anytime soon.

The same GMA report said that Malacanang welcomed the result of the HSBC survey hoping that it would help bolster the DOT's campaign to boost tourism in the country.

But which countries landed at the lowermost rung of the survey?

The least friendly country for expats was the United Arab Emirates. And among the countries that expats consider "most challenging" were Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Russia and India.

from: betterphils.blogspot.com

Sir/Mam VS Inday

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) plans to allot funds for the purchase of a new presidential plane to replace the 30-year-old Fokker 28 used by President Aquino.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the plane is too old and the President “cannot be renting planes all the time.”

He said officials are already cautious about taking the old plane.

Popularly known as F-28 “Fellowship,” the plane was manufactured by the now defunct Fokker Aviation BV based in the Netherlands.

The model came out of the Fokker factory in 1979 and was bought by the then Central Bank of the Philippines to be used by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.

It was delivered to the Philippines in September 1980. Its ownership was transferred from the Central Bank to the Office of the President on Dec. 26, 1995. It was eventually donated to the
Philippine Air Force in May 2006.

As of March 11, 2011, its total flying time was 5,525 hours.

The plane’s last mandatory inspection was a “D” check, also known as a heavy maintenance visit, conducted in Indonesia in 2009. During the detailed inspection of the structure, additional
work was done on the plane – the cabin interior was refurbished, seats were reupholstered, in-flight entertainment was installed and the exterior repainted.

Philippines to be the 16th Largest Ecoonmy

World’s 16th largest economy by 2050?

“STRONG FUNDAMENTALS and powerful demographics” can propel the Philippines into becoming one of the top 30 economies in the world by 2050, global banking giant HSBC said.

The country is projected to be the 16th largest economy by 2050, a “striking rise” of 27 places from its current ranking, the bank said in “The World in 2050” report released yesterday.

The Philippines was also categorized as one of 26 “fast-growth” countries expected to register an average expansion of more than 5% per year.

“They share a very low level of development but have made great progress in improving fundamentals. As they open themselves to the technology available elsewhere, they should enjoy many years of ‘copy and paste’ growth ahead,” the report read.

HSBC’s “The World in 2050” aims to project the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of countries by assessing factors such as income per capita, rule of law, democracy, education and demographic change.

This is the second edition of the global survey, which has been expanded to 100 economies from last year’s pool of only 40. “A larger universe increases competition for the Top 30 and allows us to consider the ‘new emergers’ in the coming decades,” HSBC explained.

Emerging economies accounted for 19 of the top 30.

China was predicted to be the world’s largest economy by 2050, followed by the United States, India, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, France and Canada.

Taking the 11th to 20th places, respectively, were Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Spain, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Argentina and Egypt.

Rounding up the top 30 were Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Netherlands, Poland, Peru, Iran, Colombia, Switzerland and lastly, Pakistan.

“This research strengthens the conclusions of the original report, which found that [the top economies] will be countries that are currently ‘emerging’. Our update shows that it is not just the likes of China and India that will be powering global growth over the next four decades. Countries as varied as Nigeria, Peru and the Philippines will also be playing a significant part,” HSBC said.

The survey, in particular, noted the Philippines’ progress in improving its economic infrastructure. Moreover, the fast-growing population is expected to increase the country’s labor force, which likewise benefits from the quantity and quality of education.

“There are some truly remarkable hot spots in Asia... The star performer, however, is the Philippines where the combination of strong fundamentals and powerful demographics gives rise to an average growth rate of 7% for the coming 40 years,” the report read.

HSBC projected that the country would have an average GDP growth of 8.4% from 2010 to 2020, 7.3% from 2020 to 2030, 6.6% from 2030 to 2040 and 5.8% from 2040 to 2050. -- D. C. J. Jiao

bworldonline.comhttp://www.bworldonline.com

US Senator Mccain and colleagues to visti Philippines within this week

US Senator Mccain to Visit Philppines this week

14January, 2012


Manila, Philippines – Arizona senator and former Republican presidential candidate John McCain will lead a group of United States lawmakers visiting the Philippines, between January 17 to 20, prior to the scheduled 2nd Philippine-US Strategic Dialogue in Manila early this year.
According to diplomatic sources, among those who will accompany McCain is his colleague in the Senate Armed Services Committee, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat who was the party’s nominee for vice president in the 2000 US presidental elections. Currently an independent, Lieberman, who is also the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, remains closely affiliated with the party.
Although the itinerary of their visit is reportedly still being finalized, sources said the US legislators will meet with senior government officials to discuss topics that will include the South China Sea dispute, terrorism, security, and trafficking of persons. (Roy C. Mabasa)

Tempo.com.ph

Tangalan na nang posisyon dahil sa Curroption

162 govs, mayors face removal from office for lack of public accounting

By DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—One hundred and sixty-two provincial governors and mayors who failed to comply with the government’s full disclosure policy requiring them to make public the budget and finances of their province, city or town, face the prospect of removal from office, Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo has warned.
In a news briefing on Thursday, Robredo said he has instructed field offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government  to send “show cause” orders to executives of the local government units concerned  to explain or else face sanctions for not complying with provisions of the 2011 General Appropriations Act.
At least 90 percent or 1,551 of the 1,713 provinces, cities and towns nationwide have complied with the full disclosure policy that requires them to post their budgets and other financial transactions on Web sites, general-circulation newspapers and other conspicuous places.
Robredo said his department plans to make public the list of 162 LGUs that have not satisfied the requirement as part of the campaign to make local executives more transparent about their transactions.
Non-compliance with the full disclosure policy may subject concerned local officials to suspension or removal from office on  grounds of gross negligence or dereliction of duty, under Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
“We want to strictly adhere with the full-disclosure policy because we want to uphold transparency and accountability in government and it is in keeping with President Aquino’s principles on good governance. More importantly, we hope that through this reform, we will be able to improve our services to the people,” Robredo said.
According to the DILG’s accomplishment report for 2011, the high 90 percent compliance may be attributed to the “growing awakening among LGUs that good governance is synonymous to transparency.”
Of the 1,551 compliant LGUs, the report noted that 72 are provinces, 132 are cities and 1,347 are towns.
As for barangays, more than half, or 23,584 of 42,026, have already posted their financial reports in conspicuous places, Robredo said.
“Local governments are now embracing the concept of transparency and accountability and have joined the journey towards good local governance,” he said.
The secretary also said that in 2011, the DILG continued to place a high premium on local government performance as a total of 1,325 LGUs were conferred the “Seal of Good Housekeeping” for showing strong performance in key local governance areas, complying with the full-disclosure policy and having no adverse findings from the Commission on Audit.
Of this number, he said, 351 LGUs received the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) amounting to P7 million for each high-performing province, P3 million for each city and P1 million for each municipality. The fund was used to support anti-poverty disaster mitigation initiatives, Robredo added.
“The days of mediocrity are over and from here on, strong performance shall be the cornerstone of any support that the government and development partners will provide LGUs,” he said.

Patrol gunboat is latest addition to Navy’s inventory

Patrol gunboat is latest addition to Navy’s inventory

By: CAPT GIOVANNI CARLO J BACORDO PN(GSC)


A newly upgraded patrol gunboat is the latest addition to the Navy’s floating assets. The Philippine Navy welcomed this morning, 04 January 2011, PKM 223, a Chamsuri class patrol vessel used by the South Korean Navy in the 1970s.

The upgrade of the vessel which is covered by the AFP Modernization Program includes the installation of communications equipment, replacement of old engines, and enhancement of electrical and auxiliary machinery. The vessel renamed as BRP Emilio S Liwanag (PG 118) has a maximum speed of 31 knots and is capable of the following: surface and air action against enemy forces; interdiction patrol; sealift of platoon size troops with full combat gears in the conduct of ISO; search and rescue within territorial waters; transport of personnel, cargo and civic action operations.

Leading the rites at the Navy Headquarters this morning, 04 January 2010 was Secretary Voltaire T Gazmin witnessed by officers and personnel of the Philippine Navy, together with Mrs Emilia Liwanag Hilado, daughter of the late Capt Emilio Liwanag.

Capt Liwanag born in 1911 in Dagupan City, Pangasinan graduated from the PMA in 1933. He served in the harbor defense force during the Battle of Bataan in World War II. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for services in the Philippine liaison office with the UN Command during the Korean War on 07 October 1952.

Also taking place in the morning was the blessing of the Hall of Flags and Commander’s Lounge. The newly-constructed Hall of Flags showcases the various standards of the Navy’s Fleet-Marine units and will also serve as receiving area for command visitors. The Commander’s Lounge meanwhile will be used as function area for senior officers during conferences and gatherings.

www.navy.mil.ph

First peace talk of the Year between Moro and the Government

 

Government, Moro peace panels resume talks on ‘substantive’ issues

PEACE TALKS will resume between the panels of the government and Moro rebels today in Kuala Lumpur with on “substantive” issues expected to be discussed, a Palace official said yesterday.

“As both parties are expected to delve into the substantive aspects of the negotiations, I continue to positively hope that the panels will be able to complete their task and come up with a framework for a political settlement in the soonest possible time,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Q. Deles said in a text message.

She said the talks will take three days, noting that the government is devoted to bringing about “just and lasting peace” long-desired by the Bangsamoro people, and “put a permanent end to the violent conflict that has plagued Mindanao for decades.”

The two panels last met on Dec. 7.

At the time, government panel head Mario Victor F. Leonen noted that the administration “is looking forward to forge a negotiated political settlement in the first quarter” of this year.

For his part, Mohagher Iqba of the MILF said that while the talks had “moved forward,” the prolonged discussions have been just the “tip of the iceberg.”

The two sides have been at odds over the Moro proposal to form a sub-state in the south in exchange for for dropping its separatist cause.

The government, on the other hand, has proposed an expanded autonomous Muslim region setup. -- JPDP

Filipino Soldiers stood still against Chinese battalion.. History may repeat it again

Lieutenant Fidel V. Ramos (right) and his colleagues in the Philippine 20th Battalion Combat Team, Korean War

The

Philippines sent a total of 7,420 soldiers to South Korea, 112 of whom were killed in action. Five battalion combat teams?each combat team had a one-year tour of duty?were deployed from 1950 to 1955.
The first team left Manila on 16 September 1950 on board the ship Antolak after a massive send-off rally at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Carrying 1,367 men, the ship landed on Busan on 19 September.
It was this team that figured prominently in the Battle of Yuldong, where besieged UN forces were forced to retreat following the Chinese Spring Offensive of 1951.

One of the first United Nations members to answer the call to deploy troops and would go on to make meaningful battlefield contributions to the war effort in Korea was the Philippines. The Philippine government deployed one regimental combat team to fight in the Korean War that became known as the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK). The PEFTOK soldiers arrived in Korea on September 19, 1950 at the port city of Pusan shortly after MacArthur’s successful Incheon Landing Operation that turned the tide of the Korean War.

During the nearly five years PEFTOK was deployed to Korea they participated in a number of heavy combat operations and established themselves a solid reputation as tough, tenacious fighters in the hills of Korea. Much of the tactical skills the Filipino soldiers used in Korea to great effect was honed during their own struggle against tyranny when the Japanese invaded the Philippines and Filipino guerrillas took to the hills to launch attacks against the Japanese. The Filipino military’s guerrilla warfare skills only improved when the military was called on to fight its own communist insurrection occurring in the highlands of the Philippines against the Hukbalahap which were guerrilla fighters aligned with the Philippine Communist Party


Continued Chinese pressure on the UN forces along the Imjin prevented a planned attack by the 1st and 3rd Battalions, 65th Infantry to relieve the Glosters. When two further attempts by a tank platoon to link up with the Glosters failed, Brigadier Brodie left the decision whether to attempt a break out or to surrender to Lieutenant-Colonel Carne. No further attempts to relieve the Glosters were undertaken because at 8 a.m. on 25 April, I Corps issued the order to execute Plan Golden A which called for a withdrawal of all forces to a new defensive position further south.

The Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) stood still on their ground to defend the ground.

The Philippine 10th Battalion Combat Team counter-attacking at Yultong on 23 April 1951

Had the Chinese achieved a breakthrough in the initial stages of their assault, they would have been able to outflank the 1st ROK Division to the west and the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division to the east of 29th Brigade. Such a development would have threatened the stability of the UN line and increased the likelihood of success for a Chinese advance on Seoul. Although the Chinese benefited from 29th Brigade's scattered deployment and a lack of defensive preparations, they were nevertheless unable to overcome the positions before UN forces could check further advances. In three days of fighting, the determined resistance of 29th Brigade severely disrupted the Chinese offensive, causing it to lose momentum and allowed UN forces in the area to withdraw to the No-Name Line, a defensible position north of Seoul, where the Chinese were halted.

Lieutenant Fidel V. Ramos (right) and his colleagues in the Philippine 20th Battalion Combat Team, Korean War

 

Hate you Chinese Intruders

DFA protests ship sightings

By ROY C. MABASA and GENALYN D. KABILING

January 8, 2012, 10:04pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has protested the recent sightingseople’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on December 11 and 12, respectively.
The Escoda Shoal is located 123.6 nautical miles from Palawan and, according to the DFA, is within “Philippine sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction.”
Citing reports from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the DFA has conveyed to the Chinese Embassy’s Charge d’affaires its serious concerns over recent actions of the People’s Republic of China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
In a statement issued Sunday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said that “these instrusions of the Chinese are clear violations of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea as well as the provision of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte is hopeful that the conflict will be resolved soonest. She said that the government resorted to diplomatic means to resolve the maritime problem.
“I think it (diplomatic protest) will not affect Philippine-China ties especially it will be brought to the proper forum,” Valte said over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
“Of course, we have remedies and other measures to address this kind of incident through the diplomatic channels,” she added.
The South China Sea consists of more than 100 small groups of islands, isles, shoals, banks, atolls, cays, coral reefs and sandbars. It covers an area of approximately 180,000 square kilometers including shallow territorial waters,
There are claims that the oil and gas potential of South China Sea is huge. Aside from these natural resources, the disputed area is also known to be rich fishing grounds.
Their strategic importance cannot also be denied as the islands straddle commercially important sea lanes and serve as legal base points from which to project claims of exclusive jurisdiction over waters and resources in the South China Sea.
China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim the entire area, while Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines claim portions of the disputed area in the South China Sea. Except for Brunei, all the claimants are currently occupying islands or reefs.

mb.com.ph

The Bourne Legacy’ shoot is moving to Manila, Philippines this month and 1000 extras are needed

by Christine on January 4, 2012

in Daily Filming Locations, News

The Bourne Legacy, which has been filming in New York and Canada, is gearing up to shoot in Manila later this month which means they are looking for extras and stand-ins now.
The casting agency working on the movie sent us the following casting call, they need 1000 people to appear in a crowd scene:

We are casting 1000 CROWD (Class B and below — C, D, etc) for this film. pls send your profiles (name, age, height, vital stats, contact #s) and picture to : janellyn.briones@gmail.com ASAP. Deadline of submission is JANUARY 6 (Friday). MINIMUM AGE is 13years old and NO MAXIMUM AGE LIMIT. as long as he/she can walk

According to Casting Calls Manila, they are also looking for stand-ins for Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz:

Audition for the “BOURNE LEGACY” Philippine shoot. We are in need of Stand-in Talents for Lead Hollywood actor Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz. Please send your picture with name, age, height and contact number to jilbert_bmx@yahoo.com or text 09153080403. Look for Oghie- talent coordinator.

Filming in Manila is expected to start around January 14, 2012. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino The Bourne Legacy will spend a month filming at various locations around Manila including Intramuros, Navotas Fishport, Marikina Market, San Andres Market, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Ayala Avenue, Nagtahan, Pasay Taft, and Jones Bridge.
In The Bourne Legacy, Jeremy Renner takes over the Bourne franchise as a a new CIA operative. The movie hits theaters on August 3, 2012.
UPDATE: Below is a list of street closures in Manila where filming will take place in January and February:

Portions of San Andres St. from January 11 to 15; J. Bocobo corner Remedios streets, January 18 and 19; Leveriza Street, from Balingkit to San Andres, January 15; San Andres corner Quirino and Taft Avenue, January 14); Riverside Road, Real and Sta. Lucia Streets in Intramuros, January 25 and February 17 and 18; Jones Bridge, February 5; and Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, February 8 to 15.

New Presidential Plane for PINOY

 

 

PAF Fokker 28 for VVIP (photo : PAF)

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) plans to allot funds for the purchase of a new presidential plane to replace the 30-year-old Fokker 28 used by President Aquino.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the plane is too old and the President “cannot be renting planes all the time.”

He said officials are already cautious about taking the old plane.

Popularly known as F-28 “Fellowship,” the plane was manufactured by the now defunct Fokker Aviation BV based in the Netherlands.

The model came out of the Fokker factory in 1979 and was bought by the then Central Bank of the Philippines to be used by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.

It was delivered to the Philippines in September 1980. Its ownership was transferred from the Central Bank to the Office of the President on Dec. 26, 1995. It was eventually donated to the

Philippine Air Force in May 2006.

As of March 11, 2011, its total flying time was 5,525 hours.

The plane’s last mandatory inspection was a “D” check, also known as a heavy maintenance visit, conducted in Indonesia in 2009. During the detailed inspection of the structure, additional

work was done on the plane – the cabin interior was refurbished, seats were reupholstered, in-flight entertainment was installed and the exterior repainted.

(PhilStar)

Philippines to refocus on territorial defence

By:   Greg Waldron Singapore

Source:

The Philippine air force hopes to announce the procurement of several new types during 2012, as the service re-orients from counter-insurgency operations to focus on defending the nation's territorial integrity.

Under the auspices of its Capability Upgrade Plan, the air force could announce several acquisitions in the coming 12 months, a spokesperson said.

The plan calls for between four and six lead-in jet trainer/attack aircraft and six aircraft to replace the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, plus two maritime patrol aircraft, and one or two others to be dedicated to command and control/intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks.


Manila also plans to request 12 former US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 25 fighters from Washington, although this is not a formal requirement. Any Philippine F-16 deal would be similar to the USA's granting last year of permission to transfer 24 ex-US Air National Guard F-16C/D Block 15s - categorised as "excess defence articles" - to Indonesia.

The Philippine air force has not operated jet fighters since retiring its Northrop F-5s in 2005, but has continued to operate the Aermacchi S-211. "We still have the proficiency and doctrine to operate jets," the company said. "We are not starting from zero."

For the lead-in jet trainer requirement, potential candidates include the Korea Aerospace Industries T/A-50 and Alenia Aermacchi's M-346. Both companies have made representations to the air force, which also foresees a light attack role for these aircraft.

Manila also hopes to obtain six aircraft for counter-insurgency operations. Possible candidates include the Air Tractor AT-802U, Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano and Hawker Beechcraft AT-6. Both the maritime patrol and ISR aircraft are likely to be in the twin-turboprop class.

The Philippines' interest in bolstering its air force stems in no small part from the increasing assertiveness of Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea. Both nations have competing claims in the region, along with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Y

Kidnapping for ransom is so common here that the Philippines has often been described as the kidnapping capital of the world.

Often the abductions are carried out by armed men who say they are Muslim separatist rebels.


The Abu Sayyaf makes an industry out of kidnapping

For more than three decades, guerrillas belonging to the Muslim minority have been fighting for independence for their homeland in the south of this predominantly Christian country.

But when such groups embark on a kidnapping spree their motives are not necessarily political.

A lucrative business

The government is trying to revive peace talks with the main Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF.

Although the authorities have occasionally accused the MILF of carrying out the abductions, the group says it never uses such tactics.

Philippines tourism secretary Richard Gordon briefs reporters after the latest kidnapping

In contrast, a much smaller armed group, the Abu Sayyaf, makes an industry out of kidnapping.

Last year it abducted dozens of Filipinos and foreigners and collected millions of dollars of ransom.

The Abu Sayyaf say that it too is fighting for Muslim independence but although many of its members are former guerrillas there is very little that is political in any of their escapades.

When the government describes it simply a gang of bandits, its description is quite accurate.

By John Maclean in Manila
BBCNEWS

Philippine kidnappers demand ransom for Australian Map

source: BBCnews Asia

Kidnappers holding an Australian man in the Philippines have demanded $2m (£1.3m) in ransom for his release.

The message came in a video sent to the Filipina wife of Warren Richard Rodwell.

The retired soldier went missing a month ago from his home in Ipil town on the restive island of Mindanao, in the south of the country.

Officials say they believe he is being held by Islamist militants.

The Philippine military said that it believed Abu Sayyaf, an al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group, was holding Mr Rodwell.

Police found bloodstains at the scene where the 53-year-old was taken on 5 December.

His house, which he shares with his wife Miraflor Gutang, is mid-way between Pagadian City in the north and Zamboanga in the south.

In photographs sent to his wife as proof of life three days before Christmas, Mr Rodwell was shown with a wound on his right hand, said Major General Noel Coballes, commander of the Zamboanga region.

In the video, Mr Rodwell appealed to both his family and the Australian and Philippine governments to help secure his release.

The Australian government has a longstanding policy of refusing to pay ransom for its citizens.

Major Coballes told reporters that the Australian government had set up a task force to assist Philippine authorities.

The Australian embassy in Manila issued a statement saying "the Australian government has not sent a negotiating team to the Philippines", AFP reported.

"Philippine authorities are taking the lead on responding to Mr Rodwell's kidnapping. Our embassy in Manila is working closely with Philippine authorities," the statement said.

Kidnappings for ransom occur periodically in the southern islands of the Philippines, with foreigners often the target. Areas within the region are used as bases by Islamist militants and rebel groups.

DUMAGUETE DANCING TRAFFIC ENFORCER

Cat tries to wake up dead friend

By David Lague
HONG KONG | Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:29am EST
(Reuters) - China this week reached a milestone in its drive to master the military use of space with the launch of trials for its Beidou satellite global positioning network, a move that will bring it one step closer to matching U.S. space capabilities.

If Beijing can successfully deploy the full 35 satellites planned for the Beidou network on schedule by 2020, its military will be free of its current dependence for navigation on the U.S. global positioning network (GPS) signals and Russia's similar GLONASS system.

And, unlike the less accurate civilian versions of GPS and GLONASS available to the People's Liberation Army (PLA), this network will give China the accuracy to guide missiles, smart munitions and other weapons.

"This will allow a big jump in the precision attack capability of the PLA," said Andrei Chang, a Hong Kong-based analyst of the Chinese military and editor of Kanwa Asian Defense magazine.

China has launched 10 Beidou satellites and plans to launch six more by the end of next year, according to the China Satellite Navigation Management Office.

Chinese and foreign military experts say the PLA's General Staff Department and General Armaments Department closely coordinate and support all of China's space programs within the sprawling science and aerospace bureaucracy.

As part of this system, the Beidou, or "Big Dipper," network will have an important military role alongside the country's rapidly expanding network of surveillance, imaging and remote sensing satellites.

China routinely denies having military ambitions in space.

Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun Wednesday dismissed fears the Beidou network would pose a military threat, noting that all international satellite navigation systems are designed for dual civilian and military use.

CATCHING UP WITH THE U.S.

China accelerated its military satellite research and development after PLA commanders found they were unable to track two U.S. aircraft carrier battle groups deployed in 1996 to the Taiwan Strait at a time of high tension between the island and the mainland, analysts say.

The effort received a further boost when it was shown how crucial satellite networks were in the 1991 Gulf War, the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

While China still lags the United States and Russia in overall space technology, over the last decade it has rapidly become a state-of-the-art competitor in space-based surveillance after deploying a range of advanced satellite constellations that serve military and civilian agencies.

With the launch of more than 30 surveillance satellites over the last decade, according to space technology experts, the PLA can monitor an expanding area of the earth's surface with increased frequency, an important element of reliable military reconnaissance.

That coverage gives PLA commanders vastly improved capability to detect and track potential military targets.

Real-time satellite images and data can also be used to coordinate the operations of China's naval, missile and strike aircraft forces in operations far from the mainland.

"What we are seeing is China broadly acquiring the same capabilities in this area as those held by the U.S.," said Ross Babbage, a defense analyst and founder of the Canberra-based Kokoda Foundation, an independent security policy unit.

"Essentially, they are making most of the Western Pacific far more transparent to their military."

In a recent article for the Journal of Strategic Studies, researchers Eric Hagt and Matthew Durnin attempted to estimate the capability of China's space network using orbital modeling software and available data on satellite performance.

China's most basic satellites carried electro-optical sensors capable of taking high resolution digital images in the visible and non-visible wavelengths, wrote the authors.

More advanced satellites launched in recent years carried powerful synthetic aperture radars that could penetrate cloud and cover much bigger areas in high detail.

Added to that, China was now deploying satellites that could monitor electronic signals and emissions, so-called electronic intelligence or ELINT platforms, the authors said.

"Next to China, only the United States possesses more capable tactical support systems in space for tactical operations," they wrote.

(Editing by Don Durfee and Robert Birsel)

Reuters

Philippine military to buy bullet-making equipment

 More upgrades are coming in to AFP


MANILA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government signed Thursday a contract with a Canadian contractor for the acquisition of 335.8 million pesos (7.72 million U.S. dollars) worth of equipment to boost the production of ammunition for government troops.

Government Arsenal Director Maj. Gen. (ret.) Jonathan Martir signed the contract with Andre Nazarian, president of the Waterbury Farell in a simple ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo.

The contract binds the foreign firm to deliver a multi-station bullet assembly machine, a case manufacture equipment, and cartridge assembly equipment within 18 months upon the opening of the letter of credit.

"Our acquisition of these equipment shall certainly enhance the capability of our Government Arsenal to manufacture high-quality, safe, and reliable ammunition for our Armed Forces and other government law enforcement agencies," Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.

At present, Martir said the Government Arsenal produces 58 percent of the total military requirement on ammunition for small arms like M16, M4 rifle, M4 Carbine rifle, and Minimi squad automatic weapons.

Martir said the defense department will get the funds from the Armed Forces Modernization Program. By next year, he said the Philippines might buy more equipment to manufacture not only ammunition but also assault rifles.

Editor: Bi Mingxin

Xinhua

DND orders military to look into possible acquisition of anti-ship weapons

By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated January 01, 2012 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) has ordered the military to look into the possibility of acquiring anti-ship weapons and beef up its maritime surveillance capability.

In its planning guidance for 2013 to 2018, the DND said maritime security is challenged by traditional concerns like safeguarding the Kalayaan Island Group and non-traditional concerns like terrorism, smuggling, piracy and human and drug trafficking.

DND, however, lamented the military’s maritime surveillance capability is “low” due to the unavailability of platforms and aging equipment.

“The Program 1 Resource Manager shall study the possibility and merits of acquiring a capability for delivering anti-ship weapons up to a range of about 100 miles through shore-based mobile missile batteries in the long term,” DND said, referring to military managers.

“The Program 2 Resource Manager shall gradually develop the capability for long-range maritime air patrol and surveillance,” it added.

Developing the maritime air surveillance would entail acquiring assets for long-range maritime air patrol, accompanying base support systems and other platforms to maintain and sustain deployable and deployed assets.

Military resource managers were also ordered to “gradually develop the capability for air surface and sub-surface surveillance detection and interdiction within maritime domain.”

The DND said such endeavor would require the acquisition of assets for offshore patrol, strategic sea- lift, and accompanying base support systems and platforms.

“Likewise, the development of the National Coast Watch System shall also be given priority,” the DND guidance read.

Last September, President Aquino issued Executive Order 57, which called for the creation of the national coast watch system. The order seeks to expand the country’s naval security operations and to protect its natural resources.

The DND is also planning to acquire a squadron of surface attack aircraft in the next few years to enhance the military’s capability to secure the country’s airspace. DND said enhancing the country’s air assets would address the Philippines’ territorial defense concerns.

The DND also wants to acquire air surveillance radars and to develop the military’s air defense system.

“The Program 2 Resource Manager shall gradually develop the capability of air surveillance and interdiction by reactivating the Philippine Air Defense System and acquiring air surveillance radars and one squadron of surface attack aircraft,” DND said.

A squadron consists of 12 to 24 aircraft units. A surface attack aircraft is capable of interception and maritime patrols.

DND admitted the military’s air defense capability is “insufficient to address territorial defense concerns.” It also admitted the Philippine Air Defense Control Center and other units cannot effectively perform their required duties like air intelligence, aerial patrol and air reconnaissance.

The military, for its part, has re-supplied its forces and deployed fresh troops in Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

Aside from troop deployment which the Palawan-based Western Command (Wescom) described as routine rotation of forces, all naval units in the region, along with the newly acquired Navy frigate, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, have been placed on standby and for any disaster response and other seaborne operations during the holidays. – With Jaime Laude

Philippine STAR

Navy Revives Plan to Buy P5-B Ship

Indonesia and South Korea will compete for the tender of MRV ship for Philippine navy (photo : Kaskus Militer)

The Navy has been cleared to begin negotiations for the purchase of a multirole vessel from any of the friendly nations, Rear Admiral Alexander Pama said on Sunday.

“The latest process that we had undergone with the Department of National Defense had good results and we did not encounter anymore objections,” Pama said.

“Hopefully, all the procedures required by the defense acquisition system would be finalized and early next year we can start negotiations for the acquisition,” Pama said.

But Pama said the Navy has yet to obtain President Aquino’s approval for the purchase plan, which is part of the military’s modernization.

An MRV, which costs at least P5 billion, will serve as a mother ship equipped with state-of-the-art radars and sensors for monitoring aircrafts and patrol boats, Pama said.

Early this year, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin temporarily dropped the acquisition of an MRV

from the list of big-ticket items and gave priority to light sea-crafts for internal security operations and disaster response.

Gazmin changed his mind following China’s alleged intrusions into Philippine territorial waters particularly in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) where the hotly disputed Spratly islands is situated.

Last August, the Philippines acquired a patrol vessel—Hamilton-class cutter—from the United States Coast Guard for P423 million to beef up security at the Malampaya gas project. The Navy renamed it BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

“The dry-docking and repainting of PF15 costs P47.914 million while the refitting to our Navy configuration is P13.872 million. It was funded by the Department of Energy.”

On Dec. 14, the Navy with Aquino as the guest of honor will launch the commissioning of the vessel together with a Philippine-made Landing Utility Craft called BRP Tagbanua (AT296), a BO105 Helicopter (PNH422) and a refurbished Presidential Yacht called BRP Ang Pangulo (AT25).

The P189 million- BRP Tagbanua, made in Misamis Oriental, is configured to transport combat personnel, tanks, vehicles, artillery equipment, and cargoes in support of military operations and perform medical assistance as well as disaster, rescue and relief operations.

(Manila Standard Today)

Second Hamilton-class ship to be deployed to West Phl Sea

MANILA, Philippines - The second Hamilton-class patrol ship that will be acquired from the US would also be deployed to the West Philippine Sea area to secure the country’s natural resources, the Navy said yesterday.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the ship, which may be transferred to the Philippines by the first or second quarter of 2012, would also guard the energy projects in Malampaya off Palawan.

He said the acquisition of the ship from the US will improve the military’s maritime defense capability.

“It (acquisition) will boost our external defense and it will add to our desired fleet of Hamilton-class vessels,” Tonsay said.

A Navy inspection team, led by Navy Vice Commander Rear Adm. Orwen Cortez, was sent to South Carolina last week to inspect the US Coast Guard vessel being eyed for acquisition.

The team conducted the inspection from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 as part of the Navy’s continued efforts to upgrade naval capability.

In a statement, Tonsay said the team inspected the US Coast Guard cutter Dallas, which would be acquired through the US Excess Defense Articles project.

The inspection involved orientation tours, preliminary transfer discussions, and ship’s organization and mission briefings.

“An in-depth inspection of the entire ship, examination of the actual equipment on board, and checking of machinery records were also conducted to ensure the actual status of the ship,” Tonsay said.

He said the Navy team and the US Coast Guard discussed matters pertaining to the transfer of the ship to Manila.

“These (matters) include the readiness status of the vessel where it was determined to be mission ready and is expected to be a hot transfer,” Tonsay said.

“This means that the ship is still very much in active service in the US and will be decommissioned only to effect its transfer to the Philippines,” he added.

The US Coast Guard cutter Dallas is a weather high-endurance cutter and has features similar to the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the first Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Navy from the US Coast Guard.

The US Coast Guard had used the ship for drug and migrant interdiction, law enforcement, search and rescue, living marine resources protection, and defense readiness.

It is powered by diesel engines and gas turbines and is re-equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter operations. The ship can accommodate up to 180 officers and sailors.

Earlier, the government acquired its first Hamilton-class vessel from the US Coast Guard to upgrade the military’s external defense capabilities.

The ship, which has been renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was deployed at the West Philippine Sea to secure energy projects. The vessel is expected to be commissioned this month.

The transfer cost for the Gregorio del Pilar has been pegged at P450 million. It was acquired under the US Foreign Military Sales program using proceeds from the Malampaya project funds.

The Gregorio del Pilar is classified as a cutter, a high-speed vessel that can cut through waves. The ship is now the Navy’s largest vessel.

The 380 feet-long vessel was turned over by the US Coast Guard to Philippine officials in California last May 13. It arrived in Philippine territory last Aug. 17.

(PhilStar)