Philippines Defence Forum

[Nike]

First Steel Cutting Ceremony of Ph. Navy SSV in PT PAL facility

 

[katarabhumi]

PT PAL kicks off production of warships for the Philippines
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Thu, January 22 2015

State-owned shipyard PT PAL Indonesia began on Thursday the production of two strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) for the Philippine Navy, the company's first ever foreign order.

PT PAL president director M Firmansyah said the order was an achievement and a challenge in itself, as the US$90 million order was the first from a foreign customer.

"The production follows a long and tight international bidding and selection process," he said in Surabaya as reported by Antara news agency.

Speaking at the first steel cutting ceremony at PT PAL's manufacturing facility, Firmansyah said the warships had a length of 123 meters and a width of 21.8 meters.

The SSVs will have a complement of 121 crewmembers and be able to carry 500 troops as well as four tanks, four trucks, one mobile hospital, two jeeps and two helicopters.

The transport vessel has a tonnage of 10,300 tons with a 6 m draft, and can sail for 30 days with a distance of 9,630 nautical miles. Its maximum speed is 16 knots with a 2x2,920 kw powerplant.

PT PAL's SSV is a modification of the four South Korean-designed, Makassar-class landing platform docks (LPDs). Two LPDs were manufactured in South Korea (KRI Makassar 590 and KRI Surabaya 591), and another two were built in Surabaya (KRI Banjarmasin 592 and KRI Banda Aceh 593).

All four LPDs have been commissioned into the Indonesian Navy's service.

KRI Banjarmasin was sent on a mission to the Philippines for evaluation purposes before PT PAL was awarded the contract.

Meanwhile, Philippine Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Jesus C Millan said he expected that the project would increase his government’s defense capabalities.

He added that he believed that PT PAL could fulfill the order, based on its experience in previous ship-building projects.

PT PAL kicks off production of warships for the Philippines | The Jakarta Post

 

[Aepsilons]

The transport vessel has a tonnage of 10,300 tons with a 6 m draft, and can sail for 30 days with a distance of 9,630 nautical miles. Its maximum speed is 16 knots with a 2x2,920 kw powerplant.

Impressive ! Do you know what kinds of armament will be linked to this platform ?

 

[katarabhumi]

Impressive ! Do you know what kinds of armament will be linked to this platform ?

So far, no details yet on what armament will be for the Phillipine's SSVs.

Makassar-class landing platform dock - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Aepsilons]

So far, no details yet on what armament will be for the Phillipine's SSVs.

Makassar-class landing platform dock - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Filipinos should install 2 CIWS platforms on her, and install Harpoon ASMs as well , maybe even ASROC platform as well.

This ship , when launched into the Philippine Navy, should be used as their Command Ship of the Philippine Fleet. Should be guarded and bristling with necessary defense mechanisms.

 

[Nike]

The Filipinos should install 2 CIWS platforms on her, and install Harpoon ASMs as well , maybe even ASROC platform as well.

This ship , when launched into the Philippine Navy, should be used as their Command Ship of the Philippine Fleet. Should be guarded and bristling with necessary defense mechanisms.

they don't have that kind of luxury

 

[Nike]

 

[Cossack25A1]

The Filipinos should install 2 CIWS platforms on her, and install Harpoon ASMs as well , maybe even ASROC platform as well.

This ship , when launched into the Philippine Navy, should be used as their Command Ship of the Philippine Fleet. Should be guarded and bristling with necessary defense mechanisms.

I think it would be better if the command ship is airborne.

Impressive ! Do you know what kinds of armament will be linked to this platform ?

Most likely we will mount .50 caliber guns, unless we have spare 40mm Bofors guns or 25mm chain guns.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

First Steel Cutting Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV-1) Philippines
Posted by Maki Catama on 3:44 AM


Export Warship First Coordinating Minister for maritime, Indroyono Susilo (middle), lifting steel plate joint Managing Director of PT PAL Indonesia, M Firmansyah Arifin (second right), Philippine Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan (second left) and Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral TNI Associate Ade Supandi (left), while the First Steel Cutting Ceremony Strategic Sealift Vessel-1 (SSV-1).

SURABAYA, -- PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) started to initiate the process of production of warships to be exported to the Philippines to meet the country's Ministry of Defense orders two units Strategic Sealift Vessel-1 (SSV). Director of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero), M Firman, said the effort is an achievement and a challenge for the company's shipyard in producing SSV order of the country.

Factors, the fleet is one of the orders of defense equipment industry products Matra first Sea. "The investment value for the two warships reached worth 90 million US dollars," he said, met at Cutting Plates First (First Steel Cutting) SSV, in Surabaya on Thursday.

The production was, he explained, is done after the selection beyond strict international auction and length. The warship has a size of 123 meters and a width of 21.8 meters. "The plan there are as many as 121 crew to carry 500 troops," he said. He added that the ship has a maximum speed reached 16 knots with engine capacity of 2 x 2,920 kW.

"Ships with the carrier type with a capacity of 10,300 tons with a draft of six feet, "he said. He said the ship was also able to carry as many as four tanks, four trucks, a mobile hospital, two jeeps, and two helicopters. In general, with a wide range of experience possessed in building various kinds and types of warships that have been operating well used the Navy, Customs and Police, the ship will be equipped with more sophisticated equipment and weaponry.

"It can even accommodate the interests of the customer both the ocean as well as international waters including coordination both in military and non-military operations, "he said. Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for maritime, Indroyono Susilo, said, SSV was a development on the design and technology of ship types Landing Platform Dock (LPD) that have been submitted by PAL to the Navy in 2011.

"A total of two units which have been operating LPD is KRI Banda Aceh (593) and is now actively evaluating QZ8501 AirAsia plane victims. There is also KRI Banjarmasin (592) demonstrated to the Navy Philippines and help the mission of liberation piracy pirates in Somalia and cultural missions to various countries, "he said. At the same occasion, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Navy, VADM Jesus C. Millan, expect, project conducted in cooperation with PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) it is a contract to equip warships which has existed.

This will assist the Government of the Philippines in enhancing security defense. "We believe PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) can fulfill this order well considering various experiences in producing the previous ship," he said.

Impressive ! Do you know what kinds of armament will be linked to this platform ?

No armaments will be placed on the ship. The Philippines only order the ship so they can add it later on,

 

[Fsjal]

We are not barbaric savages as you want us to be; the way you said to simply stand up against it implies that you want us to open revolt. Conflicts today are now done through information here and the best way is through the Internet were the government and the oligarchy cannot control us. And even if we go out to stand up, thanks to your Tsinoy-controlled media, no one dares because they have been brainwashed!

And your line "Surprisingly, many Filipino businessmen are Tsinoy, and I don't remember hearing a successfull Filipino businessman who isn't Tsinoy" reeks of arrogance because YOUR LOT NEVER GAVE THE COMMON FILIPINO THE CHANCE! Your lot put the restriction in the economy so that only the Tsinoys would benefit. Did that restriction even did good to the country? Hell even if you remove the corruption and red tapes, it is still a crappy world because no new jobs are created and instead your lot wants common Filipinos to move out and be slaves to other country because the FDI that are supposed to come here are restricted and no jobs are created, leading many to drop out of school because they can no longer pay the tuition fees and preventing everyone to be knowledgeable and be business minded, family structure is broken and everyone becomes an a-hole while the Tsinoys are living happily ever after here and abroad.

But since you are a Tsinoy living in Australia, I really doubt you know anything about the Philippines.

It's no wonder why Rizal said the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow, because ironically one of the slaves did become the tyrants - the Tsinoy became the upper class, oligarchs and even ruling class of this country when the Philippines became independent.

tl;dr try harder m8

Calm down. All you do is whine like a keyboard warrior. You must be butthurt for not doing anything but sitting down and complain because you lack the ability to make a change.

Protip: To overthrow Tsinoy oligarchs, you must complain on the Internet

 

[Cossack25A1]

View attachment 185980
tl;dr try harder m8

Calm down. All you do is whine like a keyboard warrior. You must be butthurt for not doing anything but sitting down and complain because you lack the ability to make a change.

Protip: To overthrow Tsinoy oligarchs, you must complain on the Internet

And this coming from a Tsinoy who is outside the Philippines and doesn't know anything outside his sheltered life. Mayber you posted that picture is because YOU are the one that is affected, not me.

And no, I am not butt-hurt, I am simply telling the side of the Philippines you tend to ignore, just like the rest of the Tsinoys. And lastly, you are really implying that we should go for an open revolt for a change. Last time that happened, SHTF thanks to a Tsinoy. But you are not going to listen because for you, I am just a dumbass Filipino and you are the Tsinoy ubermensch.

Try harder making counter-insults.

On the other note...
You should be happy, at least I am not saying you are a fake Filipino, compared to the other Filipino users here.

 

[Cossack25A1]

US has lifted restrictions on military aid funds, says Philippines
By AFP | 22 Jan, 2015, 06.09PM IST


MANILA: The United States has lifted restrictions on a small portion of its military assistance to the Philippines that was withheld over human rights concerns, the foreign minister said Thursday.

The gesture affects about $15 million dollars that have been withheld over the last five years, a fraction of Washington's total military assistance to the South East Asian island.

Albert del Rosario told reporters that the aid restriction had been lifted "sometime last year", but did not explain why it had been lifted.

A day earlier, US assistant defence secretary David Shear said that the Washington had provided $300 million in military-related assistance since 2001 and would provide another $40 million in 2015 as part of America's support to modernise the poorly-equipped Philippine military, which is one of the weakest in the region.

Philippine-US defence relations have been complicated by leftist and nationalist groups who oppose the longstanding alliance and who have protested against any US military presence or assistance to the Southeast Asian nation.

Previously, human rights groups have successfully lobbied US legislators to cut military aid over the Philippine military's alleged failure to improve its human rights record.

Human rights groups have accused Philippine security agencies of committing abuses in is counter-insurgency programme against both communist and Muslim extremist insurgencies.

The Philippines and the United States signed an agreement in April to allow a bigger US military presence on Filipino territory, a deal which would see more US troops rotate through the Philippines for joint military training exercises.

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US has lifted restrictions on military aid funds, says Philippines - The Economic Times

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Strange that no one has quoted this relevant news a month ago.
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‘60-40 rule to limit PHL’s development under AEC’
by Cai Ordinario - December 21, 2014

Limitations on foreign ownership of land and mass media are among the reasons the Philippines continues to lag in the region in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI).

In the latest Economic Issue of the Day release of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), author Claudette S. Malana said lifting restrictions on foreign ownership will be necessary in order for the country to fully participate in the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Malana said limits to foreign equity in the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources; public utilities; build-operate-transfer projects, operation of deep-sea commercial vessels, land ownership, mass media, and the practice of professions have kept the country’s FDI low.

“To sustain the growth of the Philippine economy, these restrictions need to be examined and amended, as they have constrained FDI,” Malana said.

“Under the AEC, Asean companies, Filipino firms included, can own 100 percent of companies in other Asean countries and should be able to own at least 70 percent of services companies,” she added.

Malana’s data showed that the Philippines’s FDI only increased to $2.8 billion in 2012, while Singapore, was at $56.65 billion and Indonesia $19.62 billion.

It can be noted that Indonesia’s FDI level in 2001 was in the red at -$2.98 billion. The country was only able to recover in FDI in 2004, which started eight consecutive years of positive FDI inflows, allowing it to exceed the Philippines’s FDI performance starting in that year.

The country’s highest FDI level was recorded in 2006, when FDI reached $2.921 billion and, in 2007 at $2.916 billion. The lowest FDI level was recorded in 2001 at $195 million and in 2003, $491 million.

“They [East Asian nations] did impose specific restrictions on foreign capital as they saw it fit for their national interests; but they had the essential flexibility to make adjustments in these provisions,” Malana said.

“For the country to catch up and compete with its neighbors in the high-growth regions of East Asia and Southeast Asia, it is crucial to amend the economic provisions that have caused binding constraints to the growth and productivity of the economy,” she added.

The latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the total approved foreign investments in the nine months of 2014 declined 35.4 percent.

Total approved foreign investments amounted to P91.8 billion in the January-to-September period of 2014, from P142.1 billion in the same period in 2013.

The total approved foreign investments contracted 44.4 percent in the third quarter to P18.3 billion in 2014, from P32.9 billion in 2013.

These investments include those that are coursed through the Board of Investments, Clark Development Corp., Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, as well as the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Board of Investment-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

In terms of total approved investments of foreign and Filipino nationals, the PSA said it also contracted 15.7 percent in the third quarter of 2014.

Total approved investments of foreign and Filipino nationals only reached P159.6 billion during the period, lower than the P189.3 billion recorded in the same quarter in 2013.

The PSA explained that foreign investments, approved and registered by the investment promotion agencies, are termed “approved foreign investments,” replacing the term “approved foreign direct investments” used in the previous reports.

This is to distinguish the approved foreign investments, which are only commitments and pledges, from the actual FDI, which are actual investments being released in the Balance of Payments by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

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http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/60-40-rule-to-limit-phls-development-under-aec/

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[baukiki88]

Besides 2 SSV, I think Philippine Navy need at least 10 of this KCR40 (Fast missile vessels). It is fast for maritime petrol and It can carries 2 deadly SSM / antiship missiles like (ie exocet or C705) and six-barrelled Ak 630 30mm CIWS.

It is also equipped with Sensor weapon control , TR-47C tracking radar and SR-47AG searching radar.


illegal fishing boats, Pirates and even chinese coast guards in spratlys area will think twice. It is cheap. Only cost +/- $10 million per ship.

 

[Cossack25A1]

Shimano opens facility in Batangas
January 25, 2015

Bicycle and parts manufacturer Shimano Inc. has opened a Philippine manufacturing facility within Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) in Santo Tomas, Batangas.

The establishment of Shimano’s production operation in the Philippines came just weeks after the European Parliament voted in favor of the European Commission’s proposal to include the Philippines in the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) program. Developing countries that enjoy a GSP status enjoy lower export duties.

Shimano, through Shimano Philippines Inc., allocated ¥3.5 billion (about P1.32 billion) to build its facility within a 13.03-hectare area in FPIP’s 442-hectare economic zone. The Shimano Philippines facility, the Japanese firm’s first in the country, will manufacture various bicycle components mainly for the export market. Once in full operation, the facility will employ 1,000 workers.

Shimano Philippines formally inaugurated its factory on Jan. 9, 2015 – just weeks after the GSP+ status of the Philippines took effect Dec. 25, 2014 following the European Parliament’s favorable vote. “The GSP+ status will present the “Made in the Philippines” products a competitive edge,” Bike Europe said.

Bike Europe explained that the Philippines already benefits from the standard GSP scheme. In the standard GSP scheme, exports from the Philippines to the EU are taxed at 10.5 percent, versus 14 percent for those from countries not included in the regime.

“In recent years bicycle export from the Philippines to the EU markets was already growing rapidly. In the first six months of 2014 it expanded by 28 percent from 338,000 units in the same period in 2013 to 433,000 this year [2014]. GPS+ will also have a very positive effect on the bicycle producers in the Philippines,” Bike Europe pointed out.

Aside from the EU, Shimano is also eyeing a bigger share of the market in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). “The Japanese bicycle component market leader says it eyes the growth in demand from the BRICS countries, where the rising living standards results in greater disposable income. According to Shimano these markets are ripe for entry-level components for sports bicycles,” the website added.

Established in 1921 in Sakai City, Osaka, Japan, Shimano now operates over 40 factories and sales offices with close to 13,000 employees in more than 20 countries. As of Sept. 30, 2014, its net sales amounted to ¥241 billion (about P91 billion), while net income reached ¥34.67 billion (Ph3 billion).

Shimano is part of a growing list of FPIP locators, including B/E Aerospace, Brother, Canon, Honda, Ibiden, Murata, Nestlé, Philip Morris, and Sunpower.

FPIP is a 70-30 joint venture between First Philippine Holdings Corporation, a holding company of the Lopez Group; and Sumitomo Corporation, one of Japan’s biggest conglomerates. Early this year, FPIP received government approval for a 92-hectare expansion to be called FPIP Special Economic Zone II.

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Shimano opens facility in Batangas | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines
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PH, Japan cite progress on auto incentives and VAT refund issues
by Bernie Magkilat
January 24, 2015

Philippines and Japan have cited encouraging progress on issues on several issues to improve business environment including auto industry incentives, refund procedures to value added taxes, import clearance certificate, power supply situation and port congestion.

In a joint statement at the conclusion of the 9th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Improvement of Business Environment convened under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA), both sides of the panel noted encouraging progress in some agenda topics.

Japanese firms have been pressing for the refunds of their value added tax. Also, Japanese automotive firms have urged government on the planned automotive industry incentives.

The sub-committee also discussed items during the previous meeting such as the harmonization of national tax incentives and local taxes, application procedures of reduced tax rates under the bilateral tax treaty, taxes on foreign maritime transport services, additional surcharges introduced by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), promotion measures for utilization of the Batangas and Subic ports and deregulation to establish the Philippines a Human Resource Development (HRD) hub.

The 9th meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Improvement of Business Environment (IBE) under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) was held Friday, 23 January 2015 in Manila. It was co-chaired by Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Kazuhide Ishikawa and Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Hon. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr.

The meeting also noted that the exceptional Philippine human resource pool has helped the overseas expansion of Japanese companies. It is expected that these positive developments will be further promoted by frequent bilateral summit meetings, Japan’s on-going cooperation in Typhoon Yolanda relief and rehabilitation, support for peace and development in Mindanao as well as other Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.

Both sides agreed to continue efforts in reducing outstanding issues before the next meeting through continuous dialogues with business communities. These dialogues are important in attracting more Japanese investments into the Philippines.

JPEPA, which entered into force in December 2008, is an important framework for enhancing economic ties between the two countries. Both sides noted that recent trade and investment figures are very encouraging and that JPEPA has sustained increased Japanese investments to the Philippines.

Results of the meeting will be reported to DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo in an appropriate timing by both sides. The next meeting of the Sub-Committee would be held later in this year.

The Sub-Committee on Improvement of Business Environment, a regular semi-annual dialogue, is an important forum for public and private sectors of both countries to discuss specific issues to ensure a transparent, predictable and consistent Philippine business environment.

Representatives from various Philippine government agencies, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) were likewise present during the meeting. The private sector was represented by Yoshio Amano, President, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. for the Japanese side and Jake Ogana, Program Officer of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) for the Philippine side.

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PH, Japan cite progress on auto incentives and VAT refund issues | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines
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House: Inclusion of Sabah will delay BBL run
by Charissa Luci
January 25, 2015

House leaders thumbed down yesterday the proposed inclusion of the controversial Sabah issue in the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), fearing this would only “complicate” and “delay” the approval of the peace measure.

Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. and Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman, vice chairman of the 75-man House adhoc panel, said the BBL and the country’s unresolved territorial claim over Sabah are two different issues that should be dealt with separately.

“The inclusion of Sabah issue in the BBL would complicate the measure and would delay its passage,” Belmonte said in an interview after Amina Rasul Bernardo, lead convenor of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID), appealed to lawmakers to ensure that the resources-rich Sabah “would not be lost just because we failed to mention it in the BBL.”

The House Chief expressed the Lower Chamber’s full support to the government’s longstanding quest to resolve the territorial issue, noting that it was the late President Diosdado Macapagal who initiated the Philippine claim in 1961.

In 1950, Belmonte added that Congress adopted a “resolution expressing the sense of the Philippines that North Borneo belongs to the heirs of the sultan of Sulu and the ultimate sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines and authorizing the President to conduct negotiations for the restoration of such ownership and sovereign jurisdiction over said territory.”


INTERNATIONAL ISSUE

Deputy Majority Leader Sherwin Tugna of the Citizens Battle against Corruption (CIBAC) partylist agreed with his colleagues that Sabah issue “should not be included” in the BBL given Congress’ timetable to pass the measure within the first quarter of 2015.

“This is an international territorial issue that an internal and municipal law (BBL) has no bearing. This territorial issue should be raised in the international courts,” he said.

In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, signed a law on the country’s archipelagic baselines, which was upheld in 2011 by the Supreme Court, affirming the Philippine claim to Sabah.

The Philippine claim is based on the argument that the 1878 deed entered into by the Sultan with an Austrian named Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and an Englishman named Alfred Dent was a lease agreement. Malaysia, however, is of the belief that it was a treaty of cession.


JOIN THE PARTYLIST

During the hearing, Rasul-Bernardo maintained that despite conflicting claims, Sabah is a “historical part of Sulu” and the new leadership of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (SSNB) assured it would pursue its claim through peaceful means.

The new rajah muda (crown prince), Datu Maharajah Adinda Pugdal Kiram said Sabah was given as a gift by the Sultan of Borneo to the Sultan of Sulu sultan for helping quell a rebellion.

Rasul-Bernardo also pushed for a “bigger participation” of the sultanates in the new Bangsamoro entity that will be created through the BBL.

But instead of the proposed reserved seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament, government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer encouraged Moro leaders representing the sultanates of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Sulu,Moro leaders to join the party-list system where they have a bigger chance of representation.

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House: Inclusion of Sabah will delay BBL run | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines
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Palace: Info still raw on plot to kill pope
By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)
Updated January 25, 2015 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday confirmed receiving raw information on a plot to assassinate Pope Francis during his recent five-day visit to the Philippines.

“We were able to speak to those in the security establishments on that and I was told that they were aware of that particular piece of unverified information that was passed on,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB.

“They were aware...although they did make it a point to establish that the information had no details and was unverified, but because of the situation, it was passed on anyway,” Valte said.

She said country’s security officials – on receiving the report – exercised prudence and acted accordingly to ensure the safety of Pope Francis for the duration of his state and pastoral visit from Jan. 15 to 19.

Asked whether the switching off of cellular phone signals was in response to the reported assassination plot, Valte said it was not the only reason, as the decision to require telecom firms to turn off signals was made even before the emergence of the “unverified” information.

But Valte emphasized that in preparing for an event as big as the papal visit, “you take all of the situations in consideration and you prepare accordingly.”

“We also adjust but...the plan is complete, that this is what we will do and that was precisely what was implemented by government,” she said.

“And thankfully, all of us cooperated...all those who went (to the pope’s activities) contributed to the success of the visit,” Valte said.

A former military intelligence officer claimed there were two attempts to assassinate the pope during his visit in the Philippines – one in Manila and the other in Tacloban, Leyte.

The unnamed former officer claimed that four plotters with links to Islamic militant group al-Qaeda were nearly cornered by Manila police hours before the papal mass at the Quirino Grandstand last Jan.18. The plotters, the former officer said, managed to slip away in the ensuing commotion.

A few months ago, the Iraqi government warned that terror group Islamic State wanted the pope killed, and that the threats against the leader of the more than one billion Catholics were credible.

On Thursday, Pope Francis told Italian police officers in charge of security around the Vatican that he saw “shadows and dangers” amid reports of threats to his life, but urged them not to give in to fear.

“On the horizon we see shadows and dangers which worry humanity,” the pope said in the wake of an increase in security around the Vatican amid fears Islamic State extremists may be plotting to attack the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

“As Christians we are called not to lose heart or be discouraged,” Francis said in a new year’s message to the Vatican police.


Security was tightened in Saint Peter’s Square in September after intelligence services intercepted a possible plan to attack the Vatican.

Iraq’s ambassador to the Holy See, Habib Al Sadr, at the time warned that “what has been declared by the self-declared Islamic State is clear. They want to kill the pope. The threats against the pope are credible.”

In the Philippines, a confidential memorandum was circulated to certain police stations, ordering an inventory of foreigners in their custody as part of security preparations for the pope’s visit. Citizens of an Asian country were singled out for possible terrorist links.

Thousands of police and military personnel were deployed throughout the pope’s visit, during which he declined to ride in bulletproof vehicles or wear a flak vest underneath his cassock. Cell phone signals, commonly used to set off explosives, were jammed wherever he went.


Some worry Francis has made himself a target by speaking out against the Islamic State group and having the Holy See voice support for US air strikes in Iraq.

Italy’s interior minister this month said police were on high alert in key locations across Rome and around the Vatican after the Paris attacks claimed by Yemen-based al-Qaeda. – With Jaime Laude

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Palace: Info still raw on plot to kill pope | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Philippines, Pakistan hold 4th round of policy consultations
(The Philippine Star)
Updated January 25, 2015 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The fourth round of policy consultation talks between Pakistan and the Philippines was held last Thursday in Manila.

Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry led the Pakistan delegation, while Evan Garcia, undersecretary for Policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs, led the Philippine panel.

The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan-Philippine relations. Noting the traditional warmth and cordiality of bilateral ties, they expressed satisfaction at the continued growth of mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse fields including trade, commerce, security and defense.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to further intensify cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, trade, education, science and technology, civilian nuclear energy and promotion of people-to-people contacts.

Both sides also agreed on the need for greater interaction between the private sectors of the two countries.

They also discussed regional issues and matters pertaining to cooperation at multilateral forums, including inter-faith dialogue.

Pakistan reaffirmed its desire for an enhanced partnership with ASEAN.

The Philippine side gave an overview of regional issues in Southeast Asia, while the Pakistan side discussed the situation in South Asia, the monumental efforts made in countering terrorism as well as Pakistan’s efforts aimed at ensuring peace in the region.

The Pakistan delegation expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to them during their stay in the Philippines.

Foreign Secretary Chaudhry later called on Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario.

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Philippines, Pakistan hold 4th round of policy consultations | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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[Ayan81]

New build EADS CASA C-295 Medium Lift Transport Aircraft for the Philippine Air Force undergoing test flight in Spain

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Army to get 23 Humvee ambulances

The Philippine Army will formally receive tomorrow Humvee ambulances to enhance its medical emergency responsiveness and efficiency, leading to a higher survivability rate among combat casualties.

A blessing and turn-over ceremony for the 23 units M1152 high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) / (Humvee) will be held at Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., with Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin as the guest of honor and speaker.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel J. Detoyato said that the military ambulances they will receive next week are part of the 30 units M1152 HMMWV procured under the Philippine Defense Reform Program to enhance the Forward Health Service Support System of the Philippine Army. The remaining seven units are expected to be delivered in February.

Detoyato said each ambulance is equipped with a life support system including oxygen tank, suction system, upper litter rack, sliding/stowing attendant seat, first aid kit, tools and manuals, among others which can provide immediate medical response to wounded troops prior to their transfer to medical facilities.

“The procurement of these new ambulances will improve the medical care capability in the Army, particularly in the frontline units, leading to a higher survivability rate among combat casualties,” Detoyato said.

The blessing and turn-over ceremony will be witnessed by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr.; Army Commanding General Lt Gen Hernando Iriberri; and personnel from the Department of National Defense (DND), General Headquarters, and the Philippine Army.

Army to get 23 Humvee ambulances | Manila Bulletin | Latest Breaking News | News Philippines

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BRP Ramon Alcaraz now fitted with Bushmaster

Photos taken from Maxdefense.