Philippines Defence Forum

[Malaya]

AFP Eyeing Anti-Ship Missiles
By Elena L. Aben
February 18, 2013

MANILA, Philippines --- A Department of National Defense (DND) official revealed that a committee is now studying the possibility of arming the Philippine Navy’s (PN) two Hamilton-class cutters with anti-ship missiles.

However, the official refused to disclose the type of anti-ship missiles currently being evaluated by the committee, but he said that once installed, this will give the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and soon to arrive BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) more capability in protecting the country's maritime domain.

He added, having the anti-missiles will also give BRP Del Pilar and BRP Alcaraz more firepower in engaging would-be poachers and intruders.

Earlier, defense officials identified the Harpoon as the ideal missile system for the PN's Hamilton-class cutters noting that the weapon was already deployed aboard the USCGC Mellon, the sister ship of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, in January 1990.

While the ship's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite and Harpoon capability were removed in the latter part of the 1990s, this served as a proof of capability for all USCG cutters.

The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing Defense, Space & Security).

The regular Harpoon uses active radar homing, and a low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory to improve survivability and lethality. The missile's launch platforms include: Fixed-wing aircraft (the AGM-84, without the solid-fuel rocket booster); Surface ships (the RGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster that detaches when expended, to allow the missile's main turbojet to maintain flight); Submarines (the UGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster and encapsulated in a container to enable submerged launch through a torpedo tube); and Coastal defense batteries, from which it would be fired with a solid-fuel rocket booster.

In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7,000th Harpoon unit since the weapon's introduction in 1977. The missile system has also been further developed into a land-strike weapon, the standoff land attack missile.

The regular Harpoon uses active radar homing, and a low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory to improve survivability and lethality. The missile’s launch platforms include:

* Fixed-wing aircraft (the AGM-84, without the solid-fuel rocket booster).

* Surface ships (the RGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster that detaches when expended, to allow the missile's main turbojet to maintain flight).

* Submarines (the UGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster and encapsulated in a container to enable submerged launch through a torpedo tube).

* Coastal defense batteries, from which it would be fired with a solid-fuel rocket booster. (With a report from PNA)

AFP Eyeing Anti-Ship Missiles

 

[Malaya]

PNoy 'delighted, proud' of National Book Store recall of 'pro-China' globes
By: InterAksyon.com
February 19, 2013

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III was "delighted and proud" of National Book Store for recalling China-manufactured globes that showed the disputed territories as part of China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said.

In his letter of commendation to NBS vice president for purchasing Cecilia Ramos-Licauco, del Rosario said the company demonstrated "its patriotism in the protection of Philippine sovereign rights over West Philippine Sea" when it withdrew the globes from its shelves.

"I was highly encouraged by your management’s decision…Your resolve in immediately implementing this decision reflected your company’s strong sense of nationalism over and above economic profit," del Rosario said. "I personally shared this with the President and he was delighted and proud of your management’s selfless and patriotic acts."

The globes contained China's contentious nine-dash line encompassing almost the entire West Philippine Sea, including the Spratlys and the Scarborough Shoal, which have been the flashpoints in the relationship between the two countries.

"We are entering a critical juncture following our initation of Arbitral Proceedings against China on the nine-dash line to bring a durable soution to the West Philippine Sea dispute," del Rosario said. "It is vital that the Filipino people stand in unity to defend 'what is ours' in accordance with the Philippine Constitution."

Del Rosario said National Book Store's example will inspire Filipinos to express their patriotism in their own individual capacities.

PNoy 'delighted, proud' of National Book Store recall of 'pro-China' globes - InterAksyon.com



PSEi breaks through 6,600-mark
By: Krista Angela M. Montealegre, InterAksyon.com
February 19, 2013

MANILA - (UPDATED 3:52 p.m.) Philippine share prices on Tuesday closed above the 6,600 mark for the first time driven by liquidity and optimism on corporate earnings.

At the Philippine Stock Exchange, the composite index rose 55.49 points or 0.85 percent to a fresh all-time high of 6,620.72, surpassing its previous peak at 6,565.23 last Monday. The benchmark index also posted an intraday high of 6,632.56.

Leading the market's ascent today were the property and financials counters, which rallied 1.89 percent and 1.05 percent, respectively.

However, market breadth was negative, as decliners beat advancers, 94 to 75, while 52 issues were unchanged. A total of 2.34 billion stocks worth P10.25 billion changed hands.

Actively traded stocks were SM Investments, Alliance Global, PBB, Metrobank and Megaworld. Top advancers were PBB, Easycall and Suntrust, while the biggest decliners were Central Azucarera, Manila Bulletin and Ionics.

"The market continues to be driven by liquidity. The market continues to go up coupled with strong volume amid the positive backdrop of low interest rates and favorable macro-economic fundamentals," said Jose Vistan of AB Capital Securities Inc.

Investors are also positioning ahead of the influx of corporate earnings results.

"I think the market is looking at a 20 percent growth in earnings, justifying the market's PE," said Vistan. PE refers to price-earnings ratio, a measure of how expensive a stock or the entire stock market is.

"I think investors are starting to factor in corporate earnings growth prospects. Others are also going into the equities mart as they search for investment instruments that could provide higher yields," said Freya Natividad, investment analyst at 2TradeAsia.com.

She said commodities like gold, copper and crude have been declining since last week. US markets were closed for the President's Day.

http://www.interaksyon.com/business/55382/psei-breaks-through-6600-mark

 

[Zero_wing]

Ayos na ito mga tol mabuti na ang pilipinas.

AFP Eyeing Anti-Ship Missiles
By Elena L. Aben
February 18, 2013

MANILA, Philippines --- A Department of National Defense (DND) official revealed that a committee is now studying the possibility of arming the Philippine Navy’s (PN) two Hamilton-class cutters with anti-ship missiles.

However, the official refused to disclose the type of anti-ship missiles currently being evaluated by the committee, but he said that once installed, this will give the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and soon to arrive BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) more capability in protecting the country's maritime domain.

He added, having the anti-missiles will also give BRP Del Pilar and BRP Alcaraz more firepower in engaging would-be poachers and intruders.

Earlier, defense officials identified the Harpoon as the ideal missile system for the PN's Hamilton-class cutters noting that the weapon was already deployed aboard the USCGC Mellon, the sister ship of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, in January 1990.

While the ship's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite and Harpoon capability were removed in the latter part of the 1990s, this served as a proof of capability for all USCG cutters.

The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing Defense, Space & Security).

The regular Harpoon uses active radar homing, and a low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory to improve survivability and lethality. The missile's launch platforms include: Fixed-wing aircraft (the AGM-84, without the solid-fuel rocket booster); Surface ships (the RGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster that detaches when expended, to allow the missile's main turbojet to maintain flight); Submarines (the UGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster and encapsulated in a container to enable submerged launch through a torpedo tube); and Coastal defense batteries, from which it would be fired with a solid-fuel rocket booster.

In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7,000th Harpoon unit since the weapon's introduction in 1977. The missile system has also been further developed into a land-strike weapon, the standoff land attack missile.

The regular Harpoon uses active radar homing, and a low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory to improve survivability and lethality. The missile’s launch platforms include:

* Fixed-wing aircraft (the AGM-84, without the solid-fuel rocket booster).

* Surface ships (the RGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster that detaches when expended, to allow the missile's main turbojet to maintain flight).

* Submarines (the UGM-84, fitted with a solid-fuel rocket booster and encapsulated in a container to enable submerged launch through a torpedo tube).

* Coastal defense batteries, from which it would be fired with a solid-fuel rocket booster. (With a report from PNA)

AFP Eyeing Anti-Ship Missiles

Dapat may ASW(Anti Sub Weapons) and SAM (Surface to Air) missiles rin plus CIWS (Close in Weapon System) bakit isa lang?

 

[Viet]

PNoy 'delighted, proud' of National Book Store recall of 'pro-China' globes
By: InterAksyon.com
February 19, 2013


PSEi breaks through 6,600-mark
By: Krista Angela M. Montealegre, InterAksyon.com
February 19, 2013

Congrat Philippines, keep going!

 

[Malaya]

DND to buy P979-M coast watch system
By Alexis Romero (philstar.com) | Updated February 21, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) will acquire coast watch system equipment worth P979 million to secure the government's energy projects.

In a bid bulletin, DND said the project would involve the supply and delivery of coast watch requirements, boats, firearms and ammunition, oil takedown equipment, and night vision devices.

DND Undersecretary Eduardo Batac, chairman of the DND Special Bids and Awards Committee, said the project is divided into five lots or projects.

Lot 1 involves the purchase of coast watch system requirements worth P877 million to enhance maritime domain awareness and security of energy service contract areas.

The second lot entails the procurement of two rigid hull inflatable boats worth P63.16 million. The supply and delivery of firearms, accessories and ammunition worth P21.81 million constitute lot 3.

Lot 4, meanwhile, involves the supply and delivery of P10.58-million worth of gas and oil platform takedown equipment and gears.

The supply and delivery of night vision devices worth P6.39 million constitute lot 5. All the packages will be accompanied with integrated logistics support.

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the project would also involve radars and sensors, which will form part of a command and control communications system.

He declined to say where the devices would be installed, citing security reasons.

Earlier government statements, however, said service contract zones are located in, among other areas, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Northwest Palawan, Mindoro Cuyo, East Palawan, Cotabato and Sulu Sea.

The natural gas projects in Palawan are located in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the subject of a tense territorial dispute in the region.

The Philippines is claiming several islets, shoals, reefs and sandbars in the West Philippine Sea. China claims the entire area while Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

DND said the acquisition would be conducted through open competitive bidding. The bidding would be done in two stages.

The deadline for the submission of bids for some equipment under Lot 1 and Lots 2 to 5 will be on March 11 at 9 a.m.

For the other components of Lot 1, the deadline for the submission of offers is on April 24 also at 9 a.m.

Interested firms may purchase bid documents worth P75,000 from the DND Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat.

A pre-bid conference for the project will be held on Feb. 27 to allow the prospective bidders to raise their questions and concerns.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/02/21/911524/dnd-buy-p979-m-coast-watch-system




Philippines, Japan to hold talks on maritime cooperation
(philstar.com) | Updated February 21, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the Philippines will hold a dialogue on maritime cooperation with Japan on Friday.

The DFA said that the 2nd Dialogue on Maritime and Oceanic Affairs will be held at its main office in Pasay City.

"During the meeting, the two countries will discuss various areas of cooperation particularly in maritime safety, maritime security, anti-piracy measures, fisheries and marine scientific research," the DFA said.

The Philippine delegation will be headed by DFA Assistant Secretary Gilberto Asuque. Special Assistant Henry Bensurto, DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, will act as co-chairman.

The Japanese delegation, meanwhile, will be headed by Kenji Kanasugi, Deputy Director-General for Southwest and Southeast Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both countries are locked in territorial disputes with China.

The Philippines and China are in dispute over the ownership of the Panatag Shoal near Zambales province and parts of the Spratly Group of Islands near Palawan province.

Japan, meanwhile, is in dispute with China over the ownership of Senkaku Island, which is called by the Chinese as Diaoyu.

The Philippine and Japan held the first dialogue on maritime cooperation in 2011 in Tokyo.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2...ippines-japan-hold-talks-maritime-cooperation

Ayos na ito mga tol mabuti na ang pilipinas.



Dapat may ASW(Anti Sub Weapons) and SAM (Surface to Air) missiles rin plus CIWS (Close in Weapon System) bakit isa lang?

Kaya nga eh sana nga kumuha rin sila

 

[Malaya]

Philex Petroleum unit plans more gas drilling

A UNIT of Philex Petroleum Corp. wants to do more drilling around a natural gas field in contested waters in South China Sea despite a deepening diplomatic dispute between Manila and Beijing over the area.


London-listed Forum Energy Plc., which is majority-owned by Philex Petroleum, plans this year to conduct a survey to identify and evaluate other gas prospects near its Sampaguita gas field in the Reed Bank, where the Philippines is spending millions to harden its military presence.

Territorial disputes between the Philippines and China have hampered Forum’s plan to drill at least two more appraisal wells under the Service Contract (SC) 72 exploration permit awarded to it by the government in 2010.

In March 2011, two Chinese vessels threatened to ram a survey ship contracted by Forum in the Reed Bank area, triggering renewed tensions between the two countries. China lays claim to virtually all the South China Sea while the Philippines and four other countries -- Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Malaysia -- claim certain parts.

“A seismic reprocessing program is being planned in 2013 to further assess the prospectivity of other areas outside the Sampaguita field within SC 72,” Forum said in a filing linked to a Philex Petroleum disclosure on Thursday to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

China says it owns the Reed Bank, but the Philippines insists it has sole sovereignty over the waters within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

“We remain in close dialogue with the Philippine government on how best to progress the development of this important asset,” Forum said.

HUGE POTENTIAL

The South China Sea holds around 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in proven and probable reserves, surpassing untapped resources in Europe, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

The Philippines’ Defense department said on Thursday it will open tenders next month for P979 million ($24 million) worth of radars, sensors and weapons for two coastal watch stations on the western Palawan islands to help secure oil and gas exploration in the Reed Bank.

Fernando I. Manalo, Defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, told reporters the Philippines also wants to buy inflatable boats, small guns, and night vision goggles.

Sources in the Defense department familiar with the project said four coastal radar stations will be set up on Palawan. A bid document on its Web site says the equipment is “for the enhancement of maritime domain awareness and security of the Department of Energy service contract areas.”

DEFERRED OPPORTUNITIES

A report on audited 2012 results in the same filing showed that Forum swung to a $26.424-million from $3.420-million profit.

In the same comparative periods, revenues dipped by 64.49% to $4.522 million from $12.734 million.

The company noted that the decrease of $8.2 million in revenues was due to lower production of Galoc oil field, which reached only 5,410 barrels of oil per day (bopd) last year from 6,637 bopd in 2011 due to equipment upgrading in the first quarter.

Forum noted that Galoc oil field has “been a steady provider of cash.”

Cost of sales in the period went down by 47.87% to $3.604 million from $6.913 million . The company recorded a $25.359-million “impairment of deferred exploration assets” from none in 2011.

Company officials were not immediately available when sought for details.

“Whilst our net loss this year was significant, this predominantly related to our recognition of the need to revalue our noncore assets at SC 40, following receipt of a new independent report on resource estimates,” Forum Executive Chairman Robin Nicholson said in the report.

“We remain focused on our key asset, SC 72, and on our goal of establishing the commerciality of the potential hydrocarbon resources within the SC 72 Concession.”

At the same time, Mr. Nicholson said the company has to “recognize that we face significant challenges in the West Philippine Sea where SC 72 is located.”

“We appreciate that this goal can only be realized with the continuing support of the Philippine Government,” he said.

Forum holds 70% stake in SC 72, located in the West Philippine Sea. It also holds 2.27% interest in SC 14 or the Galoc oil field located in the waters northwest of Palawan and 66.67% interest in waters west of Cebu island.

Philex Petroleum holds 60.49%total direct and indirect interest in Forum.

Philex Petroleum shares yesterday gained 30 centavos or 0.92% to P32.80 apiece from P32.50 on Wednesday.

First Pacific Co. Ltd., a majority owner of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), is the single largest shareholder in Philex Mining Corp., the immediate mother unit of Philex Petroleum. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a minority stake in BusinessWorld. -- Reuters with Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano

- See more at: Philex Petroleum unit plans more gas drilling | BusinessWorld Online

 

[nufix]

No more second frigates for PN - DND official
By Priam F. Nepomuceno


MANILA, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- A ranking Department of National Defense (DND) official has said the option to acquire second-hand frigates to boost the numbers and capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN) has been waived.

Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions,installation and materiel, said this because evaluation studies found out that acquiring these vessels will be more costly in the long run.

"The PN found out that it will be more expensive to maintain second hand vessel(s) than buying a new one," he added.

With this conclusion, the Italian-made "Maestrale" frigates, are no longer in the running for possible acquisition by the Philippines.

"Its no longer being evaluated," Manalo stressed.

The "Maestrale" was earlier touted by the DND as the next ships to be acquired for the PN due to its credible missile and anti-submarine capabilities.

With this development, Manalo said the Philippines is now looking for new build naval ships with the same configuration.

The DND earlier said that five countries have expressed their intention to sell the Philippines modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels which will help the country protect its vast maritime territories.

These offers came from the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and Australia.

All vessels being offered by these nations are brand new.

Manalo added that offers of the above-mentioned countries started coming during the last quarter of 2012.

The DND official attributed the sudden influx of would-be-suppliers to the fact the Philippine is now seriously upgrading its military forces.

The Philippines is in the market for two modern and powerful frigates in order to enhance its maritime domain awareness and protection capabilities. (PNA)
FPV/PFN




So, what is the next plan for PN further acquisition? I was once thought that this maestrale deal is a good deal, turning that down means no more frigates for lets' say 5 years at least.

 

[ManilaBoy45]

Passenger Ship Runs Aground in Central Philippines

Passenger ship runs aground in C. Philippines - Xinhua | English.news.cn

MANILA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A passenger vessel with over 400 people on board ran aground Saturday morning off central Philippine province of Cebu, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said later that day.

MV Trans Asia 9 with 364 passengers and 72 crew members was on its way to Cebu port from Southern Philippine city of Cagayan de Oro when it hit a shallow part of Lawid Ridge in Cebu due to low tide at around 6:35 a.m., the agency said.

The PCG District Cebu immediately sent its personnel in the area to provide assistance and evacuate the passengers if necessary, it said.

 

[Malaya]

No more second frigates for PN - DND official
By Priam F. Nepomuceno

MANILA, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- A ranking Department of National Defense (DND) official has said the option to acquire second-hand frigates to boost the numbers and capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN) has been waived.

Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions,installation and materiel, said this because evaluation studies found out that acquiring these vessels will be more costly in the long run.

"The PN found out that it will be more expensive to maintain second hand vessel(s) than buying a new one," he added.

With this conclusion, the Italian-made "Maestrale" frigates, are no longer in the running for possible acquisition by the Philippines.

"Its no longer being evaluated," Manalo stressed.

The "Maestrale" was earlier touted by the DND as the next ships to be acquired for the PN due to its credible missile and anti-submarine capabilities.

With this development, Manalo said the Philippines is now looking for new build naval ships with the same configuration.

The DND earlier said that five countries have expressed their intention to sell the Philippines modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels which will help the country protect its vast maritime territories.

These offers came from the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and Australia.

All vessels being offered by these nations are brand new.

Manalo added that offers of the above-mentioned countries started coming during the last quarter of 2012.

The DND official attributed the sudden influx of would-be-suppliers to the fact the Philippine is now seriously upgrading its military forces.

The Philippines is in the market for two modern and powerful frigates in order to enhance its maritime domain awareness and protection capabilities. (PNA)
FPV/PFN

So, what is the next plan for PN further acquisition? I was once thought that this maestrale deal is a good deal, turning that down means no more frigates for lets' say 5 years at least.

Most probably, it could have been best acquisition by DND especially in our case today, and our navy urgently needs it. Now, I can't help but think that the funds have been misused in political campaigns for this coming election thus, they are saying that they want new ones in order to prolong the procurement tsk tsk. Well I just hope I'm wrong though I'm still not losing hope.




Only brand new ships for Philippine Navy upgrade: DND official
By: Priam F. Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency
February 23, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - A ranking Department of National Defense official says the acquisition of second-hand frigates is no longer an option for the Philippine Navy.

Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, installation and materiel, said recently that acquiring such vessels from foreign countries will ultimately be costlier than buying new ships.

Given this, Italian-made "Maestrale" frigates are no longer being considered for possible acquisition by the Philippines. "It’s no longer being evaluated," Manalo said.

The "Maestrale" was earlier touted by the DND as the next ships to be acquired for the Navy due to its credible missile and anti-submarine capabilities.

Five other countries have expressed intentions to sell modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels to the badly equipped Philippine navy: the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and Australia. All vessels being offered by these nations are brand new.

The Philippines is in the market for two modern and powerful frigates in order to enhance its maritime protection capabilities, especially in the West Philippine Sea, where territorial disputes with China have arisen.

Only brand new ships for Philippine Navy upgrade: DND official - InterAksyon.com

 

[Malaya]

Phl benefits from China's refusal to join arbitration
By Alexis Romero (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Friday that China's refusal to participate in the arbitration process on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute is favorable to the Philippines.

Gazmin said China’s decision would raise questions as to why it does not want to face the arbitration tribunal.

“E di mas maganda para sa atin pag hindi sila mag-participate (It would be favorable for us if they [China] do not participate),” Gazmin said in an interview.

“Well, the natural reaction is why they don’t want to face the tribunal” he added.

Gazmin noted that the arbitration process would continue even if China had rejected it.

“Whether they reject or not, the case will proceed even if they do not participate,” he said.

Last month, the Philippines challenged China’s territorial claim to most of the West Philippine Sea before an international tribunal of the United Nations (UN).

China claims almost the entire West Philippine Sea and the East Sea. The area, delineated by a so-called nine-dash line, covers more than 100 islets, atolls and reefs.

The Philippines believes China’s nine-dash line, which outlined its claims over most of the sea is illegal. China’s claims also overlap with those of the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam.

The Philippines hopes the international tribunal would declare China’s claim in the West Philippine Sea as contrary to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

The Philippines also asked China to desist from unlawful activities that violate its sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

In explaining the government’s decision to bring the dispute to the UN tribunal, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines has tried almost all avenues for a peaceful settlement of the territorial row.

On Tuesday, China rejected the conduct of international proceedings on the dispute and insisted that the row should be settled through bilateral talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the notice of arbitration forwarded by the Philippines have “serious mistakes both in fact and law.”

China reiterated that it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the entire West Philippine Sea, a claim that the Philippines has described as “excessive.”

The Philippines, however, said the refusal of China to join the proceedings will not derail the arbitration process.

“China’s action will not interfere with the process of arbitration initiated by the Philippines on 22 January 2013. The Arbitration will proceed under Annex VII of UNCLOS and the 5-member arbitration panel will be formed with or without China,” the Foreign Affairs department said in a statement.

“The Philippines remains committed to arbitration which is a friendly, peaceful and durable form of dispute settlement that should be welcomed by all,” it added.

Phl benefits from China's refusal to join arbitration | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com




DND to boost defense of Reed Bank

MANILA - The Department of National Defense is planning to boost security in Western Palawan, particularly in the Reed Bank.

The DND said it will open bidding for nearly a billion pesos worth of security equipment such as radars, sensors and weapons for 2 coastal stations in the area.

These will secure oil and gas exploration projects in the Reed Bank to which China is also staking a claim.

Meanwhile, Philex Petroleum Unit's Forum Energy said it will conduct more gas drilling at the South China Sea.

The territorial row between the Philippines and China has been hampering Philex's plans in the area.

 

[nufix]

Most probably, it could have been best acquisition by DND especially in our case today, and our navy urgently needs it. Now, I can't help but think that the funds have been misused in political campaigns for this coming election thus, they are saying that they want new ones in order to prolong the procurement tsk tsk. Well I just hope I'm wrong though I'm still not losing hope.

I don't know why, but I think there's some minor movements from certain parties in Phil government that don't want to strengthen PN's military capability. PN condition now is similar to Indonesia in 2000-2004, certain powerful people just didn't want to let Indonesia become strong because it may disturb their personal interest, so they blunted almost every acquisition by Indonesian Military Forces. Things changed after former army general Mr. Yudhoyono took office in 2004.

Does Mr. Aquino have any military background?

 

[Zero_wing]

I don't know why, but I think there's some minor movements from certain parties in Phil government that don't want to strengthen PN's military capability. PN condition now is similar to Indonesia in 2000-2004, certain powerful people just didn't want to let Indonesia become strong because it may disturb their personal interest, so they blunted almost every acquisition by Indonesian Military Forces. Things changed after former army general Mr. Yudhoyono took office in 2004.

Does Mr. Aquino have any military background?

Well no his just a gun enthusiast ever since he got shot when he was young by coup plotters in her mother Presidency in 1980s he started to train with guns maybe it left something in him to train to protect himself any his great grandfather (general in the Philippine Revolution and Philippine American War) and his father (Reserve Officer in the Philippine Navy) who have some military background. Well its a damn shame really i was looking forward to see those two ships in navy i predicted some names for the two ships like BRP Jose Ignacio Paua (Chinese General in the Phil Revolution) and the BRP Jose Torres Bugallon (major great field officer of General Luna Brigade) Or the Founder of the Philippine Navy Gen Pascual Ledesma or that Cuban fellow calling himself the Admiral of the Philippine Navy Vicente Catalan or Visayan Generals for a change like Aniceto Lacson, Pantaleon Villegas, The Magbuna brothers Pascual Magbanua and Elias Magbanua maybe their sister Teresa Magbanua she fought three wars for the Philippines (Philippine Revolution/ Philippine American war and non combat capacity in World War 2) or Arcadio Maxilom from Cebu or maybe someone from Mindanao like General Vicente Alvarez of Zamboaga or Colonel Apolinar Velez or the Guys who donated their ships to make the the first fleet of the first Philippine Navy Leon Apacible, Manuel Lopez and Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio who donated the Taaleño, the Balayan, the Bulusan, the Taal and the Purísima Concepción. Man i a lot of names to pick too bad.

Dont get me wrong i love new ship its just it takes months to build anything can happen having 4 fully armed ship in the Philippines would make the people think about attacking us but now we are as open as sexy girl walking on street full of rapist.

 

[p3avi8tor69]

Dont get me wrong i love new ship its just it takes months to build anything can happen having 4 fully armed ship in the Philippines would make the people think about attacking us but now we are as open as sexy girl walking on street full of rapist.

Filipino bot has no clue what he is talking about.

It takes years to build a ship not months kid.

 

[Fsjal]

Filipino bot has no clue what he is talking about.

It takes years to build a ship not months kid.

Agree. It took a few years just for a single Type 052C destroyer to be built and that's the same with Type 052D.
BTW the last part of what he said is weird.

 

[Zero_wing]

Hahahaha well the point is were defenseless right now both chinese are the ones who don't know anything