South China/West Philippine Sea

[Bugatti Veyron]

True, for example, the rut we are in with the West Philippine Sea issue is not due to legalities or technicalities, but simply our incapability to enforce our interests, which are in accordance with international law. Lack of foresight, and an over exaggerated response to an exaggerated insurgency problem, plus corruption,plus "pagbabaleng wala", has virtually emasculated our AFP and Coast Guard from doing its duty of protecting us against foreign enemies. Ngayon, anything the government does will be nothing more than "too little, too late". Problem has grown to big for the country to handle, kahit sino pang presidente ilagay mo dyan.

Well let's just hope it isn't too late. We need a president who knows how the Chinese think and knows what strategy/psychology to use to pacify them without giving up the interests of the Philippines. In short, we need someone with extremely adept diplomatic skills. Pnoy simply does not fit the bill.

[sonnyt111]

True, for example, the rut we are in with the West Philippine Sea issue is not due to legalities or technicalities, but simply our incapability to enforce our interests, which are in accordance with international law. Lack of foresight, and an over exaggerated response to an exaggerated insurgency problem, plus corruption,plus "pagbabaleng wala", has virtually emasculated our AFP and Coast Guard from doing its duty of protecting us against foreign enemies. Ngayon, anything the government does will be nothing more than "too little, too late". Problem has grown to big for the country to handle, kahit sino pang presidente ilagay mo dyan.

It's good to see you're still at it Mr. 24 hr sleep proof owl!! He he he. Just kidding. You're right about the lack of foresight and corruption which have seriously undermined the ability of the Armed Forces to deal with the current situation in the South China/West Philippine Sea.

 

Hope all is not lost and that there's still time to find a solution to the rut we are in. In the meantime, try to get some sleep

[maxiev]

Seems Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has hinted that BFAR/Coast guard personnel who shot up the Taiwanese boat are going to be charged both criminally and administratively. She stopped short by saying she wants Pnoy to make the formal announcement.

Edited June 13, 2013 by maxiev

[maxiev]

Bat kakasuhan? San ba exactly nagkamali? Mahirap kasi dito double edge sword. Kung nagkamali sa rules of engagement, dapat parusahan. Kaso pag pinarusahan mo, baka naman maging masyadong timid ang PCG sa next time naman. Nakaka demoralize yan ah.

I'm afraid I missed watching the news this evening. But I guess you're right. Next time something like this happens, the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources may hesitate to do their job even if they're in the right. I mean why risk losing their job or even worse when they can choose to not do their job. Nobody will be any wiser that they did not do their job. But if they did their job they'd be putting their necks on the chopping block especially if their own government does not support them.

Edited June 14, 2013 by maxiev

[oscartamaguchiblackface]

I'm afraid I missed watching the news this evening. But I guess you're right. Next time something like this happens, the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources may hesitate to do their job even if they're in the right. I mean why risk losing their job or even worse when they can choose to not do their job. Nobody will be any wiser that they did not do their job. But if they did their job they'd be putting their necks on the chopping block especially if their own government does not support them.

So punishing the PCG ad BFAR personnel for this tragic event may backfire on the government. A demoralized border patrol is going to invite more interlopers who will take advantage of this fact.

[heatseeker0714]

Bat kakasuhan? San ba exactly nagkamali? Mahirap kasi dito double edge sword. Kung nagkamali sa rules of engagement, dapat parusahan. Kaso pag pinarusahan mo, baka naman maging masyadong timid ang PCG sa next time naman. Nakaka demoralize yan ah.

 

Homicide daw... Excessive force daw...

 

"baka naman maging masyadong timid ang PCG sa next time naman. Nakaka demoralize yan ah." - yun lang... lalo na pag si De Lima ang SOJ... Deep within pula yan... Ang ingay pa, panay press-con pag myembro ng uniformed services ang sangkot... for all i know sya din yung source ng mga "Leaks" sa NBI... Ahensya nya yon eh...

[heatseeker0714]

De Lima was a former chairperson ng Commission of Human Rights? Tama ba?

 

Yup... Relative also of Joma's wife....

[oscartamaguchiblackface]

Yup... Relative also of Joma's wife....

So she's left leaning but managed to make Justice Secretary....hmm....what is the view of the military regarding the Pnoy Administration in general and Leila de Lima in particular?

[heatseeker0714]

So she's left leaning but managed to make Justice Secretary....hmm....what is the view of the military regarding the Pnoy Administration in general and Leila de Lima in particular?

 

I can't speak for the boys and girls in blue and green... BUt from what i gather from the usap-usapan at the Family Sunday Lunches, she's tolerated kase she never held a gun against the State naman... Also the Akbayan peeps, some of whose members altough they carried arms against the state, laid them down, joined the mainstream, renounced violence and the Nice People Around, helped thier members join society in a productive manner and continued their struggle in the one place that matters... In Congress....

 

With regard to the D.O.M. who currently lives in Bahay Pag-asa, he's earned the rank & file's and the Brass' respect because of his genuine concern for them... He's releasing money left and right to the boys and girls because he really wants an upgraded AFP... And he doesn't owe the AFP sh.!t..... Unlike the kapampangan klepto who released money to the Brass not for the AFP's benefit, but for her benefit coz she owes the Brass of the AFP during those years big time....

 

Ang masakit lang dito, even if you were a real performer during the years 2001-2010 BUT you were identified with the midget, frozen ang career mo.... 2 lang naman kase karamihan ng mga taong nakapwesto dati sa AFP nung panahon ni fat mike.... Yung mga aso nyang magnanakaw din, saka yung mga performer din na they can't afford to ignore kase it will cause resentment among the ranks kung lahat ng nakapwesto eh bata ni fat mike.... That's why they have to sprinkle a few performers around... To appease the troops...

 

Yun nga lang, yung D.O.M. saka yung Boltahe ng kuryente nyang SecDef ngayon, cannot distinguish between the 2... Sa mata nila, pag nakapwesto ka dati, matic magnanakaw ka...

 

Also doble malas nung officer pag Marines, Navy or Air Force sya.... Si Boltahe kasi masyadong biased sa Army.... A few Army guys who belonged to the performer group during the midgets time have been appointed in meaningful posts these past year.... Pero the other 3 groups... Well, good luck na lang sa kanila....

[sonnyt111]

I can't speak for the boys and girls in blue and green... BUt from what i gather from the usap-usapan at the Family Sunday Lunches, she's tolerated kase she never held a gun against the State naman... Also the Akbayan peeps, some of whose members altough they carried arms against the state, laid them down, joined the mainstream, renounced violence and the Nice People Around, helped thier members join society in a productive manner and continued their struggle in the one place that matters... In Congress....

 

With regard to the D.O.M. who currently lives in Bahay Pag-asa, he's earned the rank & file's and the Brass' respect because of his genuine concern for them... He's releasing money left and right to the boys and girls because he really wants an upgraded AFP... And he doesn't owe the AFP sh.!t..... Unlike the kapampangan klepto who released money to the Brass not for the AFP's benefit, but for her benefit coz she owes the Brass of the AFP during those years big time....

 

Ang masakit lang dito, even if you were a real performer during the years 2001-2010 BUT you were identified with the midget, frozen ang career mo.... 2 lang naman kase karamihan ng mga taong nakapwesto dati sa AFP nung panahon ni fat mike.... Yung mga aso nyang magnanakaw din, saka yung mga performer din na they can't afford to ignore kase it will cause resentment among the ranks kung lahat ng nakapwesto eh bata ni fat mike.... That's why they have to sprinkle a few performers around... To appease the troops...

 

Yun nga lang, yung D.O.M. saka yung Boltahe ng kuryente nyang SecDef ngayon, cannot distinguish between the 2... Sa mata nila, pag nakapwesto ka dati, matic magnanakaw ka...

 

Also doble malas nung officer pag Marines, Navy or Air Force sya.... Si Boltahe kasi masyadong biased sa Army.... A few Army guys who belonged to the performer group during the midgets time have been appointed in meaningful posts these past year.... Pero the other 3 groups... Well, good luck na lang sa kanila....

Heatseeker, just one point of clarification. The D.O.M. you are referring to is the current AFP Chief of Staff, ETB? Both he and Secretary of Defense VG are from the army, hence the bias for the few Army guys from the performer group who got meaningful posts this past year despite serving during the "midget's" time.

 

Still I find it unfair to judge the officers who served under the midget's time as being labeled magnanakaws across the board. Can't these men distinguish who the real perfomers were from the period 2001-2010 from the fat cats?

[Bugatti Veyron]

Heatseeker, just one point of clarification. The D.O.M. you are referring to is the current AFP Chief of Staff, ETB? Both he and Secretary of Defense VG are from the army, hence the bias for the few Army guys from the performer group who got meaningful posts this past year despite serving during the "midget's" time.

 

Still I find it unfair to judge the officers who served under the midget's time as being labeled magnanakaws across the board. Can't these men distinguish who the real perfomers were from the period 2001-2010 from the fat cats?

I don't think the question here is whether these two men cannot tell the difference between real perfomers and magnanakaws. The question is whether they were ordered not to promote officers who are not known personally by the commander-in-chief, the assumption being that the careers of these performing officers prospered under the klepto-president. But as heatseeker mentioned, these "sprinkling" of performing career officers who were promoted during her term as president was done to prevent demoralization within the ranks. Since PNoy does not personally know the backgrounds of these performing career officers, he wants to play it safe by assuming they were promoted because they played ball with the midget.

 

And the chief of staff (assuming that's who D.O.M. is) and Voltaire Gazmin may also not be aware of the backgrounds of these performing career officers. Hence, they cannot endorse their promotions to the president.

[heatseeker0714]

Sorry gents.... Bahay Pangarap pala, not Bahay Pag-asa.... While posting kase was reading the newspaper about Pagasa.... The current resident of Bahay Pangarap is the D.O.M. In question... Yung tao nyang Bolta-boltahe is SND Volts Gazmin....

[heatseeker0714]

“To illustrate hypothetically, if we were tasked to counter challenges in the South China sea, such as to bolster the defense of Ayungin Shoal, also known internationally as Second Thomas Reef, with one of our treaty allies, the Philippines, the U.S. has several options, but not all are efficient or even timely. We could use USAF assets, such as B-2 bombers or B-52 aircraft from Guam, or Navy surface or subsurface assets that are patrolling in the South China Sea, but the location of those assets may not provide timely arrival on station.

 

“But using the Osprey, we can fly down quickly from Okinawa with a platoon of well-trained Marines or Special Operations Forces (SOF) forces, land on difficult terrain or shipping, and perform whatever task that may be required in not only a timely but efficient manner.”

 

Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling

MARFORCPAC

[jacuzzi]

Heatseeker, just one point of clarification. The D.O.M. you are referring to is the current AFP Chief of Staff, ETB? Both he and Secretary of Defense VG are from the army, hence the bias for the few Army guys from the performer group who got meaningful posts this past year despite serving during the "midget's" time.

 

Still I find it unfair to judge the officers who served under the midget's time as being labeled magnanakaws across the board. Can't these men distinguish who the real perfomers were from the period 2001-2010 from the fat cats?

 

The MOU is the real culprit here. Why even involve the military when the effort was not even to protect our territory or for national defense? The civilian Taiwanese vessel did not even have firearms on board and it is not as if we are being invaded that the military must be summoned. Whoever shot the Taiwanese fishing vessel did it in a police capacity to implement fishery policies of the DENR. But the aftermath of the crisis shows the lack of experience and preparatory training of the people involved. This incident DEMORALIZED the Filipino community, reason why the markets plummeted and the peso dived.The policy maker of the MOU is the real culprit in this case. The demoralization costs BILLIONS of pesos in market value and the unaccounted loss of confidence to this government made silly by proud statements leaked to this forum by heatseeker.

 

 

[oscartamaguchiblackface]

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin admits the Philippines needs the US and other allies to ward off increasing Chinese aggression. Check out the story here:

 

http://ph.news.yahoo...-163745294.html

Edited July 1, 2013 by oscartamaguchiblackface

[heatseeker0714]

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin admits the Philippines needs the US and other allies to ward off increasing Chinese aggression. Check out the story here:

 

http://ph.news.yahoo...-163745294.html

 

Nakita ko pa lang kung sino Author di ko na inabsorb.... binasa ko na lang for entertainment purposes... :rolleyes:

[heatseeker0714]

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/437659/afp-eyes-upgrading-facilities

 

Upgrading of AFP facilities eyed

By Frances Mangosing

INQUIRER.net

3:09 pm | Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013

 

 

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/437659/afp-eyes-upgrading-facilities#ixzz2Xy1NZDd2

Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

 

MANILA, Philippines – The government is looking into upgrading some of its facilities as it makes way for the assets it will acquire using the P75-billion worth of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization funds.

 

Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo of finance, munitions, installations and materiel did not elaborate but said in a press briefing on Wednesday that a portion of the modernization funds are for upgrading facilities that will host the delivered equipment, which will include hangars and berthing facilities.

 

Good omen... Means to say that in a couple of years, padating na sila...

 

 

and sana sila....

 

 

one thing we should keep an eye on that i've learned when it comes to government announcements, hanggat hindi inaayos yung SUPPORT facilities that will house said items, chances are mga drawing lang yon....

 

Now with this news....

[sonnyt111]

http://newsinfo.inqu...ding-facilities

 

Upgrading of AFP facilities eyed

By Frances Mangosing

INQUIRER.net

3:09 pm | Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013

 

 

Read more: http://newsinfo.inqu...s#ixzz2Xy1NZDd2

Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

 

MANILA, Philippines – The government is looking into upgrading some of its facilities as it makes way for the assets it will acquire using the P75-billion worth of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Modernization funds.

 

Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo of finance, munitions, installations and materiel did not elaborate but said in a press briefing on Wednesday that a portion of the modernization funds are for upgrading facilities that will host the delivered equipment, which will include hangars and berthing facilities.

 

Good omen... Means to say that in a couple of years, padating na sila...

 

 

and sana sila....

 

 

one thing we should keep an eye on that i've learned when it comes to government announcements, hanggat hindi inaayos yung SUPPORT facilities that will house said items, chances are mga drawing lang yon....

 

Now with this news....

Has this type of aircraft ever been used in any type of air combat anywhere in the world? If so, against what type of aircraft were these used? Also how well did these Korean-made aircraft fare against the other aircraft?

[heatseeker0714]

Has this type of aircraft ever been used in any type of air combat anywhere in the world? If so, against what type of aircraft were these used? Also how well did these Korean-made aircraft fare against the other aircraft?

 

Di pa... Only time will tell on how they'll stack up against other aircraft... But let's all remember that the FA-50's not a true blue MRF but a Lead in Fighter TRAINER with Light Fighter/Attack Capability... Not the other way around...

[maxiev]

Di pa... Only time will tell on how they'll stack up against other aircraft... But let's all remember that the FA-50's not a true blue MRF but a Lead in Fighter TRAINER with Light Fighter/Attack Capability... Not the other way around...

Is there an option to purchase flight simulators to reduce training costs?

[maxiev]

Di pa... Only time will tell on how they'll stack up against other aircraft... But let's all remember that the FA-50's not a true blue MRF but a Lead in Fighter TRAINER with Light Fighter/Attack Capability... Not the other way around...

So these fighter/attack planes do not have a track record yet....I hope the Philippine Air Force did not make a mistake in acquiring these planes. Considering how much they probably cost the taxpayers.

[heatseeker0714]

http://www.radyonatin.com/story.php?storyid=4301

 

Maintenance crew of soon-to-be delivered AW-109 'Power' helicopters undergo training

Posted: 2013-Jun-18 | 10.55.03 UTC +0800

 

 

The maintenance crew of the soon-to-arrive AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" naval helicopters are now undergoing training in Italy.

 

"There are a series of training being held at Sesto Calende, Italy (and) these are avionics and maintenance trainings," Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said Tuesday.

 

The first batch of PN personnel who will undergo avionics training have already left last month.

 

"While those involved in aircraft maintenance have already left last week (while) the first batch of pilots will depart for Italy before the end of June," Fabic said.

 

The PN spokesperson added that these specialized trainings vary from two to four months.

 

"It is included in (acquisition) package and at no costs to the government," he stressed.

 

Fabic said that morale is pretty good at the PN and personnel selected for these training programs are very proud that they are called to serve their country anew.

 

"The PN is also very thankful to the present administration for the continued support that the Navy is receiving," the PN spokesperson emphasized.

 

The contract for the three AW-109 naval helicopters were signed last April and will be delivered this coming December.

 

These choppers are worth around P1.33 billion.

 

The AW-109 "Power" is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.

 

The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.

 

The aircraft's safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.

 

The AW-109 has established itself as the world's best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.

 

Its superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class.

 

For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.

 

The ability to operate from small ships in high seas state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship's hangar.

 

Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries. The maintenance crew of the soon-to-arrive AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" naval helicopters are now undergoing training in Italy.

 

 

 

 

Probable Philippine Navy Naval Air Group paint scheme...

Edited July 20, 2013 by heatseeker0714

[heatseeker0714]

 

US Coast Guard version and an inside look of its cockpit.... B)

[maxiev]

 

US Coast Guard version and an inside look of its cockpit.... B)

Looks really impressive.

[dungeonbaby]

From GMA News on the PCG/Taiwan fisherman's death. Emphasis mine.

 

The NBI, which released its findings nearly three months after the incident, recommended the filing of homicide charges against eight Coast Guard personnel who fired their weapons during the encounter:

 

***

 

The NBI said that in the absence of conclusive evidence to justify self-defense, the PCG personnel "presumptively violated" the rules of engagement when they fired on the Taiwanese vessel.

"The PCG personnel were no longer performing their lawful mandate when they continuously fired at the Taiwanese fishing vessel, resulting in the death of a Taiwanese fisherman which, according to jurisprudence, automatically raises the presumption of an intent to k*ll," it added.

 

In its report, the NBI said the PCG personnel fired more than 100 rounds of ammunition at the fleeing Taiwanese vessel, "inexplicably a high volume of firepower used on an unarmed fishing vessel even when expended intermittently."

 

"One PCG member fired at the Taiwanese fishing vessel despite visibility of one of its occupants outside the cabin signaling the crew of the PCG to proceed to the starboard side of the Taiwanese fishing vessel, and no one among the PCG crew prevented the shooter from doing so or showed disapproval of such action," it added.

 

"COMMANDING OFFICER DELA CRUZ and his personnel were initially motivated by a legitimate law enforcement objective to prevent the escape of a hostile watercraft. However, in the course of pursuing such a legitimate objective, their collective act of firing at the fishing boat regressed into indiscriminate firing which disregarded a primary directive in the ROE, that the use of deadly force should not be for the purpose of causing bodily harm or death, but merely to disable the hostile watercraft," the NBI noted.

 

 

Though I suspected as much (and said so) with regard to the absence of evidence (i.e. intent to ram) to justify the self-defense claim, q.v....

1. what was the provocative act made by a 15-tonne, wooden fishing boat - that probably only went at a maximum speed of 6 knots - that justified shooting?

2. is the mere "attempt to ram" (vs. actual ramming) a steel boat by a wooden boat a provocative act warranting shooting into a boat?

3. if only warning shots were fired as the coast guard first claimed was all it intended in some reports, why was the fisherman killed?

4. why did our coast guard say they were aiming for the engine when the engine is deep in the boat under water? shouldn't they have shot at the rudder instead?

5. did our coast guard chase the fishing boat for one hour? and if they did, to what end?

 

if we were smart, we would pay compensation to the fisherman's family and end the story there.

 

besides, anyone that's been out to sea knows that when you approach a fisherman's nets, he will chase you off and even appear, at times, to attempt to ram you. what most yachties don't realize is that fishing boats have the right of way in a lot of cases. they have the right of way vs vessels like a sailboat or a container ship. at the very least, extreme tolerance should have been afforded to the fishing vessel

 

"The intent to ram is not clear, given the perspective offered by the video, and the fact that such maneuver could have been intended merely to escape, but not to ram, the Philippine craft," the NBI said in its 84-page report.

 

...still...it's disappointing that homicide charges are being brought against so many men. Not sure how one is charged when there is command hierarchy, and one is merely following his commanding officer's orders.

 

As for tampering with evidence, that's just indefensible.

 

The NBI said video footage submitted for investigation by Ramirez turned out to be spliced. Ramirez said he did so on Bernabe's instructions.

 

In turn, Bernabe said dela Cruz had "ordered him to remove certain portions of the video."

 

On the other hand, Bendo was involved in another attempt to tamper with the evidence when he prepared a falsified monthly gunnery report of the PCG BFAR MCS-3001 crew.

 

"Both acts of splicing the video footage and submitting a falsified monthly gunnery report constitute the crime of obstruction of justice, for which the concerned officers and men should be held liable," the NBI said.