Puerto Princesa City and Palawan Province, and the Spratly Islands Thread [Archive]

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 06:27 AM

# The name “Palawan” – most probably - was given by the Chinese as far back as the 9th Century. They called it PA-LAO-YU, or “land of beautiful safe harbour”. Others believe it came from the Indian word “Palawans” meaning “Territory”. The popular believe is that “Palawan” is a corrupted form of the Spanish word “Para agua” because the main island’s shape resembles a closed umbrella.The limits of the Province are :

# Busuanga island in the north

# Agutaya group of islands northeast

# Cagayancillo (who has not heard about Tubattaha Reef) in the east

# Balabac island in the south

# Spratly - Kalayaan in the West

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Did you know that Palawan is made up of 1768 islands and is the second largest province of the Philippines (Cotabato is the largest) ? The length of the main island is 425km from tip to tip. The distance between extreme north and south of the island province is 650 km. The narrowest section of the main island is 8.5 km at Barrio Bahile in Puerto Princesa, the widest section is 40 km at Brooke's’Point in the south. During the drive to the Resort, which will take 90 minutes, you will see that a chain of tall mountain ranges runs through the entire length of the island, dividing it into two distinct areas called the east coast and the west coast. Princessa Holiday Resort is on the east coast facing the Sulu Sea.

Palawan Islands

Palawan is one of the Last Unexplored Islands in the Pacific, as well as the location of the 1997 James Bond thriller "Tomorrow Never Dies." Jacques Cousteau remarked that Palawan was the most beautiful place he ever explored. Renowned underwater explorer Jacques Costeau has described Palawan as having one of the most Beautiful Seascapes in the world. Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. Myriads of fish swim in these underwater gardens.

Home of Lofty Mountains, Rainforests, and the World's Longest Underground River, Palawan is nestled between Mindoro island and North Borneo. Palawan is nestled between Mindoro island and North Borneo. Palawan is the Philippine Largest Province, covering 1.5 million hectares. Palawan Rainforests extend to the Seashore... Miles upon miles of White Sandy Beaches...Crystal clear water that Abound with Multi-Colored fish and Corals in its sea floor.. Awe-Inspiring natural Scenic Wonders.. Palawan Historical and Archeological Treasures. Its Thousands of Islands and Islets are the home of various Tropical Flora, Fauna, Various Palawan Orchid species and Palawan Cherry Blossoms. Palawan is the home of Palawan Monkeys, Palawan Parrots, Palawan Bear cats, Palawan Peacock, Mongoose, Scaly AntEater, Porcupine, and mouse deer. The presence of Palawan 323 species of Wild Life in Palawan, gained the Province the title "HAVEN of the PHILIPPINE WILDLIFE".

Known the world over as the Philippines last ecological frontier, the province of Palawan harbor vast tracts of tropical rainforest and a huge expanse of marine wilderness. Thick canopies of trees carpet mountain ranges running the length of the mainland. Fringing reefs and coral atolls open a new realm to discover under the clear waters sorrounding this archipelago of more than 1,700 plus Tropical Islands. Ribbons of meandering streams and rivers wind through the mountains, nurturing robust stands of mangrove in the lowlands before flowing out to the sea.

Palawan probably has more protected areas than any other province in the Philippines. The Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary in the northern Calamianes islands is home to exotic and endemic species of animals that roam freely in its verdant hills and plains. On the northern coastline, the El Nido Marine Reserve is noted for its edible birds’ nests and limestone cliffs. In the middle of the Sulu Sea lies the Tubbataha reefs, a pair of coral atolls recently named as a World Heritage Site for its highly diverse collection of fishes and other marine life. Along the west coast, the St. Paul Subterranean National Park features old-growth forests, cathedral caves, white sand beaches, and one of the longest underground rivers in the world. In the South, Ursula Island is a haven for migratory and resident birds.

The entire province was proclaimed as Fish and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1967. Palawan is the habitat of 232 endemic species. Some of these unique creatures are the metallic-colored peacock pheasant, the shy mousedeer, the cuddly bearcat, and the reclusive scaly anteeater. In the forests and grasslands, the air resonates with the songs of more than 200 kinds of birds. Over 600 species of butterflies flutter around the mountains and fields of Palawan, attracted to some 1,500 flowering plants found here. Endangered sea turtles nest on white sand beaches, and the gentle dugong feeds on the seagrass that abound in Palawan’s Waters.

Commercial logging became a thing of the past with the cancellation of timber license agreements in 1993. That same year, the provincial government created a Bantay Palawan to assist national agencies in protecting some 325,000 hectares of primary forest. Residual and mossy forests cover an additional 26,000 hectares of Palawan’s land area.

Rocky coves and sandy beaches lie in primordial splendor along Palawan’s almost 2,000-Kilometer coastline. Renowned underwater explorer Jacques Costeau has described Palawan as having one of the most beautiful seascapes in the world. Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. Myriads of fish swim in these underwater gardens.

Outstanding geographical features dot Palawan’s landscape. On the west coast, an array of limestome cliffs extends from Tabon Caves in the south all the way to Coron Reefs in the northern Calamianes islands. Challenging peaks with mystical names like Matalingahanan, Cleopatra’s needle, and Capuas attract dozens of climbers yearly.

Climate

The east coast has 4 months of dry season with rain possibility during the other 8 months. At our place, November and December are the wettest months. The west coast has 6 months dry and 6 months wet season. The island of Palawan is mostly typhoon free, except for the northern part. The two most prevalent winds are the softer northeast monsoon which blows from October to April and the stronger northwest monsoon which blows from June to September. Sea travel between the islands is best between April to June. Then the ocean is calm and flat as a mirror.

Natural Resources

Palawan’s insular characteristics endow it with vast fishing grounds. The varieties of fish caught in commercial quantities are milkfish (bangus), eel and moray (palos, pindangga), grouper (lapu lapu, kolapu), sea bass (apahap), snapper (maya maya), surgeon fish (labahita), slipmouth (sap sap), pomfret (pampano), mackerel (tangingi), sardines (tonsoy, tamban), anchovies (dilis), yellow fin and big eyed tuna (albacore, tambacol), swordfish (malasugi), shark (pating), rays (pagi), blue crabs (alimasag), mangrove crabs (alimango), lobster (banagan), white shrimps (hipong puti), oysters (talaba), green mussels (tahong), giant clam (taklobo), squid (pusit), octopus (pugita). About 35% of the total national catch comes from Palawan.

Palawan also has rich deposits of minerals. Actual mining and exploratory operations are ongoing for nickel, mercury (the biggest deposit in South East Asia), chromite, manganese, barite, feldspar, silica, guano, limestone, marble. There are new discoveries of copper, gold, iron, asbestos, talc, quartz, clay and sulphur. In the northeast of the province – offshore – there is oil and gas.

Palawan has 52 rivers, 4 small lakes and countless small streams. The most unique amongst all these is the Princesa Underground River, emptying in St Paul’s Bay on the west coast.

Currency

Currency of the Philippines is the Peso, which is divided in 100 centavos. The biggest denomination is a note of 1000 pesos. There further notes for 500 pesos, 100 pesos, 50 pesos, 20 pesos and 10 pesos.

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 06:30 AM

Seven Great Summer Places to Travel
Park Chung-a Staff Reporter The Korea Times

Source: http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200506/kt2005063020133011000.htm

Summer vacation is an opportunity to freshen yourself up. In order to make the best of your precious holiday, it is important to choose a travel destination that fits your holiday period, budget and style. Destinations can vary depending on whether you focus on rest and relaxation, tourism or sports. Here is a summary of seven recommended summer resort places around the world. Below is detailed information, including the official websites of each country＊s tourism commission or tourism office.

(1) Hawaii, an island of romance

Hawaii is the world＊s most romantic island. Needless to say, it has long been a paradise for honeymooning couples. With a rich natural environment, Hawaiians＊ Aloha spirit, tradition and long cultural history, it is still as popular as ever. Hawaii is a volcanic landmass, 8 hours from Korea by plane, and is composed of eight large islands and about 100 small islands. You can experience various temperatures, altitudes and weather conditions. Though a tropical paradise, Big Island even offers vacationers the chance to ski. Hawaii is one of a very few places on Earth taht allows you to ski on a ridge of large dormant volcano early in the morning and enjoy swimming on the warm Pacific coast in the afternoon. A five day-four night tour package including airfare and hotel costs around 2.2 to 2.4 million won. www.gohawaii.or.kr or (02)777-0033

(2) ``Pearl of the Orient,＊＊ Shanghai

Shanghai offers many things to see, including beautiful nightscapes, elegant buildings from its colonial period, and the traditional gardens of China. Standing on a boat on the Huangpu River, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the river and city skyline. On the modern Pudong side of the river, the futuristic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with a height of 468 meters, stands as the world's third tallest TV tower, after the 553-meter CN Tower in Toronto and the 535-meter Moscow TV Tower. Because of its brightly illuminated skyscrapers, Shanghai enjoys international fame as the ``Pearl of the Orient.＊＊ Shanghai is also a great destination for shoppers, and the best-known shopping street in China _ Nanjing Road _ is located here. Roundtrip plane tickets cost around 400,000 to 500,000 won. Airtel, including airfare and hotel, is around 600,000 to 800,000 won. Tour packages cost around 400,000 to 600,000 won. www.cnta.com/lyen or (02) 773-0393

(3) Sublime Canadian Rockies

Canada's Rocky Mountains Canada has 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and five of them are in the province of Alberta. There you can enjoy cool summer days and see fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains; five national parks together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Canadian Rockies consist of the northernmost and most beautiful section of the North American Rocky Mountain range. The terrain forms the most rugged mountains in North America outside of Alaska and the Northern Territories. Korean Air, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines offer round trips to Vancouver. The trip costs about 1.3 to 1.9 million won. The average price of a three-star hotel is 150,000 won per night.
www.travelcanada.or.kr or (02) 733-7790

(4) Singapore, where East meets West

Singapore＊s Merlion Park From the purest forms of nature, free from pollution and urban overgrowth, to the most up-to-date theme parks, Singapore offers diverse festivals and events throughout the year. The streets are full of the vigorous energy of youth. One of the good things about a trip to Singapore is that you can travel the country with just a tourist guide and a map without much difficulty. Must-see sites include Sentosa Island, the Singapore Zoo, Merlion Park, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines offer four to six nonstop flights a day. Round trip fees in high season cost around 500,000 to 700,000 won. Airtel, including airfare and hotel, is around 600,000 to 800,000 won. Tour packages are about 400,000 to 800,000 won. www.visitsingapore.or.kr or (02) 399-5570

(5) Cote D＊Azur, southern France

The Cote D＊Azur in southern France faces the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful cities such as Cannes, renowned for its international film festival, and the resort city of Nice are situated here. Thanks to warm whether throughout the year, people keep returning to rest and travel. Around the frontier, which faces Italy, is a small village called Menton, which has a unique landscape. Korean Air and Air France fly from Seoul to Paris twice a day at 10: 25 a.m. and 1: 55 p.m. You can take a Nice-bound domestic flight from Charles De Gaulle International Airport in Paris and Paris Orly International Airport. If you are looking for a more romantic trip, take the night train to Nice. Round trip tickets to Nice from Seoul cost about 1.2 to 1.9 million won. Three-star hotels cost about 100,000 won on average. kr.franceguide.com or (02)776-9142

(6) Chile, land of icebergs and deserts

Chile is a country of startling contrasts and extreme beauty, with attractions such as the towering volcanic peaks of the Andes to the ancient forests of the Lake District. There are a multitude of very good parks here, and plenty of opportunities for fine adventure travel. Chile is justly famous as the location of Torres del Paine, considered by many to be the finest nature travel destinations in all of South America. As there are no nonstop flights from Korea, you can get there via Europe or the United States. In Korea, there is currently no tour package just for Chile, but those including Chile along with Brazil and Argentina are available. The cost is about 5 to 7 million won. www.segegob.cl

(7) Palawan of the Philippines

Palawan, an island province southwest of Metro Manila, is revered as one of the Philippines' and Asia 's most haunting and final frontiers. Palawan, the country's last environmental frontier, is blessed with 1780 islands and islets, most of which have irregular coastlines that make excellent harbors. Thick forests covering these steepIy sloped mountains assure adequate watersheds for rivers and streams. Palawan is surrounded by a coral shelf abound with varied and colorful marine life, hence the island province has been declared a nature sanctuary. The province boasts extraordinary scenic wonders like El Nido, St. Paul Underground River, Tabon Caves and Honda Bay Islands. Flights cost about 400,000 to 500,000 won.

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 06:31 AM

Palawan's 2nd Airport

According to a reliable source, Governor Reyes of Palawan has set 40-million peso fund to start work on Palawan's 2nd international airport to rise in the tourist town of Coron in Northern Palawan. Said project is expected to further boost the economy of Northern Palawan and in particular, the tourism industry as well as other commercial activities of Coron.

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 06:35 AM

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Location

Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Central Palawan

Resort Information

Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort is nestled in the tropical waters of Honda Bay, northeast from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. A quiet hideaway amidst pristine natural surroundings in the Philippines' last frontier, we offer comfortable and modern facilities while providing you with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the wonders of nature.

Of the island's 20-hectare total land area, 60,000 sq. m. are fully developed with rest and recreation facilities. On one edge of Dos Palmas is a 3-hectare mangrove.

Our extensive recreational facilites are available to help you in your pursuit of leisure. We have basketball, tennis, beach volleyball, badminton, billiards,and many more. For some water adventure, our marine sports center offers scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, island hopping and fishing. Rejuvenate both body and mind with an aromatic body massage, milk bath or foot spa treatment at our Tropical Spa. Or you can unwind in one of our Bay or Garden cottages.

So whether you derive a natural high from engaging in your favorite sport, communing with nature, or simply basking in the sun and fresh air, Dos Palmas Arreceffi surely has something to make your vacation memorable.

Getting There

We literally go great distances to make sure that your journey to Dos Palmas Arreceffi is as hassle-free and exciting as possible.

Puerto Princesa is a quick 1-hour and 15-minute flight from Manila, the nation’s capital. Several domestic airlines ply the Puerto Princesa-Manila route.

After touchdown at the Puerto Princesa airport, hop into one of our air-conditioned vans waiting for you. From there, the Sta. Lourdes Wharf is a 25-minute drive away.

The private Dos Palmas Arreceffi boat will then take you from the Sta. Lourdes Wharf to an exhilarating cruise through the breathtaking Honda Bay. And in less than an hour, you will be in the enchanting world of Dos Palmas Arreceffi!

Accomodation

Bay Cottages

For full appreciation of the scenery, DPAIR created 10 Bay Cottages standing on reinforced stilts above water so guests may enjoy the beautiful Palawan sunrise and sunsets,.the panoramic view of Honda Bay and living close to the fishes that have made the island popular to local and foreign tourists. Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort is also famous for the preservation of its lush mangroves.

Garden Cottages

If you’d prefer to spend the night over dry land, chose one of 38 homey Garden Cottages fronting the beach.

A Bay Cottage could accommodate two adults and one child while a Garden Cottage is spacious enough for five adults. All cottages have private balconies; air conditioning; toilet and bath; hot and cold running water; a mini bar; and an intercom phone with NDD/IDD.

Facilities

Restaurants and Bars

Although fresh seafood from the waters of Palawan are easily the most popular items on the buffet table, the kitchen staff, our in-house Chef, is equally adept at whipping up other dishes to suit both local and international tastes.

Our different dining venues are designed to make meals satisfying to all the senses. Kara-e-nan restaurant, which can seat up to 200 people, is the main dining venue. But if you want to add even more spice to your meals, you could have breakfast or lunch at one of our huts on stilts right in the middle of the sea! For al fresco dining, our special dinner buffet is served in a different part of the resort every night. Kara-e-nan’s bar, Ereneman, is an ideal hangout for wines and spirits once the sun sets.

Water Sports

Find out for yourself why Palawan’s marine life has gained world renown; go diving and explore the numerous reefs a few minutes away from the resort by speedboat.

The resort’s Marine Sports Center has a complete line of equipment and facilities for diving, snorkeling, and other water sports. Guests without C-cards or proof of certification may take the Introductory Dive course. Full PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) diving courses are also available.

Land Activities

At Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort, you will never run out of things to do-even when you need a break from all that frolicking in the water.

Polish your jump shot on the basketball court; block a spike on the beach volleyball court; perfect that serve on the tennis court; or score a goal on the beach soccer field.

The fun need not stop when darkness falls. The Karawatan Recreation Center on the north side of the island is a cluster of huts with indoor facilities for billiards, table tennis, and darts. There is also a bar and a videoke lounge at Karawatan.

Don't feel like moving a muscle? The Tropical Spa offers complete massage and rejuvenating services. Try out the spa's relaxation treatments using natural oils and essences for aromatherapy, body massage, body scrubs, milk baths, aromatic facials, smoothies, and foot spa.Don't feel like moving a muscle? The Tropical Spa offers complete massage and rejuvenating services. Try out the spa's relaxation treatments using natural oils and essences for aromatherapy, body massage, body scrubs, milk baths, aromatic facials, smoothies, and foot spa.

Tropical Spa

Did the day’s activities wear you out? Worry not; the Tropical Spa offers complete massage and rejuvenating services. Try out the spa’s relaxation treatments using natural oils and essences for aromatherapy, body massage, body scrubs, milk baths, aromatic facials, smoothies, and foot spa.

- Body Massage
- Aromatherapy Massage
- Foot Spa
- Facial Spa
- Hair & Scalp Therapy
- Body Smoothies
- Sauna

Services

During your stay at Dos Palmas Arreceffi, we will look after even your minutest needs to ensure that you would have the time of your life. We also have the following:

* Baby sitting services
* Safety deposit box
* Laundry services
* Flight reconfirmation
* Postal services
* Internet
* Souvenir shop
* Clinic

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Matteo

March 18th, 2006, 06:41 AM

^^ that is one awesome resort.
great to hear about palawan's second airport.
good job palawan!
i remember palawan as a stop in amazing race

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 06:45 AM

More photos and info later. For now, I'm eating lunch. :eat:

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 07:04 AM

http://www.palawan.com/php_thumb/phpThumb.php?src=/home/palawan/public_html/i_resorts/el_rio/logo.jpg&w=350

Location

San Jose, Coron, Northern Palawan

Resort Information

El Rio y Mar Island Resort with its unique flora and fauna has its romantic ambiance combined with the serenity and beauty of the natural environment. The resort is set amidst 500 meters stretch of pure white-sand beach, distinctive panoramic view with enchanting mangroves and its breath-taking neighboring islands. Guests can also relax in the well-maintained swimming pool with crystal clear waters.

Create wonderful memories at El Rio y Mar Island Resort - A sanctuary for the soul, a haven for the senses!

Facilities

- Al Fresco Restaurant (Comedor) serving Asian and International Cuisine which also incorporates the Cuatro Bar
- Floating Bar
- Fresco Lounge
- Spa and Massage
- Souvenir Shop and Boutique
- Safety deposit and Guest Services
- Airline Ticket Reconfirmation
- Foreign Exchange
- Room Service
- 24 Hour Security
- 24 Hour Stand-by generator
- Swimming pool
- Gameroom
- Video and Videoke room
- Mini-library
- Aqua-sports and Dive shop
- Indoor and Outdoor Games

Trips and Tours

CORON ISLAND TOUR:
Spend a whole day exploring awe-inspiring sights of Coron Island. Visit the picture-perfect Cayangan Lake, the invigorating Maquinit Hot Springs and the quaint Coron town. Rate includes roundtrip boat and land transfers, packed lunch and services of activity officers.

ISLAND HOPPING:
Hop into our boats as we tour you to four uninhabited islands. Surely, the sights, both above and underwater, will not fail to enthrall you. Rate includes roundtrip boat transfers, snacks and services of an activity officer.

ISLAND ESCAPADE:
Spend time alone with friends and loved ones in a beautiful uninhabited island. Choose from our four romantic island destinations. Definitely not to be missed! Rate includes roundtrip boat transfers, snacks and services of an activity officer.

Accomodation

Bayview cabanas in imported Cedar and Native Wood with thatched roof, spacious verandah designed to provide guests with comfort and luxury. All cabanas are fully air-conditioned, fully stocked mini-bar, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facilities, bathroom shower and wash cabin with hot and cold water system and large verandah. Super deluxe rooms are with bathtub, TV and video facilities.

Calauit Safari Tour

Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary is a success story for every Filipino. This island is home to African animals living harmoniously in co-existence with Palawan's indigenous species. It caters for scientific, educational, tourism and recreational activities by providing enjoyment of the wilderness and opportunities for greater awareness on the importance and appreciation of conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of this beautiful area.

Calauit Island is indeed the Nation's showcase for wildlife conservation -- a perfect sanctuary because of its relative isolation; variety of wildlife habitats and tranquil scenery.

What is a Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary?

This is a natural area where the whole environment and all the plants and animals are allowed to live in a natural state with the absolute minimum of human interference or disturbance.

In order to protect your sanctuary and preserve it for future generations, certain standards of VISITOR CONDUCT are provided for in the National Integrated Protected Areas Act and the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan.

How to get there

You can reach Maricaban Bay by a 60-minute flight from Manila or via Superferry to Coron. From Busuanga Airport, you take a 30-minute jeepney ride and a 20-minute boat ride.

Rooms Available

Superior Room

Deluxe Room

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Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 07:08 AM

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Lagen Island Resort

El Nido Resorts Lagen Island is a tropical hideaway set in a cove and fringed by a lush forest. The most luxurious resort in the area, El Nido Resorts Lagen Island provides facilities and services that discerning leisure travelers require.

Miniloc Island

Set in a cove surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs is El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island. Thatched-roof cottages made from local materials, a fine white sand beach lined with coconut trees, and clear waters teeming with marine life make El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island a perfect tropical island retreat.

Getting There

The fastest and most direct way to get to El Nido is from Manila. Island Transvoyager Inc. operates daily flights to El Nido for El Nido Resorts using a 19-seater Dornier 228 aircraft. The flight takes a maximum of one hour and thirty minutes and lands directly at El Nido Airport. Flight reservations may be made through El Nido Resorts.

At El Nido Airport, guests are met by resort staff and transferred to a motorized outrigger boat for a scenic ride to the resorts. Travelling time from the El Nido Airport to El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island varies from 30 to 40 minutes and 40 to 50 minutes to El Nido Resorts Lagen Island.

Destination Info

El Nido is a municipality located at the northwestern tip of the province of Palawan, Philippines. It is 430 kilometers southwest of Manila, and 238 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan's capital. El Nido is bordered by the Linapacan Strait in the North, the Sulu Sea in the east, and the South China Sea in the west.

The Municipality of El Nido is composed of 18 barangays (villages) covering a total land area of 50,000 hectares. Its population of 27,000 people, is a mix of native Palaweños, with a heavy presence of migrants from other parts of the Philippines.

Edible-nest Swiftlets (Collocalia fuciphaga) abound in El Nido. The nests of these birds are found in the crevices of the limestone cliffs and are the main ingredient of the health enhancing bird's nest or nido soup. It is these nests that gave the place its Spanish name, El Nido.

El Nido is considered a showcase of Palawan's geology and diverse wildlife It is one of the most important sites for biological diversity in the country and has been declared by the Philippine government as a protected area.

Security Update

Inquiries concerning the peace and order situation at El Nido are received with the recent events around the globe. It is with the following information that we reassure you of your safety as you travel to El Nido and the rest of Palawan.

In charge of the overall security of Palawan is the multi-sectoral security network composed of: the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Army under the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the Philippine National Police Maritime, the Philippine Coastguard, the Provincial Government, the local government units, members of the local community, and the Palawan Tourism Council. The network spans the entire Palawan, from the northern islands in Coron/Busuanga to the southern parts of Bataraza.

In El Nido, the local security system under the Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard detachments in El Nido Town and the local government is supplemented by a security force deployed by the Philippine Government to protect the multi-billion dollar Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project located 50 kilometers west of El Nido. This special security force has under its command personnel, navy vessels, speed boats and aircraft.

On the El Nido Resorts side, the strict security system continues to be enforced at our properties in Lagen Island, Miniloc Island and the surrounding areas. We are maintaining the strong and effective unit of security personnel duly licensed by the Philippine National Police Maritime.These security personnel are professionally trained, formerly belonging to the Philippine military. They are in charge of monitoring the activities within the resort area, as well as conducting day and night patrols and surveillance activities within the resorts and nearby islands. Security personnel work in shifts, watching over resort guests and staff on a 24-hour basis. They maintain direct contact with the Philippine National Police Maritime and Philippine Coast Guard detachments in El Nido Town, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command, and other resort establishments in Palawan.

We have also fortified security measures at our airport facility in El Nido. All land and water vehicles, passengers, baggage, and packages are inspected by our security personnel before being allowed entry into the airport premises. Strict pre-check-in procedures are also being followed at the A Soriano Aviation Terminal in Pasay City.

With all these security measures in place, we are confident that El Nido and the rest of Palawan remain safe for travel.

Activities

It is the scenic landscape, crystal clear waters, and relative isolation that attracts and fascinates most travelers to El Nido. The 45 islands and islets and the surrounding sea present endless opportunities for adventure, nature appreciation, and even just simple pleasures.

Kayaking in secret lagoons, mangrove tours, snorkeling or diving with colorful tropical fishes, trekking to the peak of an island, fishing, bird watching, exploring uninhabited islands, picnic lunches or sunbathing in a white sand beach. These are just some of the activities that can be arranged by El Nido Resorts.

Rooms Available

Forest Room

Beach Front / Water Cottage

Forest Suite

Garden / Family Cottage

Water Cottage / Cliff Cottage* / Seaview Rooms*

http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/01.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/02.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/03.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/04.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/05.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/06.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/07.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/08.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/09.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/10.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/11.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/12.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/13.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/14.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/el_nido/15.jpg

ryanr

March 18th, 2006, 07:10 AM

Great quality photos:) The clear water is absolutely beautiful.

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 07:10 AM

Malapacao

http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/01.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/02.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/03.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/04.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/05.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/06.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/07.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/08.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/09.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/10.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/11.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/12.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/13.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/14.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/malapacao/15.jpg

Kaiser

March 18th, 2006, 07:16 AM

^^beautiful!

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 07:17 AM

Amanpulo

http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/01.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/02.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/03.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/04.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/05.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/06.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/07.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/08.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/09.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/10.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/11.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/12.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/13.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/14.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/15.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/16.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/17.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/18.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/19.jpg
http://www.palawan.com/i_resorts/amanpulo/20.jpg

ryanr

March 18th, 2006, 07:21 AM

How is Amanpulo doing? Do they reach high occupancy throughout the year?

Edmundtanso

March 18th, 2006, 07:38 AM

sinjin
thanks for all the work, palawan is indeed very beautiful. actually elnido was in national geographic adventure magazine and previous amazing race show...

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 07:41 AM

No prob. But I'm still looking for a source on Palawan's Safari. All I can see are the beaches only.

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 07:44 AM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/92/Taytay.JPG/800px-Taytay.JPG

The small town of Taytay used to be Palawan's capital.

Sinjin P.

March 18th, 2006, 07:50 AM

Oh here's what I was looking for:

CALAUIT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Calamian Deer
http://www.pcsd.ph/protected_areas/calamiandeer.jpg

Giraffes
http://www.pcsd.ph/protected_areas/giraffe.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit09m.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit11m.jpg

Bearcat
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit15m.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit16m.jpg

Porcupine
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit17m.jpg

Scaly Anteater
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit25m.jpg

Philippine Mouse Deer
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit23m.jpg

Sea Eagle
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit26m.jpg

Zebras
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3712/calauit20m.jpg

manileño

March 18th, 2006, 09:22 AM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/92/Taytay.JPG/800px-Taytay.JPG

The small town of Taytay used to be Palawan's capital.

beautiful village and fortress. For descriptions of this Spanish fort, see OLD SPANISH FORTS and FORTIFICATIONS thread. Northern Palawan and the Calamianes islands should really have its own international airport as this is where most of the resorts are. Thanks for the photos of La Provincia de Paragua, sinjin. :)

P MARL

March 18th, 2006, 12:55 PM

wow !:)

March 18th, 2006, 01:53 PM

wooooww meron pala zebras sa palawannnn!!!! :D di ko alam yun ahhhh

Edmundtanso

March 18th, 2006, 06:48 PM

amanpulo is so beautiful! would love to go there.......

shadow_can2003

March 19th, 2006, 08:05 AM

Shangri-la should put up also a Hotel and Resort to the Island.

shadow_can2003

March 19th, 2006, 08:06 AM

Awesome Palawan.

Sinjin P.

March 25th, 2006, 07:08 AM

http://www.palawan.com/gallery/albums/dining/0003.jpg

Sinjin P.

March 25th, 2006, 07:09 AM

http://www.palawan.com/gallery/albums/palawan_sunsets/0001.jpg

Skyblade

March 27th, 2006, 08:16 AM

Amanpulo looks simply amazing! :eek: Thanks for sharing the shots, sinjin! BTW, just in case, it'd be nice to post a link to the resorts posted and make it more convenient for any prospective visitors. :D

charitorae

March 27th, 2006, 08:38 AM

Sinjin P.

March 27th, 2006, 08:39 AM

I don't know, let's say 5 (in my opinion)

Lili

March 27th, 2006, 09:13 AM

Wow Palawan is beautiful! Just curious, how 'touristy' is Palawan? Let's say, on a scale from 1 to 10 -- 10 being very touristy, like Boracay. And 1 being not touristy at all, like my mom's hometown. Hehe. :lol:

It is not at all like Boracay because Palawan remains pristine with just the barest amenities. What you will enjoy is it's natural beauty.

MirageBistro

April 11th, 2006, 01:34 PM

Ought to revive this........
Here are some Palawan Pictures from Tommy Schultz Site: :)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/beach-camp.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/beach-night.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/beach-night.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/between-islands.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/bird-of-paradise.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/crown-of-thorns.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/el-nido-bay.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/el-nido-sunset.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/gambling.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/island-sunset.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/isl-hop-sign.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/monkey-point-vista.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/open-sea.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/quarter.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/jamesarkoss/roof-top.jpg

KiBeN

April 11th, 2006, 07:02 PM

Ang ganda talaga ng Palawan... any news sa Shangrila sa Palawan, magkakaroon nga ba talaga?

Sinjin P.

April 12th, 2006, 06:28 AM

PALAWAN

Coral Bay Horizon
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05152004.jpg

Coral Bay Mangrove Forest
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05162004.jpg

Sunset at Coron
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05172004.jpg

Treasure Island
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05182004.jpg

http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05222004.jpg

Dusk at Coron
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05192004.jpg

Coral Bay Foot Bridge
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05212004.jpg

Dawn at Coron
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05232004.jpg

Guard Dog
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05242004.jpg

A School in a Reef
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05272004.jpg

http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/002_05272004.jpg

Makanit Hot Springs
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05292004.jpg

Palawan Reef
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05302004.jpg

Dried Fish
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05252004.jpg

Sunken Galley
http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/001_05312004.jpg

http://www.mymanila.net/gallery/002_05312004.jpg

By: Peter Tongco

pau_p1

April 12th, 2006, 07:01 AM

wooooww meron pala zebras sa palawannnn!!!! :D di ko alam yun ahhhh

the zebras on Calauit island, well actually most of the safari animals on that island sanctuary were actually imported from Africa in the 70's if I'm not mistaken... I'd love to visit that island one day... :D

the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.. the longest underground river in the world..
http://www.inq7.net/archive/2006/apr/12/index_image.jpg

evangelistik

April 12th, 2006, 08:07 AM

I'm convinced...

I would like to retire in this kind of beauty in the later stages of my life.

God, if only it can stay pristine within that period of time...

rockwell baller

April 12th, 2006, 08:56 AM

before i die i hope to see PALAWAN that's one of my target sana amanpulo!! sarap dyan parang paradise! need lots of cash! hehe..

_zner_

April 12th, 2006, 02:33 PM

woah... i cant resist palawan!!

MirageBistro

April 12th, 2006, 05:03 PM

woah... i cant resist palawan!!
Thats interesting, im just going to sit and listen :)

ramvingar

April 13th, 2006, 01:36 AM

Shangri-la should put up also a Hotel and Resort to the Island.

I dunno. Im kinda hoping that only small to medium resorts like Dos Palmas and Amanpulo would be developed in Palawan to preserve its "last frontier" image. :dunno:

Goo job with this thread Sinjin! :okay: Absolutely beautiful pics. I dont know who would not be enticed to go on vacation in Palawan after seeing those pics.

amras

April 13th, 2006, 05:01 AM

ang daming pics sa first page! nagcrash ang laptop na ginagamit ko sa office... jurassic kasi.. hehe.. nice job sinjin! but I thought there is an existing Palawan thread already? or was it pruned? anyways, stilll a great thread!

i like Palawan to stay as it is, with a few developments (infrastructure-wise) here and there. the high cost of going there is also a good way of preserving the place since less people can go.

sista

April 13th, 2006, 05:39 AM

^^ I agree, buti mataas ang presyo papuntang palawan hehehe para konti lang ang dumalaw. Ako rin gusto ko makapunta ng palawan at least isang beses sa buhay ko lol

ramvingar

April 13th, 2006, 07:49 AM

OtAkAw

April 13th, 2006, 04:45 PM

^^NIce trivia there, the striking meet of two different landscapes must be apparent in Puerto Princessa...

rockwell baller

April 13th, 2006, 10:48 PM

tapos it formed a paradise! wow! this should really be protected!

palawan_buddy

May 18th, 2006, 04:36 PM

Puerto Princesa Airport:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0183.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 18th, 2006, 04:43 PM

Cong. Mitra's Residence:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0209.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0208.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0203.jpg

this large tree trunk in the centerpiece of thehouse became the center of controversy during former Speaker Mitra's bid for the presidency.. he said that it is better there in his house where people can see it rather in the forest...
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0200.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0201.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0202.jpg

the views:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0206.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0192.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 18th, 2006, 04:55 PM

Iwahig Prison in Puerto Princesa -- the prison without bars where prisoners roam around freely. and yes, it is a tourist attraction.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0186.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0184.jpg
Balsahan river located inside the prison. it is visited mostly by locals. do not be surprised if you see the prisoners around the place.. they are the ones would assist you with you needs (if you have food to cook, they can cook it for you. they are also your lifeguards if ever you drown.). but no need to be frightened by their presence coz they are courteous and respectful. they would even salute you (SOP ata yun).
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0191.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0190.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0187.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 18th, 2006, 05:00 PM

Puerto Princesa Landfill (the city is a Hall of Fame Awardee of the Cleanest and Greenest City in the country):
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0193.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 18th, 2006, 05:02 PM

Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Puerto Princesa City

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0601.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0594.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 19th, 2006, 06:06 AM

BARAGATAN 2006 will start this May 22 and will culminate on June 2. for details, just read below

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0641.jpg

every municipality and the city in Palawan will be participating. they will showcase their own products in stalls built around the provincial capitol. it a one of a kind annual festivity.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0608.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0630.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 19th, 2006, 12:31 PM

NCCC, Palawan

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0661.jpg

Alingatong

May 19th, 2006, 02:55 PM

@palawan_buddy: Nice pictures. Very refreshing. :)

I still remember, Pit Stop of Leg 12 (Amazing Race 5) was in Lagen Island, Palawan. Can you post pics of Lagen Wall. :)

palawan_buddy

May 19th, 2006, 05:23 PM

Lagen Island, El Nido (from webside: elnidoresorts.com)

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/lagen_accomodations1.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 21st, 2006, 06:14 PM

Capitol Park, Puerto Princesa

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0605.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0604.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0606.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0607.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 22nd, 2006, 06:41 PM

BARAGATAN FESTIVAL started today with a parade along Rizal Ave, Puerto Princesa

some shots i and my sis took:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0693.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0692.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0694.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0696.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0700.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0703.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0714.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0718.jpg

ramvingar

May 22nd, 2006, 06:44 PM

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0187.jpg

O my! This place looks so idyllic. Kulang nalang mga enkantada na naliligo. Hehe!
Pwedeng setting ng Lord of the Rings

palawan_buddy

May 22nd, 2006, 07:11 PM

the capitol compound was turned into this because of the festival. products of each of the municipalities in the province are either on display or for sale.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0723.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0722.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0730.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 22nd, 2006, 07:15 PM

the capitol park during the opening night of Baragatan 2006:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0725.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0727.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0740.jpg

tigidig14

May 22nd, 2006, 09:01 PM

Iwahig Prison in Puerto Princesa
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0186.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0184.jpg
WOW :eek2:

palawan_buddy

May 24th, 2006, 04:51 PM

skyscraper tirik (seaurchin,uni) - a local delicacy

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0764.jpg

palawan_buddy

May 24th, 2006, 06:06 PM

My last instalment for the meantime:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/6e287c5e.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/4e4e7aa4.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0082.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0125.jpg

next pics ill post will be pics of amanpulo. ill post it as soon as i get them.

ENJOY THE REST OF THE SUMMER.

p.s. its starting to rain almost everyday here already....

LordCarnal

May 25th, 2006, 03:39 PM

Nice photos Palawan_buddy! :) Keep them coming. :)

MAXTON

May 26th, 2006, 04:35 PM

Ganda ng natural na mga lugar sa PALWAN KAYA LUV KO TO

palawan_buddy

June 10th, 2006, 02:35 PM

AMANPULO, PALAWAN

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0930.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0896.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0843.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0823.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0826.jpg

Rodel

June 11th, 2006, 10:30 AM

Palawan is so beautiful...truly a paradise island.

guys, is it true that Palawan is now transferred to Region 6, western visayas?

palawan_buddy

June 11th, 2006, 12:27 PM

^^ nope. GMA initiated the transfer of palawan from region 4B (MIMAROPA) to region 6 in preparation for the shift to federalism. she wanted to group palawan and boracay together. But the move was scraped bec the province complained due to lack of consultation and that majority of Palawanoes does not favor it anyways. Besides, its easier for palawenoes to get to Laguna, where most of the regional offices are located, than to Iloilo.

Rodel

June 11th, 2006, 12:49 PM

Thanks palawan_buddy for your info.
it's good that palawan was not transferred and is still in region 4B.
what could be the reason of GMA why she wanted to have palawan and boracay be grouped? was it because mr abueva had made a proposal that palawan be included in western visayas in the future federal republic?
palawan-buddy, in your own opinion, where do you want palawan to be - in the future federal govt, in western visayas, southern tagalog or a separate federal state? thanks.

Rodel

June 12th, 2006, 02:14 PM

i will post some pictures of palawan. enjoy this very beautiful island.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic3.jpg

Rodel

June 12th, 2006, 02:36 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic2.jpg

palawan_buddy

June 13th, 2006, 12:43 PM

^^ @rodel, where in palawan were those pics taken?

with regards to your questions:
GMA wanted to group palawan and boracay together bec she wanted the future western visayas federal state to be the tourism-oriented state in the country. im not familiar though to the proposal of abueva regarding palawan.

imo, palawan will be better off if it becomes a separate federal state for the following reasons:
1. geographical. The province is far from laguna or iloilo or any other part of the country. Some parts of palawan, particularly the municipalities in the south and other island municipalities, are remote and cannot be easily accessed. its already a problem for the locals to get to the capital, much more to other parts of the country. Not to mention the cost it entails.
2. imo, the province is capable of sustaining itself because of its natural resources. many areas in palawan are still untapped and have a very high potential in tourism. if it becomes a federal state, bureaucratic redtape will be lessened.
3. the uniqueness of palawan requires a lot from its leaders. for the best interest of the province, its leaders should have the passion in preserving its natural resources-- something that its current leaders have (im not particularly referring to the elected ones).

------------------------------------------------------------
With regards to tourism, Palawan shouldn't be developed like Boracay. Whatever the government is implementing or planning to implement in Boracay should not be done to Palawan. But thats another story.

palawan_buddy

June 13th, 2006, 12:44 PM

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0952.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0935.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0819.jpg

ark

June 16th, 2006, 06:43 AM

welcome to region vi, palawan!

kevinb

June 16th, 2006, 07:01 AM

Palawan in a not so far Future :D

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/jafhoy/Palawan.jpg

nice coke!neat! :okay:

oz.fil

June 16th, 2006, 05:13 PM

wow! lol. palawan really is a wonder! :eek2: i wanna go there in the near future. it looks good in pics and looks even better when it was the pitstop in the amazing race! lol. philippines should really tap into the tourism industry like thailand indonesia and vietnam! if the philippines advertises palawan here in oz... there would be more aussies there in palawan then filo ppl! RP should really go into the tourism industrie! :)

vince_rilian

June 16th, 2006, 06:03 PM

as far as i know, Palawan was moved back again to Region 4-B because of opposition to the move to Region 6.... i was there when Jose De Venecia announced it to the people of puerto princessa, during the opening of the PASUC-4 Olympics (SCUAA) last Feb 2006... see, palawan still competes as a part of Region 4...

Rodel

June 16th, 2006, 06:28 PM

IMPRESARIO

June 17th, 2006, 05:26 AM

If and i say If the Charter is Changed, and we switch to a Federal Parliamentary System Palawan will still be tacked to the Western Visayas State as part of it.(The Gov't is proposing 10 States, i believe)...unless they change it again....then again the entire thing (ChaCha) might not push thru at all...

Rodel

June 19th, 2006, 03:20 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic1.jpg

vince_rilian

June 19th, 2006, 07:21 PM

Trivia about Palawan:

The northern half of Palawan is a piece of land that broke off from mainland China millions of years ago. Thus it shares a similar landscape as the famed limestone cliffs of Guillin, China. The southern part, on the other hand, broke off from Borneo and has less steep hills and mountains. The junction where these two pieces melded together is located in the vicinity of Puerto Princesa City. :)

errr. how credible is your source? if that is credible enough, then puerto princessa city sould be located in a major tectonic subsidence zone, characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanoes....

check out this tectonic model that shows no part of borneo being broken off to form palawan... http://www.gl.rhbnc.ac.uk/seasia/pubs/Hall_1997.pdf

JoeyIncali

June 19th, 2006, 08:15 PM

Rodel

June 22nd, 2006, 04:15 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic4.jpg

JAMAICUS

June 23rd, 2006, 05:48 AM

South Korea grants RP $ for airport rehab

South Korea, through its Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), granted the government $ 3 million to finance the rehabilitation of the Busuanga Airport in Coron, Palawan.

Its agreement was signed at the meeting between the Implementation Survey Team of South Korea and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) last June 19 at the DoTC main office at the Columbia Tower, Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong City.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), represented by Sungho Choi, leader of the Korean Implementation Survey Team, and the DoTC, represented by Assistant Secretary for Planning and Projects, Roberto R. Castanares, signed the pact.

DoTC Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said that the agreement demonstrates the good relationship between the Philippines and South Korea in the development of air transportation infrastructure throughout Asia.

The DoTC chief stressed that under the agreement, the DoTC, through the assistance of KOICA, will implement the rehabilitation works of various airside facilities such as concrete paving of runway, apron, stopway, and drainage system.

The project will also involve the construction of a new passenger terminal building and improvement of other landslide facilities, such as vehicular parking area, Air Transportation Office (ATO) administrative building, fire station building, and provision of new crash-fire-rescue and other maintenance vehicles.

"This undertaking will hasten the development of our air transportation infrastructure and thereby promote tourism in Palawan," said Mendoza.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN2006062367521.html

palawan_buddy

June 23rd, 2006, 10:53 AM

errr. how credible is your source? if that is credible enough, then puerto princessa city sould be located in a major tectonic subsidence zone, characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanoes....

check out this tectonic model that shows no part of borneo being broken off to form palawan... http://www.gl.rhbnc.ac.uk/seasia/pubs/Hall_1997.pdf

palawan is the only place in the philippines that does not experience earthquakes. No faultline passes through or is near any part of the province (especially the mainland). Likewise, there is no active volcano in the province nor is there any history of any volcanic activity anywhere.

palawan_buddy

June 23rd, 2006, 10:59 AM

About the Busuanga Airport, that area is now poised to become a tourist hub in the future. I was told that many investors have been buying beachfront lots in coron in speculation of the tourism potentials of the area. No less than the president herself owns a big parcel of lot(if im not mistaekn, about two hectares) in Coron.

Rodel

June 25th, 2006, 03:21 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic5.jpg

Rodel

July 22nd, 2006, 03:00 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic6.jpg

le Reine

July 22nd, 2006, 03:35 PM

Bakit dun sa 2 post, yung tungkol sa isang Korean article, ang binabanggit ay "peral of the orient" daw ang shanghai! Haaay! Diba sa Philippines ang distinction na iyon... asar naman yun!

IsaRic

August 10th, 2006, 01:49 AM

The Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands are a disputed group of approximately 100 reefs and islets in the South China Sea. Part of the South China Sea Islands, the Spratly Islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and gas and oil deposits, whose true extent is unknown and disputed. The People's Republic of China (PRC), the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam each claim sovereignty over the entire group of islands, while Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines each claim various parts. Several of the nations involved have soldiers stationed in the Spratlys and control various installations on different islands and reefs. The Republic of China (Taiwan) occupies one of the largest islands, Taiping. In February 1995, the PRC occupied Mischief Reef, creating a political crisis in Southeast Asia, especially with the Philippines. In early 1999, these disputes escalated as the Philippines claimed that the PRC was building military installations on the reef.

Although the disputes have calmed to some degree, they still remain one of the most plausible scenarios for a major East Asia war involving the PRC or a smaller war between other claimants, a scenario depicted by Tom Clancy in his novel SSN.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ec/Pg-map.png

Political Dispute

The first indication that the Spratly Islands were more than merely a hazard to shipping was in 1968 when oil was discovered in the region. The PRC’s Geology and Mineral Resources Ministry has estimated that the Spratly area holds oil and natural gas reserves of 17.7 billion tons (1.60 × 1010 kg), as compared to the 13 billion tons (1.17 × 1010 kg) held by Kuwait, placing it as the fourth largest reserve bed in the world. Naturally, these large reserves assisted in intensifying the situation and propelled the territorial claims of the neighbouring countries. On 11 March 1976, the first major Philippine oil discovery occurred off the coast of Palawan, within the Spratly Islands territory, and these oil fields now account for fifteen percent of all petroleum consumed in the Philippines.

The claimants to sovereignty have not awarded offshore concessions in the islands for fear of provoking an immediate clash. Foreign companies have not made any commitments to explore the area until the territorial dispute is settled or the claimants come to terms on joint development.

An additional motive is the region's role as one of the world's most productive areas for commercial fishing. In 1988, for example, the South China Sea accounted for eight percent of the total world catch, a figure which has certainly risen. The PRC has predicted that the South China Sea holds combined fishing and oil and gas resources worth one trillion dollars. There have already been numerous clashes between the Philippines and other nations — particularly the PRC — over foreign fishing vessels in its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) and the media regularly report the arrest of Chinese fishermen.

The region is also one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. During the 1980s, at least two hundred and seventy ships passed through the Spratly Islands region each day, and currently more than half of the world’s supertanker traffic, by tonnage, passes through the region’s waters every year. Tanker traffic through the South China Sea is over three times greater than through the Suez Canal and five times more than through the Panama Canal; twenty five percent of the world’s crude oil passes through the South China Sea.

There have been suggestions that the PRC has annexed and occupied islands not for resource exploitation but rather for surveillance. For example, Mischief Reef would be an ideal site from which to observe United States naval vessels traveling through western Philippine waters. The PRC’s occupation of the islands may be also be aimed at opposing the ROC rather than the Philippines as the Spratlys lie across water essential to the ROC. It could also simply be part of the PRC's efforts to announce its solidifying regional hegemony.

There have been occasional naval clashes over the Spratly Islands. In 1974, after South Vietnam had allowed Western oil companies to explore the Paracel Islands, the PRC reacted by seizing control of them following a short naval battle; in 1988, China similarly annexed another six islets in a region otherwise controlled by Vietnam. An incident involving a civilian vessel occurred on April 10, 1983, when a German yacht was fired on and sunk. No responsibility has yet been indicated for this action.

In response to growing concerns by coastal states regarding encroachments by foreign vessels on their natural resources, the United Nations convened the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 to determine the issue of international sea boundaries. In response to these concerns, it was resolved that a coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries. However UNCLOS failed to address the issue of how to adjudicate on overlapping claims and so the future of the islands remains clouded.

In 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the island. Then, in 1988, the PRC and Vietnam again clashed at sea over possession of Johnson Reef in the Spratlys. Chinese gunboats sank Vietnamese transport ships supporting a landing party of Vietnamese soldiers. The two countries normalized relations in 1991 and President Jiang Zemin subsequently made two trips to Vietnam, but the two nations remain at loggerheads over the Spratlys' future.

In 1992, the PRC and Vietnam granted oil exploration contracts to U.S. oil companies that covered overlapping areas in the Spratlys; and in May 1992, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Crestone Energy (a U.S. company based in Denver, Colorado) signed a cooperation contract for the joint exploration of the Wan'an Bei-21 block, a 25,155 km² section of the southwestern South China Sea that includes Spratly Island areas. CNOOC was to provide seismic and other data regarding the seabed in the contract area, while Crestone agreed to cover all costs and conduct follow-up seismic surveys and drilling in the area. The contract was extended in 1999 after Crestone failed to complete the exploration. Part of the Crestone's contract covered Vietnam’s blocks 133 and 134, where PetroVietnam and ConocoPhillips Vietnam Exploration & Production, a unit of ConocoPhillips, agreed to evaluate prospects in April 1992. This led to a confrontation between China and Vietnam, with each demanding that the other cancel its contract.

Further escalation occurred in early 1995 when the Philippines discovered a primitive PRC military structure on Mischief Reef, one hundred and thirty nautical miles off the coast of Palawan. This prompted the Philippines government to issue a formal protest over the PRC occupation of the reef and the Philippine navy to arrest sixty-two Chinese fishermen at Half Moon Shoal, eighty kilometres from Palawan. A week later, following confirmation from surveillance pictures that the structures were of military design, then Philippine President Fidel Ramos ordered military forces in the region strengthened. The PRC had claimed that the structures were shelters for fishermen.

Following this dispute an ASEAN-brokered agreement was reached between the PRC and ASEAN member nations whereby a nation would inform the others of any military movement within the disputed territory and that there would be no further construction. The agreement was promptly violated by the PRC and Malaysia. Claiming storm damage, seven PRC naval vessels entered the area to repair "fishing shelters" in Panganiban Reef. Malaysia erected a structure on Investigator Shoal and landed at Rizal Reef, both places situated within the Philippines EEZ. In response the Philippines lodged formal protests, demanded the removal of the structures, increased naval patrols in Kalayaan and issued invitations to American politicians to inspect the PRC bases by plane.

By 1998, as the PRC continued its creeping annexation of the islands, placing sovereignty markers or buoys on First and Second Thomas Shoals, Pennsylvania Shoal, Half Moon Shoal and the Sabina and Jackson atolls, the Spratly Islands area was listed as one of eight flashpoints[citation needed] for conflict in the world. By late 1998, PRC bases had surrounded the Philippines' outposts. A British Royal Navy Commander analyzed pictures of the Chinese structures and announced that PRC "appeared to be preparing for war"[citation needed]. The relationship between Manila and Beijing had deteriorated to the point where war seemed imminent.

In the early 21st century, as part of foreign policy initiatives known as the "new security concept" and "China's peaceful rise", the PRC became much less confrontational about the Spratly Islands. The PRC recently held talks with ASEAN countries aimed at realizing a proposal for a free trade area between the ten countries involved. The PRC and ASEAN also have been engaged in talks to create a code of conduct aimed at easing tensions in the disputed islands. On 5 March 2002, an agreement was reached, setting forth the desire of the claimant nations to resolve the problem of sovereignty "without further use of force"[citation needed]. In November 2002, a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea was signed, easing tensions but falling short of a legally-binding code of conduct.

People's Republic of China claims on the Spratly Islands

The People's Republic of China (PRC) bases its claim to the islands on historical grounds. They state that the Spratly Islands have been an integral part of China for nearly two thousand years and point to ancient manuscripts claiming to refer to the Spratly Islands and remains of Chinese pottery and coins on the islands as proof. Using this argument, the PRC states that the Philippines have taken 410,000 square kilometres of its traditional maritime boundary, having taken advantage of the PRC's poor condition during its exile from international affairs, but some analysts question these claims.

However, many official records and maps dating back to Han Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and Republic of China did include the Spratly Islands in Chinese territory. (See the Chinese version of this page for document details and dates). However, these same maps also claim the northern Philippine archipelago, Palawan, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia among others. If China's can claim the Spratly Islands on such grounds then they should do so with these other countries, making the argument somewhat absurd. In addition, China claimed these areas more as protectorates rather than as a true part of China since they still had their own kingdoms and governments.

Philippine claims on the Spratly Islands

While the Philippine claim to the Spratly Islands was first expressed in the United Nations General Assembly in 1946, Philippine involvement in the Spratly's did not begin in earnest until 1956, when on 15 May Philippine citizen Tomas Cloma proclaimed the founding of a new state, Kalayaan (Freedom Land). Cloma’s Kalayaan encompassed fifty three features spread throughout the eastern South China Sea, including Spratly Island proper, Itu Aba, Pag-asa and Nam Yit Islands, as well as West York Island, North Danger Reef, Mariveles Reef and Investigator Shoal. Cloma then established a protectorate in July 1956 with Pag-asa as its capital and Cloma as “Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Kalayaan State”. This action, although not officially endorsed by the Philippine government, was considered by other claimant nations as an act of aggression by the Philippines and international reaction was swift. Taiwan, the PRC, South Vietnam, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands lodged official protests (the Netherlands on the premise that it considered the Spratly Islands part of Dutch New Guinea) and Taiwan sent a naval task force to occupy the islands and establish a base on Itu Aba, which it retains to the present day.

Tomas Cloma and the Philippines continued to state their claims over the islands; in October 1956 Cloma traveled to New York to plead his case before the United Nations and the Philippines had troops posted on three islands by 1968 on the premise of protecting Kalayaan citizens. In early 1971 the Philippines sent a diplomatic note on behalf of Cloma to Taipei demanding the ROC's withdrawal from Itu Aba and on 10 July in the same year Ferdinand Marcos announced the annexation of the 53 island group known as Kalayaan, although since neither Cloma or Marcos specified which fifty three features constituted Kalayaan, the Philippines began to claim as many features as possible. In April of 1972 Kalayaan was officially incorporated into Palawan province and was administered as a single “poblacion” (township), with Tomas Cloma as the town council Chairman and by 1992, there were twelve registered voters on Kalayaan. The Philippines also reportedly attempted to land troops on Itu Aba in 1977 to occupy the island but were repelled by ROC troops stationed on the island. There were no reports of casualties from the conflict. In 2005, a cellular phone base station was erected by the Philippines' Smart Communications on Pag-asa Island.

The Philippines base their claims of sovereignty over the Spratly's on the issues of res nullius and geography. The Philippines contend Kalayaan was res nullius as there was no effective sovereignty over the islands until the 1930s when France and then Japan acquired the islands. When Japan renounced their sovereignty over the islands in the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1951, there was a relinquishment of the right to the islands without any special beneficiary. Therefore, argue the Philippines, the islands became res nullius and available for annexation. Philippine businessman Tomas Cloma did exactly that in 1956 and while the Philippines never officially supported Cloma’s claim, upon transference of the islands’ sovereignty from Cloma to the Philippines, the Philippines used the same sovereignty argument as Cloma did. The Philippine claim to Kalayaan on geographical bases can be summarized using the assertion that Kalayaan is distinct from other island groups in the South China Sea because:

It is a generally accepted practice in oceanography to refer to a chain of islands through the name of the biggest island in the group or through the use of a collective name. Note that Spratly (island) has an area of only 13 hectares compared to the 22 hectare area of the Pag-asa Island. Distance-wise, Spratly Island is some 210nm off Pag-asa Islands. This further stresses the argument that they are not part of the same island chain. The Paracels being much further (34.5nm northwest of Pag-asa Island) is definitely a different group of islands

A second argument used by the Philippines regarding their geographical claim over the Spratly’s is that all the islands claimed by the Philippines lie within their archipelagic baselines, the only claimant who can make such a statement. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stated that a coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries. It is perhaps telling that while the Philippines is a signatory to UNCLOS, the PRC and Vietnam are not. The Philippines also argue, under Law of the Sea provisions, that the PRC can not extend its baseline claims to the Spratly’s because the PRC is not an archipelagic state. Whether this argument (or any other used by the Philippines) would hold up in court is debatable but possibly moot, as the PRC and Vietnam seem unwilling to legally substantiate their claims and have rejected Philippine challenges to take the dispute to the World Maritime Tribunal in Hamburg.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e9/Spratly_%26_Paracel_Islands.gif/800px-Spratly_%26_Paracel_Islands.gif

IsaRic

August 10th, 2006, 01:52 AM

What way if back in the day we have claimed and become owners of these islands? Maybe we woulda've been one of the richest countries in the world because of that oil reserves :bash:

[dx]

August 10th, 2006, 01:57 AM

"...all the islands claimed by the Philippines lie within their archipelagic baselines, the only claimant who can make such a statement. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stated that a coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries."

kaso the PRC and Vietnam, two of our fiercest rivals over the Spratlys are not signatories of the UNCLOS. tough luck :bash:

IsaRic

August 10th, 2006, 03:57 AM

Philippines is obsviously the closest to these little atol islands! Just like when your little brother is closest to the TV... its his territory and power to change the channel (no remote control lol) hehehehe :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

[dx]

August 10th, 2006, 04:31 AM

^^ haha.
but little brother would be powerless when the big bully kuya comes and takes control of the TV. Parang 'pinas. lol :bash:

jbkayaker12

August 10th, 2006, 09:16 AM

Sadly we have an impotent Philippine government. Look at what happened to Sabah, gone and taken by Malaysia. We should stick to our claims on these atolls rich in mineral resources since it is within our geographical boundaries.

gimikguysmile

August 10th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Sadly we have an impotent Philippine government.

how true. :sleepy:

Espma

August 10th, 2006, 04:10 PM

^^oh whoa..so geographically speaking Philippines is the closest country to those islands?!

How come the Philippines is only claiming "parts" of it and not the whole thing?!!
(I only skimmed read the article people, its bloody long!)

I sooo wanna open a thread about Sabah, but that issue is very very sensitive, and will be locked for sure..lol

paulkrps

August 10th, 2006, 04:20 PM

this is a very interesting thread. so little known but very controversial.

i remember reading something on the paracel islands awhile. kaso blurry na rin sakin ngayon. do we have a claim on the paracels too? on spratlys, logically the philippines being the nearest has the rightful and historical claim. point is, unless we can strenghten ourselves militarily, aapakan lang tayo ng iba at hindi seseryohin.

TheAvenger

August 10th, 2006, 09:52 PM

TheAvenger

August 10th, 2006, 11:06 PM

First I will present the documents of the UN Law of Sea Conference and the maps of the South China Sea and the Kalayaan Islands Group, then some comments.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/LawofSea.jpg

Sea areas in international rights
The issue of varying claims of territorial waters was raised in the UN in 1967 by Arvid Pardo and in 1973 the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea was convened in New York to write a new treaty covering the oceans. The conference lasted until 1982 and over 160 nations participated. The conference was conducted under a process of consensus rather than majority vote in an attempt to reduce the possibility of groups of nation-states dominating the negotiations. The convention came into force on November 14, 1994, one year after the sixtieth state, Guyana, signed it.
The convention introduced a number of provisions. The most significant issues covered were setting limits, navigation, archipelagic status and transit regimes, exclusive economic zones (EEZ), continental shelf jurisdiction, deep seabed mining, the exploitation regime, protection of the marine environment, scientific research, and settlement of disputes.
The convention set the limit of territorial waters to 12 nautical miles (22 km), in which area the coastal state is free to set laws, regulate any use, and use any resource. Vessels were given the right of "innocent passage" through any territorial waters, with strategic straits allowing the passage of military craft as "transit passage", in that naval vessels are allowed to maintain postures that would be illegal in territorial waters. Beyond the 12 nautical mile (22 km) limit there was a further 12 nautical mile (22 km) or 24 nautical miles (44 km) from the territorial sea baselines limit, the "contiguous zone", in which area a state could continue to enforce laws regarding activities such as smuggling or illegal immigration.
The exclusive economic zones (EEZ) extended the exploitation rights of coastal nations to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from shore, covering all natural resources. The EEZ were introduced to halt the increasingly heated clashes over fishing rights, although oil was also becoming important. The success of an offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico in 1947 was soon repeated elsewhere in the world, by 1970 it was technically feasible to operate in waters 4000 metres deep.
The convention set the definition of Archipelagic States in Part IV, which also define how the state can draw its territorial borders. A baseline is drawn between the outermost points of the outermost islands. All waters inside this baseline is described as Archipelagic Waters and are included as part of the state's territory. This baseline is also used to chart its territorial waters 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline and EEZ 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the baseline.
Aside from its provisions defining ocean boundaries, the convention establishes general obligations for safeguarding the marine environment and protecting freedom of scientific research on the high seas, and also creates an innovative legal regime for controlling mineral resource exploitation in deep seabed areas beyond national jurisdiction, through an International Seabed Authority.
Landlocked states are given a right of access to and from the sea, without taxation of traffic through transit states.
[
Signature and ratification
Opened for signature - December 10, 1982.
Entered into force - November 16, 1994.
Parties - (149) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, People's Republic of China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, European Union, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (28) Afghanistan, Belarus, Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Iran, North Korea, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Niue, Rwanda, Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States.
[edit]
References
This law-related article does not cite its references or sources. You can help Wikipedia by including appropriate citations, which can be found through legal research.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Spratly.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/SpratlyIsland.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/KalayaanIslandsGroup.jpg

Pagasa Island or Thitu island is located at 11o03’N 114o17’ E

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/GoogleSatpictureofKIGwithLatnLong.jpg

Pagasa Island or Thitu island is located at 11o03’N 114o17’ E

KALAYAAN GROUP OF ISLAND
PHILIPPINE NAME OLD NAME
PAG-ASA - THITU ISLAND
KOTA - LOAITA ISLAND
LAWAK - NANSHAN ISLAND
LIKAS - WEST YORK ISLAND
PANATA - LANKIAM CAY

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/KIGsatphoto.jpg

I would like to emphasize that though china is claiming that in their ancient maps the Spratly islands was shown, the other small islands northward of
the Spratly island is not shown. Anyhow any country can claim that in their maps or history any particular islands belong to them.

Basing on the International Law of Sea Conference the Kalayaan Islands Group is inside the 200 miles from the continental shelf of Palawan, so we have a legal claim on the mentioned KIG on the south china sea.

Though the United States, Vietnam, and China were not signatories to that UN Law of Sea Conference, that law is still an international law since many countries have signed it. We can won the case in the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The hardest thing is how to convince China to settle the case in the International Court, they won't do it.

The only thing our country can do is to hold that island and garrison it with
military troops and equipments.

The Paracel which is quite close to Vietnamese coast than the chinese island of Hainan was under Vietnam for centuries though the Chinese claimed that
island.

During the French occupation of Vietnam and later when the U.S. is having it's war in Vietnam, the chinese never dared to take it. However after the Vietnam War when the americans left, a few years after, China fought Vietnam and took posssesion of the Paracel islands group.

China won't dare get our Kalayaan Island group as long as they think and know that America will side with the Philippines.

However, we are not sure if the American government will help us if China decided to take possession of Kalayaan islang Group or KIG, For some geopolitical reasons the Americans may let the Chinese take KIG.

After the Philippine Independence fro US, our nationalist lawmaker like Recto
were against the Philippines military defense treaty with the US. If I am not mistaken somewhere in the treaty, it was written that an attack of other foreign country to the US territory is also considered an attack to the Philippines, and we are compelled by the treaty to support the americans in the war.

Likewise an attack to the Philippines is considered an attack to the US and the Americans is suppose to protect the Philippines.

HOWEVER according to some of our nationalist lawmaker that time, it was written in that Defense treaty with the US government that an attack coming from the west of the Philippines, the American govt is not compelled
to support our country. It means that if China, Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia attacked our country the Americans is not compelled by that defense treaty to support us. Apparently that time when they they make the treaty, they expect that the attack will come from Russia / USSR.

Besides, that defense treaty though ratified by the Phil Congress that time,
it was never ratified by the American congress.

lagi tayong naiisahan ng mga Kano, so if China attack us the US may or may not support us, it will all depend on their geopolitical interest in southeast asia whether they will support us.

In my previous essay on the other Thread of this SSC, I mentioned that the Americans were necessary evil. We need the Americans for the same geo-political reasons incase the emerging dragon of China or if Indonesia or Malaysia became a fundamentalist Islamic country and attack our country.

The Americans were unreliable ally, their supports if our country is at war will depends on their geopolitical interest or their own selfish interest. But we need a strong country to help us.

The only country that can help us is the Russians. Russia and China were natural enemies even during the time when USSR is in existence. Russia is also
apprehensive of Chinas emerging power in Asia as it may endanger their military and naval base in Vladivostok which is located in Siberia and Sea of Japan. For geopolitical reasons Russia is a good ally against the emerging imperialistic ambition of china in southeast asia.

Considering the millions of chinese in the Philippines with unknown loyalty eventhough most of them have acquired Pinoy citizenship (they have dual citizenship). Considering that China may attack our Kalayaan Island Ground anytime that they think the Americans will turn a blind eye to their territorial ambitions. i think it is just prudent that our national leaders should start cultivating friendly ties with the Russians. With regards to war with China, the Russians will turnout to be a reliable ally than the Americans.

P.S.
Pls note that during Spanish era the American administered island of Marianas and the Carolines were under the Spanish government based in Manila, however after the spanish american war they separate the administration of the Philippine island, Marianas islands, and the Carolines island.

also Palmas island south of Davao which the Dutch gave to Indonesia formerly belongs to the Spanish government which is based in Manila. Of course Sabah also belongs to us.

If only our country is strong, then we can recover all our lost territories. But first we have to eliminate corruptions in order to have a strong economy, With strong economy we can build a stromg military forces. And then we can recover Sabah and Palmas island (now named Miangas by the Indonesians.

Of course the Americans will not let us recover Marianas islands and the Carolines island... he he he what a joke

TheAvenger

August 17th, 2006, 12:21 PM

Below is the copy of US - Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty
It maintained that the US will help the Philippines in any war
if the attack will come on the Pacific side of our country which is
almost nil. who will attack our country from the Pacific side ? the US ??

So if China or Vietnam attack our country, we cannot expect any
military help from the US govt.

If Malaysia or Indonesia attack us owing to Islamic problems in the south,
don't expect the US govt to help us unless they are the one who instigate it.

the below copy of treaty you can find in Avalon Project - Google search engine
--------------------------------------------------------------

Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines; August 30, 1951(1)
Art 1 Art 2 Art 3 Art 4 Art 5 Art 6 Art 7 Art 8

The Parties to this Treaty,

Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all Governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the Pacific Area,

Recalling with mutual pride the historic relationship which brought their two peoples together in a common bond of sympathy and mutual ideals to fight side-by-side against imperialist aggression during the last war,

Desiring to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the Pacific Area,

Desiring further to strengthen their present efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific Area,

Agreeing that nothing in this present instrument shall be considered or interpreted as in any way or sense altering or diminishing any existing agreements or understandings between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines,

Have agreed as follows

ARTICLE I
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

ARTICLE II
In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty, the Parties separately and jointly by self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.

ARTICLE III
The Parties, through their Foreign Ministers or their deputies, will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and whenever in the opinion of either of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack in the Pacific.

ARTICLE IV
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.

Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.

ARTICLE V
For the purpose of Article IV, an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.

ARTICLE VI
This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.

ARTICLE VII
This Treaty shall be ratified by the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines in accordance with their respective constitutional processes and will come into force when instruments of ratification thereof have been exchanged by them at Manila.(2)

ARTICLE VIII
This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one year after notice has been given to the other Party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Washington this thirtieth day of August 1951.

(1) TIAS 2529, 3 UST 3947-3952. Ratification advised by the Senate, Mar. 20, 1952; ratified by the President, Apr. 15,1952; entered into force, Aug. 27. Back

(2) Instruments of ratification were exchanged Aug. 27, 1952. Back

Source:
American Foreign Policy 1950-1955
Basic Documents Volumes I and II
Department of State Publication 6446
General Foreign Policy Series 117
Washington, DC : U.S. Governemnt Printing Office, 1957

USMARC Cataloging Record

TheAvenger

August 17th, 2006, 01:16 PM

Journal Article Excerpt

Creeping Assertiveness: China, the Philippines and the South China Sea Dispute.

by Ian James Storey
Introduction
The unresolved territorial disputes between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Philippines in the South China Sea have highlighted emerging trends and raised important issues pertaining to the security and stability of Southeast Asia. The disputes have not only had a significant impact on the shape of Sino-Philippine relations, but also underlined the important roles played by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States in maintaining regional stability. This article identifies and addresses the salient issues raised by the disputes.(1) Firstly, the events of 1995-98 reinforce the notion that China is gradually expanding its presence in the South China Sea and concurrently indicating a willingness to settle the issue diplomatically. Secondly, the lack of a credible defence force has required the Philippines to negotiate with the PRC from a position of weakness, resulting in little concrete progress. Thirdly, during the dispute ASEAN was willing to take a united stand on the issue and indirectly rebuke China. The United States, on the other hand, was unwilling to commit itself to helping the Philippines militarily for fear of damaging its relations with the PRC.

Background

The territorial dispute between China and the Philippines centres around the ownership of about fifty small islands and reefs in the Spratly group in the South China Sea. The Spratly archipelago comprises more than 230 rock formations of varying sizes, the sovereignty of which is disputed by six parties - China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei. Three of the disputants (China, Taiwan and Vietnam) claim the entire chain, two (Malaysia and the Philippines) claim only certain parts of the group, whilst Brunei disputes a small part of the territorial waters. The fifty islands claimed by the Philippines are located 230 nautical miles west of Palawan island, and are known to Filipinos as the Kalayaans, a term which will be used throughout this article to distinguish them from the Spratly group as a whole. Sovereignty over the islands is important to the disputants not because of their intrinsic value, but because of the maritime resources which ownership would provide - such as valuable fishing grounds and, as yet, unproven quantities of hydrocarbons (oil and gas).(2)

China bases its claims in the South China Sea (including the Kalayaans) on the grounds of discovery and occupation going back 2,000 years. The PRC demonstrates its claim by reference to maps drawn up during the Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 220) which purportedly show the Spratlys as part of its territory, and historical artifacts found on the islands indicating the presence of Chinese fishermen. The Philippine claim is much more recent. In 1956 Filipino national Thomas Cloma laid claim to the Kalayaans, declaring the islands res nullius as Japan had been forced to renounce their ownership at the 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference.(3) In 1974 Cloma "transferred" sovereignty of the islands to the Philippine Government, and in June 1978 the Kalayaans were declared Philippine territory by presidential decree. According to that decree, the Kalayaans belong to the Republic of the Philippines.

TheAvenger

August 17th, 2006, 01:39 PM

Conduct Unbecoming in the South China Sea?
Ronald A. Rodriguez (Vasey Fellow, Pacific Forum CSIS)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recent events confirm that maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea remain an issue for East Asian governments. Ownership of the Spratly Islands is disputed, in whole or in parts, among Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In the first quarter of 2004 alone, the claimants took turns building up anxiety, raising concerns about the sustainability of the status quo and the ability of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to ensure the claimants' self-restraint.

First came the Philippines' announcement of the Balikatan exercises with the U.S. in the South China Sea in February. The Philippine action appeared to be driven by Manila's growing uneasiness over an increasing number of visits by Chinese research vessels and warships in the Spratly Islands, as well as the sudden appearance of new Chinese markers on the unoccupied reefs late last year. The mounting tension did not dissipate until Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured the region that the military exercises did not have anything to do with the maritime territorial disputes.

Then came Taiwan's turn. On March 23, a Taiwanese speedboat carrying eight individuals landed and carried out the swift construction of a makeshift "bird-watching stand" on the Ban Than Reef. Vietnam strongly condemned Taiwan's move and demanded an end to the construction activities. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung branded Taiwan's handiwork as "an act of land grabbing expansion that seriously violated Vietnam's territorial sovereignty" and warned against the possible consequences of Taiwan's "adventurism."

Taiwan's action didn't go unanswered. Two days after the Ban Than Reef incident, Vietnam reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratley) and the Hoang Sa (Paracel) atolls by announcing that it would hold the inaugural tourist boat trip to the contested islands. China decided to conduct a PLA Navy drill in the South China Sea on April 12, sending signals to the other claimants to back off.

The Chinese display of naval capability in the South China Sea didn't stop Vietnam. Unfazed, Hanoi gave its white navy ship HQ988 the go signal to sail for the atolls with about 60 tourists and 40 officials on April 19. Many saw the controversial eight-day round trip as the beginning of more Vietnamese tourism activities in the area - a development that follows the Malaysian lead of a few years ago.

What Happened to the 2002 Declaration?

The maneuvering for advantage in the South China Sea reveals the frailty of the aforementioned non-binding Declaration. In November 2002, the region celebrated the signing in Phnom Penh of the landmark Declaration between ASEAN and China in which the claimants agreed to avoid actions that could raise tension in the South China Sea. The nonbinding nature of the Declaration, however, has been a concern for some of the signatories. Two years after it was signed, the parties are almost back to where they started. Most, if not all, do not seem ready to allow regional concerns to supersede their national interests. This is why, at least for some critics, the Declaration has been reduced to a "flimsy piece of paper."

There are two views on the value of the Declaration. Mark Valencia, an ocean policies expert at the Honolulu-based East-West Center, typifies the skeptic's view. He anticipated that the Declaration was doomed, considering it a flawed attempt to reduce the heat over territory in the South China Sea. This view sees the Declaration to be a self-deceiving exercise that satisfied ASEAN's thirst for political accomplishment, but did not offer profound changes in the security situation in the South China Sea. Valencia emphasizes that no loose agreement would prevent claimants from positioning themselves strategically in the lingering dispute.

The other view takes a more cautious position. Aileen Baviera of the University of the Philippines' Asian Center, for instance, cautions against a rush to judgment and outright dismissal of the Declaration, arguing the claimants' constant reference to it whenever there is a problem suggests that parties continue to find value and purpose in its spirit. In this sense, the Declaration has value as a referent, and modifies the behavior of the parties to the SCS dispute. The Philippines' and China's efforts to downplay their navy drills as either part of a regular security routine or unrelated to the maritime territorial disputes indicate a turnaround in their more self-assured positions in the past.

Quo Vadis?

The recent moves by Taiwan and Vietnam cannot be downplayed, however. It's time to reassess the Declaration and see how similar incidents can be avoided. For one, the parties should start molding a set of guidelines that will diminish the gray areas in the Declaration. The Declaration should define the 10 points that the parties have agreed on and seek strategies to operationalize them as soon as possible. The mounting criticisms of the Declaration should create momentum for greater interest in a more binding agreement.

In addition, the parties should build on the prospects for regional cooperation that emerged out of China's decision to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) with ASEAN on Oct. 8, 2003. Not only does the TAC commit ASEAN and China to a non-aggression pact, but it also increases the possibility of a more binding agreement on the South China Sea in the future.

Optimists and skeptics share the view that dialogue is a basic need in the South China Sea. But any fresh initiative should emphasize the need for progress in cooperative endeavors, rather than dwell on infractions. The parties can begin with the six proposed areas of cooperation in the Declaration, which include marine environmental protection, marine scientific research, safety of navigation and communication at sea, search and rescue operation, and combating transnational crime.

Taiwan will continue to be a problem, however. To date, China has refused to allow Taiwan to become a signatory to any legal accord in the South China Sea. Yet any failure to consider Taiwan's interests will allow it to play spoiler. A peaceful resolution to the disputes requires effective management of the Taiwan problem.

In hindsight, it was probably the lack of sustained dialogue that has weakened the foundations of the Declaration. The parties overlooked the fact that continuous interaction is an equally important element of the signed Declaration. While an informal working group still convenes, the gradual retreat of catalysts like Canada and Indonesia, as well as key individuals like Hasjim Djalal, has had an impact. The parties may not readily agree, but it appears that the South China Sea needs another intermediary.

Takers anyone?

(Posted here with the permission of Pacific Forum CSIS)

Top

JAMAICUS

August 17th, 2006, 01:45 PM

At this pace... I think this thread should be here >>> http://skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=586 ....

TheAvenger

August 17th, 2006, 01:46 PM

Unwanted Entanglement: The Philippines’ Spratly Policy as a Case Study in Conflict Enhancement?
Greg Austin
Australian National University, Canberra

The Philippines used a number of incidents involving China around Mischief Reef between February and May 1995 as a lever to stimulate their political and military relationship with the USA following the closure of the US bases in the Philippines in 1992. However, the success enjoyed by the Philippines was not due to the underlying logic of US–Philippines relations narrowly defined. Rather, the main factor was China’s resort to military pressure against Taiwan in July and August 1995, and again in March 1996. For the first time, the USA used its ally’s presence in the disputed Spratly islands as a lever of its own for winning back Philippine support for renewed US military access as part of the USA’s strategy for regional power projection against China. The Philippines had played for a security guarantee from the USA in respect of the Spratly islands, but found the price of alliance was mutual commitment, especially with regard to a possible Taiwan contingency.

JAMAICUS

August 17th, 2006, 01:49 PM

Will there be any pics or would this be an all word political discussion thread?

IMPRESARIO

August 17th, 2006, 03:27 PM

http://img330.imageshack.us/img330/7255/spratly1zc.jpg

China Controls: 7
Cuarteron Reef
Fiery Cross Reef
Gaven Reef
Hughes Reef
Johnson Reef
Mischief Reef
Subi Reef

Vietnam controls 21 islands, reefs, shoals, and cays:
Alison Reef
Amboyan Reef
Barque Canada Reef
Central London Reef
Cornwallis South Reef
Da Gri-san
Da Hi Gen
East London Reef
Great Discovery Reef
Ladd Reef
Landsdowne Reef
Namyit Island
Pearson Reef
Petley Reef
Sand Cay
Sin Cowe Island
South Reef
South West Cay
Spratly Island
Tennent Reef
West London Reef

The Philippines
control the following
islands in the Spratlys: 8
Kota or Loaita Island
Lawak or Nansham Island
Likas or West York Island
Panata or Lamkian Cay
Pag-asa or Thitu Island
Parola or North East Cay
Patag or Flat Island
Rizal or Commodore Reef

Malaysia controls 3
Ardasier Reef
(Terumbu Ubi)
Mariveles Reef
(Terumbu Mantanani)
Swallow Reef
(Terumbu Layang)

source:http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/spratly-claims.htm

as you can see from the map, PRC and Vietnam is already close or witin the RP EEZ or territory. Malaysia even put up a hotel in one othe islands they occupied already.(hmmm...now how about that Sabah Claim? that would knock them out of contention,lol)

hopefully, all the participants involved wiil be able to talk and deal this with matter for the benefit of all and not be swines about it. For all our sakes! or this could start a war! :runaway:

Espma

August 17th, 2006, 04:53 PM

TheAvenger

August 17th, 2006, 06:58 PM

^^uh huh..and Vietnam already started sending tourists.

regarding that Sabah claim, it seems to me that the whole world already regards it as a part of Malaysia...since they always refer to it as a state of Malaysia...technically speaking though..they do not have the right to actually refer to it as their state...do they?!!!

Technically speaking also the Sabah claim is well documented that it was only lease and the records were well preserved in the Museum in Spain,
UK, and Philippines. Even the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu were still receiving rentals from the lease.

However, Malaysia is backed by United Kingdom and Australia, and of course the US government will always side with the British.

I will post here a part of my essay about Sabah and the Sultanette of Sulu
which I posted before in SSC Phil Forum's "Buhayin ang Manila High School"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE SULU SULTANATE AND SABAH

In the centuries long gone, Sabah was a part of the Sultanate of Brunei. About the 14th century the Sultanate of Brunei made war against the Sultanate of Malacca in the Malay Peninsula with the help of the Sultan of Sulu. Brunei rewarded the Sultan of Sulu by ceding to him the territory of Sabah. From the 14th century until the year 1881 the territory of Sabah was a part of the Sulu Sultanate. The Sultan of Sulu owned, ruled and exercise sovereignty in Sabah until it was leased by an American syndicate and later chartered by the British North Borneo Company in the year 1881. From that year up to 1946 the British North Borneo Company was paying yearly lease rentals to the Sultan of Sulu. From 1946 up to 1963 the British Crown government and later the Malaysian government from 1963 up to present year 2000 were paying lease rentals to the Sultan of Sulu.

On 15th July 1946 the British North Borneo Company leased of Sabah were transferred to the British government. It was just a month after the Philippines got independence from the Americans, and the infant Philippine government pleaded to the U.S. government for support in Philippine protest to the incorporation of Sabah to the British Crown. It was futile as the British and Americans were like brothers.

On 16th September 1963 with the British government arrangement, Sabah became a part of the Federation of Malaysia. On the year of 1965 the Sultan of Sulu have asked the helps of the Philippine government in recovering the territory of Sabah. Later about 1967 the Sultan of Sulu transferred the Sultanate sovereign and proprietary rights in Sabah to the Philippine government. The Philippine government using the lease written documents from Sulu, and from the Spanish government museums has submitted the case in the World Court to prove that Sabah was leased and not ceded to British North Borneo Company in the previous 19th century. However the World Court did not even accept the Philippine government case as the British heavily influence the World Court. The Philippine government was slow to realize that possession is one half of the law. No country in this world will returned their ill-gotten territory without a fight.

OPERATION JABIDAH

On the year 1968 with the clamor of Sabah natives to join with Sulu, the late President Marcos established a secret guerilla Special Forces to infiltrate and make a foothold in Sabah. It was called Operation Jabidah, most of the recruits were Muslim from Sulus and some Christian who can speak the Tausug and Sabah dialects. The first training camp of Operation Jabidah was established in the island of Simunul near Bongao Sulu.

Since Simunul island is very near Sabah where for centuries the people in that area sailed the Sulu Seas without regards to nationality or citizenship, some Malay spies disguising as Sulu natives were able to infiltrate the training camp. After some incidents in that secret training camp, the leader of Operation Jabidah transferred the camp to Corregidor Island located in the entrance of Manila Bay. The mostly Muslim trainees from Sulu together with other Christian were transferred to Corregidor to continue training.

The Malay spies to create dissention in the camp exploited the volatile long training and hardship in Corregidor. After a few months those Muslim trainees of Operation Jabidah want to quit the training and had demanded that they must be sent home to their hometowns in Sulu. The secret training ended in fiasco and led to an alleged massacres The alleged Corregidor massacres led to the outcry of Muslim Filipinos for justice and on that year the seeds of another Muslim revolt was planted.

THE MORO REBELLION

Ironically the Marcos secret military project Operation Jabidah that was established for the recovery of Sabah, which will benefit the whole Filipino nation particularly our Muslim brothers in the south, became the seeds of Muslim rebellion.

(pls see the entire essay on the thread "Buhayin ang Manila High School" )

In my other essays which I did not post yet - about Mindanao and Sulu.
This is the excerpt about Sabah.
"I am sure Malaysia will not be happy in the creation of an independent Muslim state in the Southern Philippines. In the 1970s according to some Newspaper accounts, Malaysia is secretly helping the Muslim rebels in their fights against the Philippine government; they helped the rebels because a peaceful Philippines may revive the claim to Sabah, which is a part of the Sulu Sultanate during the Spanish era and leased by the British and later by the Malaysian government.

Malaysia would neither like an independent Moro Islamic Republic to be created in the southern Philippines as that Islamic Republic may fight Malaysia for the return of Sabah to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu.

Perhaps Malaysia prefer that there is a perpetual warfare in the south in order to avoid the incorporation of Sabah to the Philippines or to an independent Muslim state that maybe created in the South if the Philippine government agreed to the rebel's demand. "

TheAvenger

August 17th, 2006, 07:10 PM

Committee News
A Publication of the Committee Affairs Department
OTHER NEWS «

VOLUME 13 | NO. 88 | January 25, 2006
Cttee starts review of proposal to amend charter
Committee Source: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

THE COMMITTEE on Constitutional Amendments chaired by Representative Constantino Jaraula (Cagayan de Oro City) started its discussion on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution in a meeting yesterday. It agreed to go over its working draft page by page, as proposed by Rep. Marcelino Libanan (Eastern Samar).

In its review of Article I of the Constitution which pertains to the coverage of the country?s national territory, the Committee agreed to revise the same to further assert the Philippines? territorial claim over certain areas including the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys, and the state of Sabah in Malaysia.

The working draft includes the proposal to insert the phrase ?and/or historic right or legal title? after the word ?jurisdiction? in the Constitution?s article on national territory. This would mean that the country?s national territory would include those territories which it has historic right or legal title.

Before the Committee agreed to this proposed amendment, Rep. Justin Marc Chipeco (2nd District, Laguna) asked the rationale for the inclusion of the abovementioned phrase, specifically whether it has any connection to the country?s claim over Sabah.

The question was supported by Rep. Roilo Golez (2nd District, Para��e City) who further asked whether the amendment serves to assert the Philippines? claim over the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys, particularly the Scarborough Shoal.

The Kalayaan Island Group is part of the Spratlys Islands located west of the province of Palawan.

In response to the queries of the two lawmakers, Rep. Jaraula explained that the proposed amendment would support the country?s territorial claim over the Kalayaan Island Group, and would protect the interest of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu with regard to their claim over Sabah. ?We will have no basis to object to incursion into our seas without this (amendment),? Rep. Jaraula stressed. ?We are trying to restore it since it was studied very well by the 1971 (Constitutional Commission) delegates,? he added.

Rep. Exequiel Javier (Antique) also explained that the said phrase was found in the 1973 Constitution which made it possible for the country to include the islands of Batanes in its national territory. He said Batanes was not part of the territory ceded by Spain to the United States and because of the particular phrase in the 1973 charter, the Philippines was able to press its claim over Batanes on historic right.

?This is the purpose of the phrase.? Rep. Javier said stressing that the country was able to have Batanes as part of its territory under international law. ?It does not prevent us from acquiring territory like Sabah by historic (right) or by occupation like the Kalayaan Island,? he added.

Meanwhile, Rep. Golez urged the body to seek the respective opinions of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of National Defense (DND) regarding the proposed inclusion of the phrase.

In the same meeting, the Committee also dwelt on the difference between the words ?amendment? and ?revision.?

In response to the query of Party List Reps. Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis) and Liza Maza (Gabriela), Rep. Jaraula explained that the word ?amendment? usually refers to individual, isolated provisions. Through the years, he said, this term has been expanded to refer to a particular subject matter contained in several provisions.

On the other hand, the chair continued, the word ?revision? involves a review of a bigger portion or of the entire Constitution.

In relation to the query of the two lawmakers, Reps. Aurelio Umali (3rd District, Nueva Ecija) and Antonio Cuenco (2nd District, Cebu City) proposed to change the title of the 37-page working draft into ?Proposed Amendments and/or Revision to the 1987 Constitution.? The body agreed to their proposal.

The Committee agreed to continue its discussion of the proposed amendments in its next meeting scheduled today.

Source: Committee Administrative Support Service, Committee Affairs Department
Page last updated on 10 August 2006

TheAvenger

August 17th, 2006, 07:50 PM

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Kalayaan1.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Kalayaan2.jpg

TheAvenger

August 18th, 2006, 01:34 AM

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/kalayaan4.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/a8cc1589.jpg

TheAvenger

August 18th, 2006, 09:37 AM

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Oldmapofsouthchinasea.jpg

Culiat

August 18th, 2006, 07:29 PM

A NEWSBREAK EXCLUSIVE: Exploring the Spratlys
Article posted August 15, 2006, 6:37 pm

RP sets aside territorial claims to look for oil deposits with China and Vietnam. This can be a ground for President Arroyo’s impeachment.

By Miriam Grace A. Go, NEWSBREAK

The diplomat draws invisible lines about three to four inches from the Palawan coastlines on the Philippine map. There’s no doubt, he says, that the Spratlys, “are nearest the Philippines than any other claimant countries." Yet, he says with a sigh drawn from decades of seeing the Philippines’ failure to establish its territorial claims, “it won’t be ours during my lifetime, not even my grandchildren’s lifetime."

Related link:

"Making a Claim" By Miriam Grace A. Go

Therefore “the way to go," he says, is play into China’s so-called common development strategy with neighbors, which President Deng Xiaoping first proffered in 1996. The Philippines did get onto the bandwagon and agreed initially with China, and then with Vietnam, to explore the Spratlys for potential petroleum deposits.

On Sept. 1, 2004, the state-owned oil companies, Philippine National Oil Company PNOC and the China National Offshore Oil Corp. CNOOC , signed an agreement for a Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) in the South China Sea. On March 14, 2005, that agreement was superseded by a tripartite accord that included the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp. PETROVIETNAM.
But NEWSBREAK learned that involving other claimant countries didn’t seem necessary because several private companies have been exploring the Spratlys since the 1970s under the Philippine service contract system. These were known to other claimants, but no protest was ever filed.

The 142,886 square kilometers that the geophysical survey covers is very well “within our claims," acknowledges the diplomat, who requested not to be named because of the sensitivity of the topic. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) didn’t question the project when it was being negotiated because “it looked like it was a done deal." And it was: it had the blessings of Malacañang.

Should survey data confirm the long-held belief that large oil deposits lie in the seabed of the Spratlys, the estimates of reserves—from 2 billion to 200 billion barrels—could give the Philippines and its Southeast Asian neighbors, currently all import-dependent, a steadier oil supply at cheaper prices.

PNOC president Eduardo Mañalac, who was instrumental in forging the agreement, says that if such potential is discovered through the JMSU, the governments would hopefully consider settling the territorial dispute by negotiation so they can all partake of Spratly’s resources.
The agreement provides, too, that “the signing of this Agreement…shall not undermine the basic position held by the Government of each Party on the South China Sea issue."

The issue is not that simple, however. Legal and diplomatic experts say that by agreeing to what Mañalac calls “a purely commercial transaction supported by the respective governments," the Philippines may have effectively agreed to limit its sovereignty, even to give up its claims, over the Spratlys, which is locally called the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

These experts say that the agreement suffers from legal infirmities, and in some aspects goes against the Constitution. It could even be a ground to impeach President Arroyo.

http://www.gmanews.tv/specialreports.php?id=13234

Culiat

August 18th, 2006, 08:14 PM

NEWSBREAK: Making a Claim
Article posted August 15, 2006, 6:05 pm

By Miriam Grace A. Go, NEWSBREAK

EVERY DAY, FILIPINOS CONSUME 356,000 BARRELS OF OIL FOR commerce and personal businesses. Only about 31,760 barrels of oil and oil equivalents are produced locally; the rest are imported. Given the Philippines’ proven reserves of 793 million barrels, and the volume it produces daily, the country may run out of supply—and thus be completely dependent on oil imports—by the year 2071.

However, there is a compelling possibility that the Philippines has unexploited reserves that can last, import-free, from 15 to 215 years more. These reserves, estimated to be between two billion and 28 billion barrels, are believed to be deposited in the disputed Kalayaan Group of Islands (KIG) or the Spratlys, into which our continental shelf—a shallow, underwater continuation of the Palawan island—is believed to extend.

To get its hands on that rich natural resource, Manila must first prove before the United Nations (UN), using geologic evidence, the Philippines’ rights over the area. Scientists and diplomats say that consolidating existing geologic data, gathering additional evidence and interpreting them, and preparing negotiating briefs for the UN may take at least four years to complete. The project cost P1.5 billion to P2 billion.

Should there be an allocation for the project in the 2004 budget and work starts immediately that same year, the project will be finished just before the 2009 deadline set by the UN for claimant-countries to prove their claims. After that, the international body will no longer entertain appeals to reopen claim cases.

Despite the national interest involved, the government doesn’t seem to give the project high priority. The law needed as basic reference for the scientists’ data-gathering has not gotten past the committee level at the House of Representatives; the office at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) mandated to coordinate the project is ill-funded and severely undermanned; the preliminary scientific and legal work are being done voluntarily by experts; and government officials have yet to discuss ensuring a decent budget for the project.

Continental Shelf

The formation of a continental shelf is explained by geologists through the theory of plate tectonics, which says that the continents we have now were part of a single continental landmass millions of years ago. When the landmass was broken into smaller continents (or plates), these components moved—and continue to move—in different ways. In cases where two plates move away from each other, the middle part of the landmass thins out, gives way to rising molten rocks that eventually solidify, and become the oceanic crust. The boundary between the oceanic crust and the continent is the extent of a state’s continental shelf.

The continental shelf, which is under water, is therefore the natural prolongation of the above-water landmass (which, in this case, is Palawan).

Under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), a coastal state is automatically recognized to have a continental shelf 200 nautical miles (NM) from its baseline or land borders. The 200 NM are divided as follows: the first 12 NM cover the territorial sea, meaning the Philippines owns the area; the next 12 NM are its contiguous zone, meaning the state exercises jurisdiction over the area in terms of immigration, sanitation, health, etc.; and on the next 176 NM, the country exercises sovereign rights only over the resources, which means that other states can access the area but with the Philippines’ consent.

The Unclos definition makes “continental shelf" a juridical concept—that is, a country has 200-NM jurisdiction whether or not it actually has a continental shelf. If a country believes its continental shelf—in the geologic sense—extends beyond 200 NM, it will have to prove it based on the technical and scientific guidelines set by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). A country’s claim on its continental shelf can reach only up to 350 NM, or 150 NM more than the limits mandated by the Unclos.

Imagine the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia portions pulling a continent in opposite directions. The parts of the continent which were stretched and submerged under shallow waters in the process are their continental shelves. If the area of these continental shelves cannot be divided into three 150-NM portions, then the contest of geologic evidence becomes more intense for the claimant-countries.

For example, because the tips of Palawan and Vietnam are close to each other, the claims of the Philippines and Vietnam on an additional 150 NM from their mandatory 200-NM-limit overlap. Also, measuring from Sabah—an island over which Manila is locked in dispute with Kuala Lumpur—Malaysia’s claim on an additional 150 NM overlaps, too, with the Philippines’ supposed Palawan extension.

TheAvenger

August 19th, 2006, 06:36 AM

Though the below topics is already one year old, I reckoned this can be used as a reference on what our legislator is doing about our Kalayaan island.

You can see here also that Palmas island located a few miles from the coast of Mindanao was able to get by Indonesia applying the EEZ principles.

"Thus, he stated, the country?s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) goes 200 miles outwards of the base lines and that the country can claim an additional 250 miles more as an extension of the continental shelf if only the country would act early enough. Ironically, he stated that although the late Senator Tolentino had fought for said concept in the UN unfortunately, up to the present, the country has not fully taken the opportunity to fully claim and exploit the territorial rights that it has become entitled to while Indonesia has managed to declare Miyangas Island or Las Palmas off Saranggani as their own under the EEZ. He opined that the country can also do the same for the Kalayaan Group of Islands. "

-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Journal No. 10
Monday, August 22, 2005

CALL TO ORDER

At 4:01 p.m., Deputy Speaker Emilio R. Espinosa Jr. called the session to order.

NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PRAYER

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. SOLIS

At the outset, Rep. Solis stated that he took the floor to establish and consolidate through legislation the country?s national characteristic and identity as an archipelagic Sate in view of recent world events and regional development. As a preface to his urgent call, he cited Article I of the Constitution which states that ?The national territory comprises the Philippine Archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The water around, between and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breath and dimension, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.? He further cited that Article II, Section 7 of the Constitution also provides that ?The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination.?

Rep. Solis stressed that the concept of archipelago propounded by the Philippines is unique among the States of the world, even among other archipelagos on account of its very closely-grouped islands and islets that comprise it and that the challenge to the country?s archipelagic concept was universal against the same. He pointed out that in the world political structure that has evolved, the country had to fight for international recognition of the concept, which is the Archipelagic Doctrine. Despite limited means, he stated that the Philippines did all it could in international fora or academic settings to preach and gain support for said doctrine. He said that the first open and clear assertion by the Philippines of the Archipelagic Doctrine was when the country enacted Republic Act (RA) No. 3046 in 1961 and RA No. 3445 in 1968, both authored by former Senator Arturo M. Tolentino, that applied the straight base lines method to enclose the islands compressing the archipelago and that said RAs had also served to delineate the country?s territorial seas within the Treaty of Paris from its claimed internal waters that surrounded the islands. However, he added that other countries have continued to register their objections as regards the character of the waters enclosed within the country?s base lines as well as the width of the territorial seas that extend to the full breath of the Treaty of Paris coordinates.

Thereupon, Rep. Solis informed the Body that it was in 1958 when the Philippines had the opportunity to ventilate the Archipelagic Doctrine in the first United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, he added that it was only in 1973, in the UNCLOS III, that the country?s Archipelagic Doctrine was accepted. He recalled that the UNCLOS, which entered into force in November 14, 1994 had recognized Article 46 thereof that ?an archipelagic State is a group of islands including parts of islands, interconnecting waters and other natural features which are so closely interrelated that such islands, waters and other natural features form an intrinsic geographical, economic and political entity, or which historically have been regarded as such.? He further recalled that under UNCLOS, an archipelagic State is allowed to draw straight base lines joining the outermost points of the outer islands and drying reefs.

Rep. Solis pointed out that he had to go into a rather extensive recall of the historical background and perspective of the Archipelagic Doctrine in order to generate a better and clearer appreciation of the country?s mission of defining the archipelagic base lines of the Philippine archipelago to include the Kalayaan Group of Islands. He stressed that the Philippines is recognized by the UN as one of the only 19 countries in the world which are recognized as archipelagic states, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. Thus, he stated, the country?s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) goes 200 miles outwards of the base lines and that the country can claim an additional 250 miles more as an extension of the continental shelf if only the country would act early enough. Ironically, he stated that although the late Senator Tolentino had fought for said concept in the UN unfortunately, up to the present, the country has not fully taken the opportunity to fully claim and exploit the territorial rights that it has become entitled to while Indonesia has managed to declare Miyangas Island or Las Palmas off Saranggani as their own under the EEZ. He opined that the country can also do the same for the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

As he had said earlier in his speech, Rep. Solis pointed out that recent developments in the regions necessitate immediate response through legislation, more specifically House Bill No. 1973 entitled ?An Act defining the archipelagic baselines of the Philippine archipelago to include the Kalayaan Island Group and to conform with the provisions of the UNCLOS, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 3046, as amended by Republic Act No. 5446.? He stressed that the establishment of new base lines laws of the Philippines is necessary as it shall serve as the basis from which to draw the 12-mile territorial sea, the 24-mile contiguous zone and the 200 mile EEZ as provided for under the UNCLOS. He added that the same shall also serve as the official notification to all States on the extent of the limits of the maritime zone of the Philippine archipelago and thus avert any unnecessary dispute with vessels of foreign states entering Philippine maritime territory without our permission.

Rep. Solis stressed that he is proud to report that in the recent Vietnam?Philippine Joint Permanent Working Group held in Hanoi, Vietnam, they were able to institutionalize the Joint Oceanographic and Marine Scientific Research Expedition (JOMSRE) which aims to further increase the scientific understanding of the South China Sea as well as promote marine scientific research among riparian States under the normative terms of Part IX of the UNCLOS. He informed the Body that other issues such as Marine Environmental Protection, Safety and Security of Navigation, Fishery Cooperation, Management and Coordination in Regional Maritime and Ocean Concerns were discussed. He pointed out that another historic event that will fortify the country?s claim of the Spratley?s is the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea which was signed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China in 2002 and which will create, a favorable condition for maritime cooperation, bilateral and multilateral, among States bordering the South China Sea.

Rep. Solis stated that the DOC, while merely a ?modus vivendi,? could nevertheless conceivably bring about a regional ?d鴥nte? conducive to a peaceful settlement of the Spratley?s situation which includes the Kalayaan Island Group. He pointed out that he had mentioned the same in view of the recent signing of the tripartite agreement for oil exploration between the Philippines, Vietnam and China and that in the face of the incessant domestic oil price increases, this oil exploration is the country?s only hope to bolster its oil reserve and normalize fuel prices once it comes to fruition.

Stating that foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy, Rep. Solis pointed out that a corollary axiom is that States have no permanent friends, only permanent interests. He stressed that a very basic, essential and never-changing aspect of domestic policy of the Philippines lies in the Archipelagic Doctrine and thus, it has and shall ever always be projected to foreign policy. He stated that as an archipelagic State in an age of modern globalization, foreign policy and diplomacy will be the primordial instrument for protecting and promoting the country?s vital national interests, especially in regard to sustainable economic development and overall post 9/11 maritime security requirements. He said that the country now has solid ground under conventional international law upon which to pursue its national interests and characteristic as an archipelagic State in a framework that can build permanent friends.

Rep. Solis pointed out that it is certainly true at least for the Asian region, the maritime rampart of which is a continuous axis of three large archipelagic States -- the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (and an archipelago, Japan) -- comprising a virtual archipelagic Continent that can work in concert to advance common interests. He stated that said axis of archipelagic States (and Japan) needs to cooperate together for although the acceptance of the Archipelagic Doctrine under international law was a battle won, it was not, however, a complete foreign policy and diplomatic victory. But then again, he added, a complete victory is possible only in a battlefield of war and that foreign policy and diplomatic victories always entail compromises. He stressed that this is the way of peaceful pursuits in international relations.

Thereupon, Rep. Solis maintained that the country needs to restructure and remodel its archipelagic State conformably to the 1982 UNCLOS as the country is now faced with a new and more difficult battle which is reconstructing its archipelagic house with what in fact are rudimentary plans provided under the 1982 UNCLOS. Thus, he stressed that it shall indeed be another long-running episode where the country?s creativity in the conduct of foreign policy and diplomacy will again be put to a severe test. He stated that until now, Congress has not completed the approval of the baseline of the country which he believes is paramount to globalization. He then moved that House Bill No. 1973, defining the country?s baseline, be approved at the soonest possible time.

Thereafter, the Chair recognized Rep. Felix R. Alfelor Jr. for his interpellation.

INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALFELOR

As Rep. Solis was sent to Vietnam by the government the previous week to speak on some territorial problems, Rep. Alfeleor initially inquired on the countries that were represented in the conference and its conclusion. He further inquired whether any commitments were made by the countries that participated in said conference.

Rep. Solis replied that the Declaration of Conduct, which was signed in 1992 in Manila, was signed by the claimant countries of the South China Sea, including the Spratley Group of Islands. In pursuance to said declaration, he pointed out that China, Vietnam and the Philippines had jointly agreed to proceed with a joint operation on maritime concerns which does not speak of the territorial integrity of each country but rather, a scientific expedition. However, he expressed fear that the country?s territorial integrity would be a problem once oil is found in the area because until now, the Philippines cannot define even its own territory.

Rep. Alfelor inquired whether Rep. Solis was proposing that the country, before entering into such an agreement, should first determine the limits of its territorial or sovereign scope of its territory because the other countries would also claim that particular territory if and when oil is discovered therein.

Rep. Solis replied that China is also claiming the whole of the South China Sea, including the Spratley Group of Islands even though the islands are 1,000 kilometers away from Mainland China. However, he stressed that the integrity and sovereignty of a particular territory would be affected once oil or natural gas is found in said area. He pointed out that it is good that the countries have signed a Declaration of Conduct for economic reasons without touching on the territory or boundaries of each country.

As he understands that the territory in question refers to the Spratleys or the Kalayaan Islands, Rep. Alfelor inquired on the number of islands involved in said territory and are supposedly being claimed and inhabited by Filipinos as compared to those supposedly claimed by other countries such as Vietnam and China.

Rep. Solis maintained that there are hundreds of islands located in the South China Sea that are near the Philippines, adding that he had lived in 10 to 12 of these islands in 1969. He however alleged that the Vietnamese occupy the islands whenever the Filipinos leave them so the latter are now left occupying five islands and the Vietnamese occupy two in the Kalayaan Island Group. He reiterated that China claims ownership of the entire Kalayaan Island Group in the South China Sea while Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines claim portions of the islands. He emphasized that the issue has to be resolved before oil is discovered anywhere in the disputed islands.

Rep. Alfelor inquired whether the Philippines has entered into an agreement, together with the other affected archipelagic countries, which resulted in the UNCLOS that was the basis for the country's claiming of a portion of the disputed island group.

In reply, Rep. Solis stated that the 1987 Constitution provides that the disputed Spratley Islands are part of the Philippine archipelago. This, as he disclosed that the Declaration of Conduct was only signed in 2002 to avert war in the area after China occupied the Mischief Reef even it is part of the Philippines. He said that among the eight countries pursuing the islands, the Philippines, China and Vietnam signed the Declaration as a peaceful means to settle conflict in the area.

On a related query, Rep. Solis affirmed that the three countries have entered into an agreement calling for the joint exploration or utilization of the resources in some areas in the Kalayaan Island Group. He however feared that a conflict may ensue if oil is found in the site because of the tripartite, scientific studies. He warned that the conflict will be more intense if oil would be found in the area.

Furthermore, Rep. Solis stressed that the Philippines should continue to pursue peaceful means of achieving its claim in the Spratleys. He urged the government to abide by the provision of the UNCLOS which sets November 2008 as the deadline for the country's submission to the UN of its territorial baseline. He commented that a bill to this effect has always been filed in Congress but to date, it has not yet been enacted into law. He maintained that a baseline law would strengthen the country's claim in the Spratleys.

He stated that all Philippine constitutions since 1935 have mandated Congress to define the territorial baseline of the Philippines. He informed Rep. Alfelor that firstly, a physical survey should be conducted so as to form a basis in formulating the baseline law. While he does not have the necessary figures regarding the funding requirements of defining the country's territorial baseline, he averred that the cost could be ascertained once Congress shall have approved the proposed law defining the country's territorial baseline.

Moreover, Rep. Solis revealed that Rep. Antonio V. Cuenco had filed a bill calling for a definition of the territorial basis of the Philippines and that bills of similar import have been filed since the Eighth Congress up to the present.

In reaction, Rep. Alfelor called on the House leadership to take cognizance of the necessity of enacting the law and for this purpose, he suggested that Rep. Solis draft a resolution to be signed by the Members concerned.

Rep. Solis clarified that he took the floor as a wake-up call for the Body to look into the matter immediately before it is too late.

In closing, Rep. Alfelor cited the need to resolve the issue immediately lest the Thirteenth Congress be blamed for the country's failure to pursue its stake at the Kalayaan Island Group.

As an answer, Rep. Solis noted that the country is on the verge of amending its constitution again even if it has not yet implemented the mandate of the present Constitution for the definition of the Philippine territorial baseline.

EXTENSION OF THE TIME OF REP. SOLIS

Upon a reminder from the Chair that the time granted to Rep. Solis had expired, on motion of Rep. Roque R. Ablan Jr., there being no objection, the Body extended the time of Rep. Solis for five minutes.

Thereafter, the Chair recognized Rep. Ablan for his interpellation.

INTERPELLATION OF REP. ABLAN

Rep. Ablan commended Rep. Solis for the latter's speech and agreed on the need for Congress to enact Rep. Solis' recommended measures. He then inquired whether Rep. Solis was aware of the Scarborough Shorelines which, being only 220 kilometers west of the province of Zambales, are still within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. He inquired how many miles is the Scarborough east of the Hainan Islands which are the nearest islands in the South China Sea to the Chinese soil.

Rep. Ablan explained that the Ilocanos are nearer to Thailand than the Chinese in Hainan Islands and that Zambales is nearer than Palawan to the Scarborough shores. He disclosed that the Hainan Islands is more than 400 miles from the Scarborough shore so it is important for the latter to belong to the Philippines.

In reply, Rep. Solis pointed that all the portions of the Spratleys within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone and 250-mile extended economic zone of the Philippine territory will belong to the Philippines as soon as the country defines its territorial baseline.
Whereupon, Rep. Ablan recalled that on May 17, 1997, some fishermen occupied the said island and that Admiral De Leon, the first flag officer in command, raised a Philippine flag therein.

Rep. Solis stated that he occupied some islands in the Spratleys in 1969 and even raised the Philippine flag therein but the Chinese claimed that even if the Filipinos occupied the islands in the 1900s, the islands still belong to China.

As a rejoinder, Rep. Ablan noted that this is also the claim of other countries but the Philippines is still the country nearest to the disputed islands.

As to the importance of the islands to the Philippines, Rep. Solis observed that the islands are important because of their military, socio-economic and political advantages.

Rep. Ablan disclosed that the Scarborough Shoreline, which measures 16 miles long and 16 miles wide, boasts of more than 2,500 species of fish, especially at low tide. He commented that the Chinese government is very much interested in the island because they can contact any radio station all around the world in this area. He recalled that China established a post in the place but it was dismantled by fishermen from Zambales and La Union who raised the Philippine flag therein on May 17, 1997. He underscored that the Philippine government must protect its territorial properties west of the Philippines not only to secure the country against invading forces but also to avert the dropouts of dangerous drugs coming from the South China Sea via small marine vessels from China that are dropped along Philippine shorelines from Batanes down to Mindoro. He advised that to address the drug problem, a Philippine Navy Command Officer should be stationed in the Spratleys to check on the movements of sea vessels.

In response, Rep. Solis stated that when he attended a seminar in Hanoi, Vietnam, he invited the Philippine Maritime Command to meet with their Vietnamese and Chinese counterparts and discuss the joint supervision of the area.

Rep. Ablan thereafter commended Rep. Solis for bringing up the matter so the House could act on the problem immediately.

In ending his interpellation, Rep. Ablan expressed hope that Rep. Solis will be with him not only in having the proposed Bill passed but also in trying to stop the flow of drugs in the country.
REMINDER FROM THE CHAIR

At this juncture, the Chair reminded the Body that the time of Rep. Solis had already expired.

Thereupon, on motion of Rep. De Guzman, the Chair recognized Rep. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri for his manifestation.

MANIFESTATION OF REP. ZUBIRI

At the outset, Rep. Zubiri manifested for the record that he has not touched any of the funds which Rep. Locsin had earlier mentioned in his speech. As a matter of fact, he said that he has a certification from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director that said funds which were supposed to be utilized for liquid fertilizers are intact. He likewise maintained that the Members who were included in the list may not have also touched said funds. He said that it would be too presumptuous to believe that if their names were in the list, they had used or touched the funds because in his case, he had never touched said fund which is still intact with the DA regional office. He added that he has a certification which he will produce and provide the Committee on Ethics the following day as evidence.

At this point, the Chair duly noted said manifestation.

Very Controversial

August 19th, 2006, 06:54 AM

We want more pictures. Finding GOOD pictures of this island on the internet is not that easy.

TheAvenger

August 19th, 2006, 08:53 AM

"Thus, he stated, the country?s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) goes 200 miles outwards of the base lines and that the country can claim an additional 250 miles more as an extension of the continental shelf if only the country would act early enough. Ironically, he stated that although the late Senator Tolentino had fought for said concept in the UN unfortunately, up to the present, the country has not fully taken the opportunity to fully claim and exploit the territorial rights that it has become entitled to while Indonesia has managed to declare Miyangas Island or Las Palmas off Saranggani as their own under the EEZ. He opined that the country can also do the same for the Kalayaan Group of Islands. "

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Palmasisland-Miangasisland.jpg

The Indonesians were able to control Palmas an island which is a part of the Philippines during the Spanish Era. Under the 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone stated in the International Law of Sea Conference of 1982, Indonesia
asserted it's right to control that Palmas island which they renamed Miangas.
They were able to incorporate that island recently ( more or less 10 years ago) without any objections from our country's leader.

How come our country cannot commpletely take control of Kalayaan islands group in the same principle as 200 miles EEC of the Law of Sea Conference
which Indonesia have done?

The reasons is this :

1. Indonesia is not afraid of the Philippines.

2. Philippines is afraid of China

3. Our Mutual Defense Treaty with the US is that they will help us if the agression come from our country's Pacific side. What country is on the Pacific except the US administered territory of Marianas and Carolines, and of course the US island of Hawaii.

Our govt. leader who signed that Mutual Defense Treaty in the year 1951 must be sleeping or they don't know geography or not even seen a map of the Pacific ocean.

4. The Philippines is economically and militarily weak. Not even have enough money to buy fuel for our Navy and Coast Guard to patrol our vast coastline.

5. Our country is weak in all front owing most of us especially our politicians don't love our country. If they love our country they will not commit corruptions and plunder our country.

JAMAICUS

August 19th, 2006, 08:58 AM

TheAvenger

August 19th, 2006, 09:04 AM

Pag-asa islands (Thitu island)
This is today satellite photos of Pag-Asa island, through the
Google Earth Satellite.

you can see the airstrip on the island which is built and pattern
like an aircraft carrier. it was built during the Marcos era. the airstrip
has an arresting gear like an aircraft carrier incase the jetplane's brakes
is slow in functioning.

Pag-asa island at 6,000 feet from sea level
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Pag-asaislandThituislandsatelliteph.jpg

Pag-asa island at 4,000 feet.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Pag-asaislandThituislandsatelliteph.jpg

Likas island (west york island) at 6,000 feet
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Likasislandwestyorkisland.jpg

Espma

August 19th, 2006, 09:08 AM

Espma

August 19th, 2006, 09:11 AM

^^ If this thrend continues with this political and diplomatic discussions... it is better to transfer this to the The Economy, Industry, Development Issues, News and Events sub-forum... the SSC is an urbanity forum...

and the thread Zobel dynasty?!!
mostly salacious gossips there!!
lol relax buddy its all good, suggest to move this thread to the moderator if it bothers you that much!

JAMAICUS

August 19th, 2006, 09:17 AM

^^ Are you shouting? I'm merely saying what I see and say what I suggests... if you don't like it fine... considering the fact "In Urbanity We Trust" is the theme of this forum...

Espma

August 19th, 2006, 09:27 AM

hehe I understand though, and I was just expressing a point...this thread is still in its infancy yet..u've reiterated your point more than once already...I was jus comparing it to the Zobel Dynasty thread...where I dont recall u suggesting for it to be moved somewhere else? It had several pages b4 it was...moved or deleted..don't know, don't care.

I thought u'd be happy after some postings of several pictures yet u kept yapping on.
You've made your point YES we get you..no point repeating it.

lol even if I was shouting or screaming..did you hear it?! lol...
u gotta relax seriously..

TheAvenger

August 19th, 2006, 09:28 AM

^^hahaha does it really bothers you that much?!!
OMG!!

Just wondering by the way...Malaysia's claim is it purely due to the fact that those islands are in close proximity to Sabah?! (a territory claimed by the PHILIPPINES as well?)

What is their basis?

I don't get how they can make claims, based on a territory THAT IS NOT OFFICIALLY THEIRS...thats just full on crap.

Makes me wonder what could've happened if Marcos succeeded in that attempt to take back Sabah by force...Extreme thinking I reckon, but during that era, the Philippines and Malaysia weren't exactly far apart economically...unlike now...

Really their basis is the UN International Law of the Sea Conference, and measured from the baseline or the continental shelf of Sabah. But eventhough
their claims overlap with our claims based on present national territory, the Kalayaan Island Group is outside the 200 miles from Sabah.

JAMAICUS

August 19th, 2006, 09:31 AM

Espma

August 19th, 2006, 09:34 AM

lol ur funny, alright, calm down....
no exclamation mark if that'll satisfy you...

peace?

JAMAICUS

August 19th, 2006, 09:37 AM

Peace...

Anyway...

I saw once in a GMA documentary that Philippine soldiers were all alone in one island defending the group of islands being clamed by RP in the spratlys... hmmm... it was one one heavy cement shelter/bunker I think... an only building on the island... hmm..like the ones in corregidor I think..

Espma

August 19th, 2006, 09:41 AM

Really their basis is the UN International Law of the Sea Conference, and measured from the baseline or the continental shelf of Sabah. But eventhough
their claims overlap with our claims based on present national territory, the Kalayaan Island Group is outside the 200 miles from Sabah.

hmmm sO if that's the basis of their claim...
what would happen WHEN Philippines successfully retake Sabah?! Two birds with one stone.....???

I dunno, I think their (Malaysia) claim is relatively weak, from the articles you've posted, It really seems the Philippines has the strongest argument among the claimants.....Philippines cannot let other countries bully "her".....countries like Vietnam will become more of a problem as it prospers....I mean considering the fact that they also have a relatively big military presence in the Spratlys (believing that they are defending it against China)

TheAvenger

August 19th, 2006, 09:59 AM

^^ If this thrend continues with this political and diplomatic discussions... it is better to transfer this to the The Economy, Industry, Development Issues, News and Events sub-forum... the SSC is an urbanity forum...

ur·ban·i·ty [ur bánnətee]
noun
sophistication: the quality of being sophisticated, refined, or courteous

ur·ban·i·ties, plural noun
courtesy: polite or courteous actions

[Mid-16th century. Directly or via French urbanité < Latin urbanitas < urbanus (see urban)]
Microsoft® Encarta® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

My dear friend, knowing that Spratly Group and the Kalayaan Group is a hotly contested area owing to it's strategic locations and very possible huge deposits of Petroleum, we can be sure that the topics here will turn to politics and diplomatic issues, and of course Nationalism.

And later on the topics here may involve our unequal mutual defense treaty with the US. The Americans will think first of their geopolitical interest in Southeast Asia before they can support us with regards to KIG and Spratly.

In the issue of Kalayaan group the International Law is with us.

In the Sabah issue we have the historical rights, which like the British is using historical rights in their claim to Falkland island in the South Atlantic
Ocean, which results to their war with Argentina.

jbkayaker12

August 19th, 2006, 10:19 AM

^^^RE: Sabah, the problem lie with our goverment lacking the political will to pursue the claim on behalf of the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate. Quite sad really that our government past and present, would worry more of straining our country's diplomatic relations with Malaysia than the well being of its very own citizens.

Espma

August 19th, 2006, 10:35 AM

^^so true ayy..I would Imagine the deportation of thousands of Filipinos in Sabah was enough incentive to actually show Malaysia...that they cannot push Filipinos around especially deporting them from a place which originally belonged to the Philippines in the first place....I remember reading about GMA threatening Malaysia to pursue the Sabah claim further..if Filipinos in Sabah are treated unfairly.

TheAvenger

August 19th, 2006, 05:52 PM

Kalayaan Islands Group of the Province of Palawan, Philippines

( inside the 200 miles Exclusives Economic Zones of the Philippines under the 200 EEZ principles of United Nations Conference on Law of Sea )

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http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/SPRATLY20ISLAND1.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/images35-1.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/images6.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/PAFatPag-asaairstrip.jpg Phil Airforce jet at Pag-asa airstrip

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Airstrip at Pag-asa Island (Thitu isl) - Satellite photos at 4,000 feet

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Pag-asa island - Satellite photo at 543 feet

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Likas island (York island)

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http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/wargamesoverKIGSpratly.jpg US-Phil Balikatan exercise at South China Sea
[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/occupants1996-1.jpg

Malaysia's occupied islands in South China Sea. They claimed through Sabah's 200 miles EEZ under UNCLOS.

( Sabah is leased by North Borneo Company from the Sultan of Sulu in the year 1877. Later in the year 1946 the British North Borneo company transferred it's proprietary rights to the British Crown. Later on the founding of the Federation of Malaysia in the year 1963, Sabah was transferred by the British govt. to the Malaysian.) About the year 1965 the Sultan of Sulu transferred the Sultanete's proprietary rights and sovereignty of Sabah to the Republic of the Philippines. )

(The region came under British control in 1877 when a British trading syndicate, later called the British North Borneo (Chartered) Company, obtained concessions from the sultans of Brunei and Sulu and other rulers in the region. The British North Borneo Company, under a royal charter granted in 1881, undertook the administration of the region. In 1888 North Borneo was made a British protectorate, but the company retained its administrative powers until 1946, when British North Borneo was proclaimed a Crown Colony. During World War II (1939-1945) the region was occupied by Japanese forces. When the Federation of Malaysia came into existence on September 16, 1963, British North Borneo, renamed Sabah, became a member state.
ALSO IN ENCARTA
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. )

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Vietnamese held islands of south china sea, claimed under 200 miles EEZ under UNCLOS which slightly overlaps the Philippines 200 miles EEC.

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http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/SongTuTaySouthwestCayofNorthDangerR.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/DaTayWestReef.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Yongshureef.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/VietnamrebuildSpratleyairport.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/SandCayisland-Spratly.jpg
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Taiwan Chinese held islands of South China, they claimed
under the original claim of China that it was shown in their ancient maps.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/images67.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/AmboynaCay1SPR1.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/TaipingDaoItuAbaIsland.jpg Itu Aba Island fortified by Taiwan

PRC China held islands of South China Sea, they claimed that it was shown in their ancient maps.

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http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/chineseheld.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/RacefortheSpratly.jpg
PRC Chinese fortress at South China Sea near Kalayaan Islands Group

[
[IMG]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Image351.jpg
PRC Chinese submarines on patrol at south china sea near Spratly

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PRC Chinese Naval vessel

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PRC Chinese weather station at Fierry Cross

le Reine

August 19th, 2006, 06:12 PM

I think the problem is that our DND secretary is afraid of CHina. According to my prof, during the Ramos time, there was a plan to build a landing strip there, same as in Pag-asa, but the DND chief sat down on the plan so it was never pushed through. If we would recall, the Philippines and China almost had an encounter there. Whew! Goodluck to our navy, I guess.

TheAvenger

August 19th, 2006, 07:01 PM

> > >pls scroll to the right > to see whole map > > > > > > > > >

South China Sea Oil Gas Fields

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/oilgasfields.jpg

Sinjin P.

August 20th, 2006, 06:49 AM

Are the Spratly Islands inhabited?

tigidig14

August 20th, 2006, 06:53 AM

^ if they have air strip, chances arent

anyway why does taiwan has their own island there ?

le Reine

August 20th, 2006, 07:28 AM

I don't know. They are one of the claimants but I think they onl managed to get a single islet. But it is the largest among the group. Please confirm on this. I think it's Itu Aba.

TheAvenger

August 20th, 2006, 03:48 PM

Are the Spratly Islands inhabited?

There were 27 civilians, some Phil Army, Phil Marines, and Phil Airforce personnel who maintained the airstrip which is used by the Philippine Air Force
like an aircraft carrier. I will post later if I can find again the photos of Pag-asa where there is some civilians and 1 policeman in that town.

TheAvenger

August 20th, 2006, 03:53 PM

^ if they have air strip, chances arent

anyway why does taiwan has their own island there ?

Taiwan used to claim that they were the real Chinese government of China
so they say they are securing the islands for the whole china.

Anyhow Chinese were Chinese whether they were pro Taiwan or pro PRC, they always agreed on matters that will benefit their Chinese people.
Unlike some Pinoy politicians and some elite Pinoy who don't mind whatever happened to our beloved country.

TheAvenger

August 20th, 2006, 04:10 PM

Articles taken from Internet.

China's Naval Strategy
The PLAN seeks to push its maritime defense perimeter further seaward. This change in operations will require newer, more modern warships and submarines capable of operating out to the Ryukyu Islands and into the South China Sea. At these extended ranges, the platforms will have to be better armed to enable defense from all methods of attack. The Navy has been conducting research and acquiring foreign technology in an effort to improve the broad range of naval warfare capabilities; it also is acquiring new classes of ships that will be better suited for operations out to the limits of the East and South China Seas.

The PRC believes that the greatest potential for sea conflicts might erupt at the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Thus, the “Emergency Mobile Force” is assigned to the East Sea Fleet and the South Sea Fleet. Although the North Sea Fleet has a better equipment, yet generally speaking, the total combat capabilities of the East Sea Fleet and the South Sea Fleet are superior to others.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is the naval branch of the Chinese armed forces. The 250,000-man PLAN is controlled through the Navy Headquarters in Beijing, which oversees the naval forces through its operation, political, logistics, and equipment departments. The Naval forces are organised into three major fleets: the North Sea Fleet headquartered at Qingdao, Shanngdong Province; the East Sea Fleet headquartered at Ningbo, Zhejiang Province; and the South Sea Fleet headquartered at Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province. Each fleet consists of a number of surface ship, submarine, naval air force, and coastal defence units. The South Sea Fleet also includes the Navy’s Marine force and its associated amphibious lift.

Until the early 1990s, the PLAN inventory included of a vast number of obsolete ships and craft, all of which were based on the 1950s/60s Soviet designs. The Navy began a major modernisation programme in the early 1990s by introducing modest numbers of new surface ships and submarines that incorporate large amount of Western technologies. This modernisation process was accelerated in the mid-1990s, mainly driven by the growing tension with Taiwan, and a possible intervene by the United States and Japan. This had led to the acquisition of Russian-made modern warships including four Sovremenny class destroyers and twelve Kilo class submarines.

Before the 1990s, the backbone of the PLAN surface fleet comprised 16 obsolete 3,250t displacement Type 051 Luda class destroyers and 30 equally obsolete 1,425t displacement Type 053 Jianghu class frigates. The PLAN built three new destroyers (two 4,300t Type 052 Luhu class and one 6,100t Type 051C Luhai class) and 12~14 Type 053H2G/H3 Jiangwei class frigates. These ships are fitted with the indigenous HQ-61 or HQ-7 short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, which could only provide very limited air defence capability. The PLAN also received two Russian-built Sovremenny class destroyers equipped with the more capable SA-N-7 medium-range SAM and 3M-80E (SS-N-22 Sunburn) anti-ship missiles.

A new round of shipbuilding programmes began in 2002 when Shanghai-based Jiangnan Shipyard launched four new destroyers, including two Type 052B Luyang class and two Type 052C Luyang-II class destroyers. The former is fitted with the Russian-made SA-N-12 medium-range SAM, and the latter features an Aegis-style phased array radar and vertically launched HQ-9 long-range SAM. Two Type 051C destroyers armed with Russian radar and S-300F/Rif (SA-N-6) long-range SAM was under construction at Dalian Shipyard. Additionally, the PLAN also ordered two improved Sovremenny class destroyers from Russia and received the first ship in late 2005. While the construction of Jiangwei class frigate continued, the PLAN also introduced two more advanced Type 054 frigates in 2005. These programmes brought the total number of the major surface combatants in PLAN service to 60~70.

The PLAN deploys over 60 submarines, most of which were based on old Soviet technologies. The PLAN acquired four advanced Kilo class diesel-electric submarines from Russia in the 1990s, and also built three indigenous Type 039 Song class diesel-electronic submarines. The PLAN ordered 8 more Kilo class submarines in 2002 and these submarines were scheduled to be delivered in 2005/06. The construction of Song class submarine continued with six more ships delivered since 2004, and a new design known as Yuan class by Western intelligence was also launched in 2004. The PLAN has also shown strong interests in pursuing the advanced air-independent propellant (AIP) technology to enhance the performance of its conventional submarines.

The PLAN has made some slow progress in building the new-generation Type 093 nuclear attack submarine (SSN) and Type 094 nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). The first ship of Type 093 was reportedly launched since 2001 and the ship has been under sea trial since late 2002. The submarine has been compared in performance to the Russian Victor III class, but the slow progress in the programme will likely steer the PLAN to continue relying on cheaper, more efficient, and less complex conventional submarines. The first Type 094 SSBN was reportedly launched in 2004 but the ship may not be ready for operational deployment for many years to come.

The PLAN aims to develop itself into a true “blue-water navy” that can project power beyond the first island chain (Aleutians, Kuriles, Ryukyus, Taiwan, Philippines, and Greater Sunda Islands) in the early 21st century. To support this strategy, the PLAN is building its first 65,000t-class aircraft carrier. The Navy’s new strategic threats include a possible conflict with the United States and Japan over Taiwan, as well as other potential conflicts with China’s neighbours over disputed territories in the East and South China Sea. The PLAN is still not a major player in the Pacific region, but the progress in its drive for modernisation over the past decade has been truly impressive.

By 2020 the PLAN may deploy a naval force with regional capabilities second only to the U.S. and Japan in East Asia.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/images3.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/images2.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/images1-1.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/images1-1.jpg]http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/181887a1.jpg[/IMG]

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/300px-Destroyer_sovremenny1.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/280px-PLAN_sailors1.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/280px-PLAN_Harbin1.jpg

I hope the Americans will help us and assigned these US Army to KIG.
For sure many civilians will follow and settled in Kalayaan Islands Group.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/soldier6.jpg

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Espma

August 20th, 2006, 06:16 PM

flesh_is_weak

August 20th, 2006, 07:01 PM

le Reine

August 20th, 2006, 07:24 PM

I think that's what US is worried about as well ay China is clearly flexing it military muscles...and the purpose is still quite unclear...

I guess that's why the Philippines cannot and should not jeopardize its relationship with the SEA neighbours...a united SEA maybe able to hold of China's unclear intentions...

That's why the Philippines has been silent with its claim over sabah and the spratlys. The Philippines could not afford to ignore its membership in the ASEAN. It is one of the major foriegn policy of the government. And certainly, it's riding behind the dragon's back for economic reasons, along with its nieghbors. The government would not dare get the ire of these countries, not now or not at all.

TheAvenger

August 20th, 2006, 08:00 PM

about sabah: wala na tayong magagawa dyan, dahil ang mga taga-sabah ay ayaw nang maging bahagi ng pilipinas--sino ba naman ang may gusto? eh kung ako nga ang papipiliin, sanay maging independent na rin kami...--mayroon kasing ginawang plebescite doon some time ago, at pinili ng mga tao doon na maging bahagi sila ng malaysia...yun din namang mga pinoy doon, eh pumunta ng sabah hindi dahil sa gusto nilang ankinin ito para sa pilipinas, kundi para maka-alis sa pilipinas at makapaghanapbuhay...lets face it, with the way things are here in the philippines, were going nowhere...

about that plebiscite in Sabah pls note that on that year of 1968 when the United Nations (kuno) held a plebiscite asking the natives there whether they prefer to join the Federation of Malaysia or prefer to be independent. pls note that British never asked the natives whether they want to be a part of the Philippines.

On that time the majority of Sabah populations were the natives Christian Kadazans, the Murots, Badjaos, etc, and few Malays from the Peninsula, few Chinese and few Indians/bumbay. Since the natives there has more contact with the Badjaos and Samals of Sulu, there is more reasons that they will prefer to join the Philippines so that they can be united with their kinsmen in Sulu.

Also please be reminded that during the UN Plebiscite (kuno) the British and
Australian forces were all stationed in Sabah. What can we expect, of course they will answer Yes, which is what the British and Australian forces want them.

A month before the UN Plebiscite on that year of 1968, I was there in Jesselton the capital of Sabah (now renamed Kota Kinabalu). In Jesselton I talked and interviewed the natives there, the Kadazans and Murots whether they prefer to be a part of the Federation of Malaysia, and they said they cannot answer. That is because the British and Australian Army is there. I was even followed by the Police in Jesselton when I interviewed the natives there, perhaps somebody inform them.

Actually Sabah is still a state and just a member of the Federation and anytime the State of Sabah can separate from Malaysia. In the 1970's the Chief of State of Sabah is Tun Mustapha and he also wants to separate Sabah from the Federation of Malaysia. Tun Mustapha is a Filipino from our
island of Cagayan de Sulu, though he was of Muslim faith he was educated in a Catholic school in Sulu or Mindanao. From a poor family he was able to rise up and became the Chief of State of Sabah during the turbulent years of 1970s when our government is suspecting Malaysia that arms from Arab states were being smuggled for the MNLF through Sabah.

Though Malaysia has a better economy than us, their country can be unstable in the future. Owing to the British colonial government of diluting the native population by importing foreign labors like Chinese and Indians. At present the Malay population of Peninsular Malaysia is only about 30 percent and they are the one in control of the government. The Chinese and Indians (bumbay) comprise the 69 percents and the 1 percents were of various nationalities. And also the Islamic fundamentalist is gaining ground in the northern state of Kedah and Kelantan.

If there is an economic downturn in Malaysia with present volatile mixture of Islamic fundamentalist and the Chinese and Indians taking hold of the economy, I am sure there will be a civil strife in that country. For your information, I can understand and speak a fluent Malay / Indonesia Bahasa language, and of course I can get gauge the real feeling of the local native populations in Peninsular Malaysia with regards to the Chinese and Indians
who were dominating their economy.

So, if there is a civil stripe in Penisnular Malaysia and if we have a strong military forces, then our country can reclaim back Sabah. With nearly a million Pinoy in Sabah of both Christian and Muslim from Mindanao and Sulu, together with the natives there, our country has a chance to regain Sabah by a quick attack like the Israeli. A quick attack or a guerilla warfare strategy is required owing Malaysia has a military defense treaty with the British and Australia.

About your sana ay maging independent din kayo, Federalism or an independent state for each province or regions is a big folly or kalokohan.

Even if the whole Visayan region became an independent country with Cebu as the capital, you will have more bigger problem with everything, defense, foreign affairs and etc.

Paano na kung ang whole Visayan region ay maging independent, ang mga
Visayan ba sa Luzon ay papauwiin na rin?

Paano na ang mga Waray from Samar and Northern Leyte, and the Ilongos, Antiquenos, Aklanons, etc ay ayaw mag pasakop sa mga Cebuano then sila din ay hihingi ng independence mula sa Republic of Visayas. (pls note that I have nothing against the Visayan dahil ang father ko ay taga Ormoc Leyte while my mother is from Bulacan, and I was born in Manila.

Though the situations in our country is going nowhere because of an unabated corruptions. Federalism or independence for each regions or island in our small archipelago is not the solution, and is a big nonsense and will result to disastrous situations for all of us Pinoy.

Our country's motto should be "Unity in Diversity - United we stand, Divided we fall.

TheAvenger

August 20th, 2006, 08:03 PM

deleted owing to double entry

le Reine

August 20th, 2006, 08:27 PM

Thanks for that info. I don't know that. Sabi ko na nga ba. At that time the Philippines was well well off compared to Malaysia. So I can't imagine why they would not choose us. But now, maybe they have thanked the heavens for choosing the "right" decision.

Askal82

August 20th, 2006, 08:31 PM

Kaya nagiging mahina ang Pilipinas kasi mga Pinoy mismo hindi nagkakaisa. Madaming awayan at dugasan ang nangyayari sa lahat ng antas ng lipunan. Tapos, kapag may mangyari na ang integridad ng teritoryo natin ay nasa panganib wala tayong magawa kundi umasa nalang sa iba dahil mahina nga tayo. Hindi na natuto.

TheAvenger

August 20th, 2006, 09:13 PM

From Malaya - The National Newspaper
Tuesday - June 27, 2006

BY VICTOR REYES

PAGASA ISLAND, Kalayaan Island Group. – Police Officer 2 Allan Remojo has accomplished a feat that other members of the 115,000-strong police force might not attain: Limiting the crime rate in his area of responsibility to almost zero.

In the five months that Remojo has been the one-man police force of Kalayaan town in Palawan, only one case has been recorded – alarm and scandal which is a non-index crime.

"He was drunk when he began shouting," Remojo said of the man involved in the alarm and scandal case. He said the man was brought to the police station for "safekeeping." The case was later resolved.

Gen. Generoso Senga, AFP chief, described Remojo as the "most efficient police force."

Senga on Saturday visited the troops stationed at Pagasa island, one of more than 100 islands making up the Kalayaan Island Group, or the Spratlys group of islands in the South China Sea.

Remojo received similar praise from other top military and police officials who accompanied Senga during the visit, including Senior Supt. Elpidio de Asis, Palawan police director, and Vice Adm. Tirso Danga, Western Command chief.

Kalayaan has only only 23 civilian-residents, including four children, all living in Barangay Pagasa. But a number of soldiers are stationed in the town. The AFP will not give the specific number for security reasons.

The Kalayaan Island Group is being claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei.

The Philippines occupies nine of the islands in the Spratlys, including Pagasa, Parola, Likas, Kota, Panata, Lawak and Pugad.

The nine barangays are collectively known as Kalayaan town. They were created by virtue of a presidential proclamation by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1978.

Pagasa, the largest among the Philippine-occupied islands, is one-and-a-half hours travel by plane from Puerto Princesa City.

The source of livelihood of Pagasa residents is fishing. The town relies on the P19 million internal revenue allotment from national government.

Please address comments and suggestions to the Webmaster.
COPYRIGHT 2004 © People's Independent Media Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------
From the Manila Standard Today
August 22, 2005

Promise of Pag-asa
By Angelina G. Goloy

Palawan, “the last frontier,” world-famous for the Tubbataha Reefs, St. Paul Subterranean River, Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary, Tabon Caves, as well as the exclusive Amanpulo resort, among other attractions, may add yet another spot to its list of unique, paradisiacal destinations.

The province’s youngest municipality, Kalayaan, which consists of seven islets and one reef, is making a bid to join the ranks of illustrious neighboring islands like El Nido, Coron, and Pamilacan to the north.

Hope for Kalayaan

Mayor Rosendo L. Mantes is pinning his hopes on Kalayaan’s sole inhabited islet and lone barangay, appropriately named Pag-asa.

Located 535 kilometers from the capital Puerto Princesa, the tiny 37.2-hectare islet is laced with beaches of fine, powdery white sand, “like Amanpulo’s,” Mantes proudly claims.

“The pristine area is also a good dive site, comparable to Tubbataha,” adds the mayor, who is waging a campaign to invite investors to explore Pag-asa’s potentials as an eco-tourist destination.

He has sought the assistance of the Department of Tourism in developing an eco-tourism program for Kalayaan.

In support of Mantes plans, Palawan Gov. Joel T. Reyes promised to issue an executive order creating the Kalayaan Development Council, which would coordinate all proposals and projects for the municipality, Mantes reports.

The opening last June of a cell site of Smart Communications Inc. on Pag-asa has given Mantes even more reason to be upbeat about Kalayaan’s chances of becoming Palawan’s next big discovery.

Kalayaan is not exactly unheard of. It lies along the Spratlys chain of islands, which is disputed by six claimant countries. The Philippine claim on the Kalayaan island group (in the western section closest to Palawan) is based on the 1956 declaration of Admiral Tomas Cloma, who discovered the uninhabited islands in 1947 and named them Freedomland.

Military presence

Except for one, the claimant countries have a military presence on the islands they occupy, making the area a flashpoint. Barangay Pag-asa itself has been the base of Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel.

But Mantes is determined to shed that reputation.

In 2002, following the declaration of a status quo in the area, he initiated the “civilian occupation” of Pag-asa in order to ease the antagonism toward the territory and eventually spur development.

Starting with his municipal government staff and their families, he enticed civilians to form a community on Pag-asa, providing for their food and shelter, even fishing boats. Supplies are replenished every two months when a Navy vessel drops anchor on Pag-asa in the course of its routine rounds of Kalayaan’s islets and Rizal Reef.

Today Pag-asa is small fishing community, well settled in, with vegetable gardens, a piggery, goat and poultry farm, cooperative store, deep well, water filtration plant, generator, and soon-to-operate solar power plant.

To pursue his plans further, Mantes has been aggressively seeking out potential investors to go into joint ventures with the local government. Soon a commercial fishing company will expand operations there, creating jobs.

Crucial to Kalayaan’s development is transportation. Besides the Navy vessel on patrol, no commercial boats or planes go to Pag-asa. The islet has a 1,260-meter-long airstrip, built in 1979 for the Air Force, and can accommodate only light aircraft, like PLDT’s nine-seater Beechcraft 200 plane, which flew in a group from Smart.

“That’s why we’re pushing for the joint military-civilian use of the airstrip,” Mantes said in a phone interview recently after a meeting at the Air Transportation Office in Manila. He mentioned that a few months ago, Air Bonanza proposed to fly in day tourists to Pag-asa. At present, the military restricts the use of the airstrip.

“With hope, we can secure an agreement on its use within two to three months,” he said.

Connecting to the world

With the Smart cell site (which was activated June 11, the 27th anniversary of Kalayaan’s annexation to Palawan) the country’s remotest municipality is now conveniently connected to the rest of the archipelago and the world, further increasing its attractiveness to prospective developers.

“The more remote the area, the more there is a need for communication facilities,” said Smart Public Affairs head Ramon R. Isberto, when asked why the wireless company put up a cell site there. “We’re proud to be part of Kalayaan’s development.”

Mantes’ strategy on Pag-asa (and Kalayaan as a whole) is similar to that of China and Vietnam, which have built structures on the Islands they claim.

“From Parola (one of Kalayaan’s islets), you can see the three-story buildings that have risen on Vietnamese-occupied Pugad island,” Mantes said in an earlier interview at the municipal extension office in Puerto Princesa.

“No reason why we can’t develop Pag-asa,” remarked the mayor, a Bicolano from Camarines Sur who was assigned to Pag-asa in 1986 as commanding officer of the Marines there and after retirement, ran for mayor of Kalayaan in 2001.

Mantes is confident that Pag-asa won’t go the way of other pristine areas that deteriorated after becoming hot tourist attractions. For one thing, the islet has a holding capacity of only 500—reason also that the growth of the civilian population, currently 356, is regulated.

That should be a plus factor for tourists, especially foreigners looking for exclusive hideaways from the madding crowd.

palawan_buddy

August 21st, 2006, 09:43 AM

currently, the Municipality of Kalayaan has an extension office in Puerto Princesa. There is no real community living there except the military. i remember that some people were invited to settle in one of those spratly islands but they found it difficult to live there bec of its distance from the main island.

Smart services one of the islands but it was only for advertising purposes.

even the municipality is allegedly used by people... kalayaan being a municipality receives annual budget, being a local government unit... but its officials do not really have much work to do (just imagine what they have to do)... there are no real constituents to speak of.. no basic services to provide..etcetera. and its officials do not need to stay in the islands.. except during elections when they have to vote.

i do not know how true this story or when it happened.. but...there were two candidates for mayoraly in Kalayaan. the second candidate, along with his companions/voters, did not make it in time in Kalayaan during the election.. so the other easilty won the election.

the municipality of kalayaan receives 19 million as budget (as provided in the article ^^). thats a lot of money for the needs of the 23 civilians who live there....

Sinjin P.

August 21st, 2006, 12:52 PM

A NEWSBREAK EXCLUSIVE: Exploring the Spratlys

RP sets aside territorial claims to look for oil deposits with China and Vietnam. This can be a ground for President Arroyo’s impeachment.

The diplomat draws invisible lines about three to four inches from the Palawan coastlines on the Philippine map. There’s no doubt, he says, that the Spratlys, “are nearest the Philippines than any other claimant countries." Yet, he says with a sigh drawn from decades of seeing the Philippines’ failure to establish its territorial claims, “it won’t be ours during my lifetime, not even my grandchildren’s lifetime."

Therefore “the way to go," he says, is play into China’s so-called common development strategy with neighbors, which President Deng Xiaoping first proffered in 1996. The Philippines did get onto the bandwagon and agreed initially with China, and then with Vietnam, to explore the Spratlys (http://community.middlebury.edu/~scs/macand/index.htm) for potential petroleum deposits.

On Sept. 1, 2004, the state-owned oil companies, Philippine National Oil Company (http://www.pnoc.com.ph/) and the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNOOC/), signed an agreement for a Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) in the South China Sea. On March 14, 2005, that agreement was superseded by a tripartite accord that included the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp. (http://english.people.com.cn/200511/20/eng20051120_222698.html) PETROVIETNAM. (http://www.petrovietnam.com.vn/Modules/PVHome.asp)

But NEWSBREAK (http://www.newsbreak.com.ph/) learned that involving other claimant countries didn’t seem necessary because several private companies have been exploring the Spratlys since the 1970s under the Philippine service contract system. These were known to other claimants, but no protest was ever filed.

http://www.gmanews.tv/webpics/081506a.jpg

The 142,886 square kilometers that the geophysical survey covers is very well “within our claims," acknowledges the diplomat, who requested not to be named because of the sensitivity of the topic. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) didn’t question the project when it was being negotiated because “it looked like it was a done deal." And it was: it had the blessings of Malacañang.

Should survey data confirm the long-held belief that large oil deposits lie in the seabed of the Spratlys, the estimates of reserves—from 2 billion to 200 billion barrels—could give the Philippines and its Southeast Asian neighbors, currently all import-dependent, a steadier oil supply at cheaper prices.

PNOC president Eduardo Mañalac, who was instrumental in forging the agreement, says that if such potential is discovered through the JMSU, the governments would hopefully consider settling the territorial dispute by negotiation so they can all partake of Spratly’s resources.
The agreement provides, too, that “the signing of this Agreement…shall not undermine the basic position held by the Government of each Party on the South China Sea issue."

The issue is not that simple, however. Legal and diplomatic experts say that by agreeing to what Mañalac calls “a purely commercial transaction supported by the respective governments," the Philippines may have effectively agreed to limit its sovereignty, even to give up its claims, over the Spratlys, which is locally called the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

These experts say that the agreement suffers from legal infirmities, and in some aspects goes against the Constitution. It could even be a ground to impeach President Arroyo.

flesh_is_weak

August 21st, 2006, 03:17 PM

flesh_is_weak

August 21st, 2006, 03:19 PM

TheAvenger

August 21st, 2006, 08:36 PM

the municipality of kalayaan receives 19 million as budget (as provided in the article ). thats a lot of money for the needs of the 23 civilians who live there....

now thats definitely a government post to die for...without a significant number of civilians to look after, and with virtually nothing to do at all, the mayor might as well be king...

Perhaps we can just say that budget is an exemption from the rules, we can
say that is an investment for a vast tract of our country's patrimony.

In one of the comment it was written that some ex residents of KIG complained of the distance, in which I think the Navy only sent transport once in a 2 months time. The problem of settler for KIG can be solved if the government can give a free transport once a week from KIG to Puerto Princesa and vice versa. The settlers can be given also a free house and subsidize food provisions. And we can charge all that as an investment.

I have researched in the Internet that we lost Palmas island (located south of
Davao) to the Indonesians because of the World Court decisions re settling the island of Palmas.

During the American occupation of our country, the case of Palmas island
(now named Miangas by the Indonesians) was brought to the International Court of Justice by the Americans against Netherlands for taking control of Palmas island.

The Court ruled that though the Spaniards discovered the island of Palmas
they never settled it. It means that the World court believed that possessions of a disputed territory is 90 percent of the Internationa Law.

So with regards to Kalayaan Islands Group. our government must occupy all our island inside our 200 miles EEC as per UN Conference of Law at Sea.
Or govt should sent our military to guard those islands and also to subsidize
the transport and livelihood of would be settlers in KIG.

That is a good investment rather than the politicians squandered all the money from taxpayers.

TheAvenger

August 21st, 2006, 10:27 PM

@esmember: lupet! grabe yung credentials mo ha... :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
easy ka lang dyan...hehehe...

btw, thanks for the info...so any plans for claiming sabah yet?

the political instability thing you mentioned, actually got me kind of excited...but i doubt that we'd have a decent enough military to take over sabah then...

About plans for claiming Sabah, it was already done before in the 70s, the Philippines even sent our Foreign Secretary to London to discuss with UK govt to let the World Court judge it. But it seems he was not even entertained by the UK foreign office top brass.

Actually on the year 1968 our govt and economy is even more better than Malaysia. Militarily our counry is stronger than Malaysia that time.

From the year 1965 up to 1970s there was civil stripe in the Malaya Peninsula and Singapore. They were on Emergency rule like a sort of martial law owing to rioting and killing between the Malays and Chinese. While in Indonesia the revolutions against Sukarno resulted to more than 1 million Chinese were massacred in the streets of major cities.

The British and Australian forces were also busy that time fighting the so called communist guerrillas in Sarawak and in Malaya Peninsula. Also Indonesian forces were operating in the border between Sarawak and Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). Population wise and literacy wise we are better than Malaysia. Malaysian economy is no better than the Philippines that time, since oil production in Sabah and Peninsular Malaya started only in the middle of 1970s. On the year before 1975 our country could just attack Sabah with little to worry about the British and Australian forces.

Though the British have stationed the Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier and a Battleship in the Sulu Sea that time. What can they do if that time we invade Sabah by small boats transporting our soldiers? The Battleship and Aircraft Carrier cannot operate in shallow water.

Present time - Malaysia

Of course at present Malaysia with their so many incomes from the Oil production from Sabah oilfields off the coast of Semporna, Tawau and other areas in Eastern part of Sabah, and from their oilfields in the east coast of Malaya they were able to modernize their armed forces. Now they have the latest naval gunboat with missile for operation in the shallow water between Sabah and Sulu, and the islands in the Spratly groups. Their Navy possessed the latest Naval ships that operate in deep sea, and their Air force has the latest Aircrafts bought from US, UK, France, etc.

Malaysia's military seems formidable at present, however they have bigger problems in their society and government, the Malays who were the 30 percents in the population of Peninsular Malaya were the one in control of the government, while the Chinese and Indians were the one controlling the economy, and they have Islamic militants gaining adherents in the northern part of Malaya in Kedah and Terengganu near the border with Thailand. Sarawak is different matter the natives there were not Malays but Ibans and Dayaks, and the economy was again controlled by Chinese just like in the whole Southeast Asia.

Population wise we outnumber the Malaysians and our people though were in constant political bickering, we are more cohesive than the racial tensions between Malay and Chinese in Malaysia particularly in Malaya Peninsula

Our main problem is only money, money to buy the hardware to strengthen our military forces. With strong armed forces we can get back Sabah. and don't worry about the ASEAN and the UN. Only in the beginning they will make all kinds of protest but afterwards after we showed that we have de-facto control of Sabah they will stop protesting. Anyhow the anticipated problems with the ASEAN and UN we can leave it to our diplomats.

The Awaken Dragon flexing it's muscle for her imperialistic design

About China though they seem to be a formidable enemy, I don't think they will make a full scale invasion of Kalayaan Islands Group and the Spratly group. In 1974 they were able to attack the Paracels and wrest it from the Vietnamese because the whole world knows that its distance from PRC island of Hainan and Vietnam were nearly same, so it's just a kind of problem between two neighboring countries

With South China islands it will be an invasion. An attack by China to KIG and Spratly may mean whole scale rioting against Chinese living in South East Asia especially in Indonesia where the local peoples hated the chinese control of Indonesians economy and here in our country.

With more than 5 millions Chinese living in Indonesia, the Indonesian will feel threatened by China and most probably Indoneisa will offer to send troops to help us. Japan will be threatened as they are also wary of Chinese imperial design in North Asia. Of course Vietnam who has a land border with China will be threatened.

US - A wild card

The United States will be forced to interfere especially they will lose face in Asia, since the whole world knows that we have a Defense Treaty with the US. But very few knows that that mutual defense treaty does not apply in
South China Sea.

I doubt PRC china will launch a full scale invasion of our KIG and the Spratly, it will worked against their own geopolitical and economic interest in Asia,

Our Russian card

Then we have the Russians who have its own border problem with China and have experienced fighting a border war before with China. Russia who was actively supporting North Vietnam during the Vietnam will be forced to take side against China.

Russia since the time of the Czar is in need of warm water port for their Navy. Owing their Naval Base in Baltic Sea port of Leningrad is unusable during winter, their Naval Base in the Black Sea is useless if there is a war against NATO countries, since the Strait of Bosporus in Turkey can easily be blocked by even one sunken ship.

So the Russians have only one strategic naval base which is located in Vladivostok in Siberia in the Sea of Japan, but during Winter sometimes it is also frozen and unusable. So the Russians needed a warm water port in South East Asia for the Russian Naval Fleet.

The Russian before is also eyeing the former naval base in Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam.

In our country we have Subic Bay which is deep enough for big warship and has an Airport fitted for heavy Military aircraft and in Mindanao the Davao Gulf is an excellent Naval Base and an Airbase, deep for big warship and a strategic base for an Air force.

In any war with China we can always ask the Russians to come in since the Americans were an unreliable ally. Perhaps we can allow the Russian to lease and use the former US Navy Base in Subic or we can ask them to lease and build their Naval Base in Puerto Princesa in Palawan and or in Davao Gulf.

Russian military power in South East Asia is good for counterbalance of China’s imperialistic designs in Asia.

The Americans even cheated us in 1951 when our govt leaders signed that unequal Defense Treaty. The Defense treaty with the US clearly stated that any war in the North Pacific against the US or the Philippines, the two countries will support each other.

It means that we have to support the US if they were attacked in the Pacific Ocean, while they will not support the Philippines if attacked from a country in
the South China Sea or from the north or south side of our country.

A very unfair treaty, the US is clearly using us.

ARTICLE IV
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.

The American administered territory of Marianas and Carolinas, and the US state of Hawaii in the North Pacific maybe attacked by an enemy forces like the Russians or by China.

But no country in the North Pacific will attack the Philippines. The Americans knowing that an attack against the Philippines will come from the South China Sea or from the North which is Taiwan or from the South which is Indonesia or from the southwest which is Malaysia, have make a Defense treaty with us specifying that the US will help us ONLY if the aggression comes from the eastside of the Philippines which is the Pacific.

Please see the below Mutual Defense Treaty and the map of Southeast Asia and the North Pacific Ocean.

Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines; August 30, 1951(1)

The Parties to this Treaty,

Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all Governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the Pacific Area,

Recalling with mutual pride the historic relationship which brought their two peoples together in a common bond of sympathy and mutual ideals to fight side-by-side against imperialist aggression during the last war,

Desiring to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that either of them stands alone in the Pacific Area,

Desiring further to strengthen their present efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific Area,

Agreeing that nothing in this present instrument shall be considered or interpreted as in any way or sense altering or diminishing any existing agreements or understandings between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines,

Have agreed as follows

ARTICLE I
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

ARTICLE II
In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty, the Parties separately and jointly by self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.

ARTICLE III
The Parties, through their Foreign Ministers or their deputies, will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and whenever in the opinion of either of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack in the Pacific.

ARTICLE IV
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.

ARTICLE V
For the purpose of Article IV, an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.

ARTICLE VI
This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.

ARTICLE VII
This Treaty shall be ratified by the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines in accordance with their respective constitutional processes and will come into force when instruments of ratification thereof have been exchanged by them at Manila.(2)

ARTICLE VIII
This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Either Party may terminate it one year after notice has been given to the other Party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Washington this thirtieth day of August 1951.
(1) TIAS 2529, 3 UST 3947-3952. Ratification advised by the Senate, Mar. 20, 1952; ratified by the President, Apr. 15,1952; entered into force, Aug. 27. Back (2) Instruments of ratification were exchanged Aug. 27, 1952. Back

Source:
American Foreign Policy 1950-1955
Basic Documents Volumes I and II
Department of State Publication 6446
General Foreign Policy Series 117
Washington, DC : U.S. Governemnt Printing Office, 1957

USMARC Cataloging Record

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Map showing location of Vladivostok's Naval Headquarter of the Russian
Navy's Pacific Fleet

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/emesber/Vladivostok95pct.jpg

flesh_is_weak

August 22nd, 2006, 06:22 PM

thnx for the info...malaysia could definitely use some good spanking for deporting those pinoys from sabah...if only politicians would start thinking like you, then our country would definitely be going somewhere by now...

although my dreams of secession remain unchanged, you've rekindled my desire to clamor for the philippines' right to own sabah...ironic?

TheAvenger

August 23rd, 2006, 05:37 AM

deleted

Sinjin P.

August 31st, 2006, 11:04 AM

Okay, can anyone confirm this?

Sourced from this thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=9802517#post9802517

well, Philippines is a third world (developing as others would put it) country and poverty is a sad reallity that we cannot deny. but the philippine economy is not really struggling. infact, the Philippine Peso was the best performing asian currency last year. inflation rate is steady at 7% and the GNP's annual growth rate is stable. our stock market is gaining. annual poverty rate is declining. also, the Philippines will start pumping oil next year (yes! in palawan). not bad for the former 2nd Largest Asian economy during the 60's (next to Japan).

yup! malampaya. my professor told us about that last month or so. the drilling is almost finished and they'll start harvesting natural gas next year. many are seing the philippines' potencial of becoming the major natural gas exporter in SEA.

vince_rilian

September 1st, 2006, 04:25 PM

medyo late ata yang balita ni bedista ahhh, matagal nang tapos yung drilling...

actually a few years na rin nag pupump ng natural gas ang pinas (3 yrs ba? teka, patay ako, nakalimot ko kung ilan na total, paputol putol kasi eh), matagal na actually na discover yung malampaya, lately lang nasimulan na yung pag pump(matagal rin ang paggawa ng structures na kinakailangan)

OIL??!?? what oil!?!? walang oil sa malampaya, natural gas lang...

updated naman kaming mga chemeng and petrochemeng jan.

_____________________

i miss palawan!!!!!!!!! i miss honda bay! luli island! starfish island! snake island! cowrie island! meara marina! most of all... pandan island!!!

habagatcentral1

September 1st, 2006, 04:32 PM

Palawan has already 2 World Heritage Sites, and the numbers are growing.

Coron Island Natural Biotic Area
Property names are listed in the language in wich they have been submitted by the State Party.
Philippines (Asia and the Pacific)

Date of Submission: 16/05/2006
Submission prepared by:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau

State, Province or Region:
Coron, Palawan
Coordinates: N11 48 to 12 00 E120 11 to 120 19
Criteria: (ix)(x)
Ref.: 5035

Description

Coron Island is roughly equidistant from Manila and Puerto Princessa City. The Island has a rugged topography, generally mountainous and its terrain marked by steep rock and ravines. Almost 70% of the area made up of rocky cliffs, 25% is rolling hills and 5% relatively flat. Out of the total area, approximately 18% is occupied by the Tagbanua as residential and agricultural lands, as rock formations almost dominate the entire area. Large area is composed of Karst formations where swiftlets dwell and build their nest (birds nest). There are vertical limestone cliffs that reach up to 600 meters above sea level and eight (8) brackish lakes and three (3) smaller one's that have underground connections to the sea.

Coron Island comprises two barangays, Banuang Daan and Cabugao, all of them belong to the Indigenous Cultural Communities. There are 373 households with a population of 2,028 individuals of Tagbanua in the Island. The primary users of the resources of the island are the residents of these two settlements. Majority of the residents of the two barangays are seldom seen in the mountains except for the gatherers of edible bird's nests on towering cliffs that serve as the major source of income for Indigenous people in the island. Coron Island is wedge-shaped limestone island, dominated by Permian Limestone of Jurassic origin, with few of its coastal areas being covered by mangrove forests. It is situated in the Calamianes group of Islands and belongs to the Municipality of Coron.

Some of the rare places not found in the regions are the fantastic and legendary lagoons which are wide, deep and with very clear water, interestingly nestled in one huge and rocky island popularly known as the Coron Islands. Encircled by giant walls of limestone cliffs, this jewel of a mountain, boarders the beautiful and wide Coron harbor, where more wonders of nature abide.

Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:

Consequently, on June 5, 1998 Coron Island was recognized as an ancestral domain with the issuance of CADC No. 134 to the Tagbanua. The claim which includes the Tagbanua ancestral fishing grounds, covered 22,248 has., operated via a framework management plan prepared by the aforementioned IP's.

Located in North Palawan in the Philippines, the entire island and associated offshore waters have been designated as Ancestral Domain (R04-CADC-134).

With the assistance of PAFID, the Tagbanua Foundation of Coron (TFCI) has produced its own Ancestral Domain Management Plan (ADMP).

Owing to the unique ecological features of Coron island, piling legal instruments have been issued purposely to protect this valuable resource. The island including its surrounding islets was first declared a National Reserve by virtue of Proclamation # 219 on July 2, 1967. In 1978, another proclamation # 1801 declared the island a Tourist Zone and Marine Reserve. This facilitated the transfer of the management to the Philippine Tourism Authority. This proclamation was followed by Proclamation 2152, declaring the entire province a Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve.Likewise, in 1990, a Community Forest Stewardship Agreement (CFSA) was issued by DENR to the Tagbanua Foundation of Coron Island which covered about 7,748 has. Finally, with the passage of NIPAS Act in 1992, it was listed part of the priority protected areas.

Comparison with other similar properties:

Coron Island compared to Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park has several unique features being the habitat of the Philippine Cockatoo, the edible bird's nest, the clean and sacred lakes and rock formations while Mts. Iglit-Baco NP has its Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) as its flagship species. While in Mt. Iglit, it is the Mangyan people who integrate with the local endemic tamaraw population, in Coron it is the Tagbanwa whose culture is intertwined with that of the swallows with their nests in the caves. Such edible birds nest caves are "owned" and maintained by in dividual families.

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area
Property names are listed in the language in wich they have been submitted by the State Party.
Philippines (Asia and the Pacific)

Date of Submission: 16/05/2006
Submission prepared by:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau

State, Province or Region:

Municipalities of El Nido and Taytay, Palawan
Coordinates: N11 14 00 E119 25 00
Criteria: (ix)(x)
Ref.: 5034

Description

The El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area is located on the north-western tip of the mainland of Palawan. In 1991, the Government of the Philippines proclaimed Bacuit Bay as a marine reserve. In 1998, the protected area was expanded to include terrestrial ecosystems and portions of the municipality of Taytay. It is now known as El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, which covers over 36,000 hectares of land and 54,000 hectares of marine waters. It contains towering limestone cliffs, beaches, mangroves, clear waters, unique forests over limestone and neat farmlands. It is home to five (5) species of mammals, including the Malayan Pangolin and 16 bird species endemic to Palawan including the threatened Palawan Peacock Pheasant, the Palawan Hornbill and Palawan Scops Owl. Bacuit bay is also home to the dugong, dolphins and marine turtles, many of which are threatened species. Colorful coral reef fishes are found here. Some of these are the: butterflyfishes, parrotfishes, wrasses, triggerfishes, angelfishes, surgeonfishes, damsel fishes, emperors,snappers, groupers and rabbit fishes.

In 1984, the then Ministry of Natural Resources issued a MNR Administrative Order No 518 establishing a 36, 000 hectare area in North-western Palawan as a Marine Turtle Sanctuary The El Nido Marine Reserve was expanded by virtue of DENR Administrative Order No. 14 Series of 1992, upon recommendations of the El Nido and Taytay Municipal Mayors to address livelihood opportunities for fishers. Proclamation No. 32 dated October 8, 1998 was passed to Congress for deliberation. Since 1989, several different government and non-government programs and projects have been introduced in the area.

Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:

In 1996, the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area was selected as one of the eight Protected Areas within the Philippines, to be included in the National Integrated Protected Areas Programme (NIPAP). The NIPAP was financed through a grant from the European Union (EU) with a progressively increasing contribution from the Philippines Government through the DENR. The overall objective of the program to help protect, conserve and manage natural habitats and biodiversity.

In 1989, because of a "Debt for Nature Swap" with the WWF, our El Nido, Bacuit Bay area became officially called a Turtle Sanctuary. Over the years, with shifting Government bodies & various lobbies for international grants, the UN came to Mother Natures rescue again. With the annual financial support of $US300,000 by the European Commission, the Department of Natural Resources established the "El Nido Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area Management Board " & a small (40 US cents) daily conservation fee is required to enjoy our reserve. Cash donations are also encouraged for those who can afford a little more.

Comparison with other similar properties:

The uniqueness of El Nido Reserve as compared with similar sites in the Philippines is that it partakes of the fact that the flora and fauna of the island of Palawan has affinities that are closer with that of the island of Borneo than those of the rest of the Philippines. This is due to the fact the geologically, the island of Palawan is connected to the island of Borneo and hence to mainland Southeast Asia as late as the Pleistocene Epoch. Due also to the relative isolation of the island from the rest of the country, its waters are pristine.

The Tabon Cave Complex and all of LipuunProperty names are listed in the language in wich they have been submitted by the State Party.
Philippines (Asia and the Pacific)

Date of Submission: 16/05/2006
Submission prepared by:
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)

State, Province or Region:
West Coast of Palawan
Coordinates: N 8-10 E 116-118
Ref.: 1860

Description

The Tabon Cave Complex and all of Lipuun Point is located on the west coast of Palawan. It is located on a limestone promontory which is visible from any direction for many kilometers and honeycombed with at least 200 caves and rockshelters. This point is called Lipuun by the local people but marked "Abion Head" on charts made from British surveys in 1851. The point is about 104 hectares in are and is formed by a number of rounded limestone domes separated by deep chasms.

The some 200 caves located in the limestone formation are collectively known as the Tabon Caves, after the main cave, called Tabon, so named after a megapode bird that digs its nest into the ground. This was the site to first establish the presence of humans in the Philippines during the Pleistocene. The different cave sites document through a corpus of C-14 dates a virtually continuous occupation between at least 50,000 years ago and ca. 9,000 BP, which have been widely cited (Bellwood 1997, Bulbeck 1981, Galipaud and Semah 1993) because the Tabon Cave is one of the very few sites in Southeast Asia to have yielded Pleistocene fossil Homo sapiens. The data provide new chronological data on the questions of Pleistocene Homo sapiens settlement on the margins of Sundaland.

The Tabon Cave, itself, is the site where possibly the oldest Homo sapiens sapiens fossil evidence in Southeast Asia in the form of a tibia fragment dating to 47,000+/- 11-10,000 years ago (IV-2000-T-97) has been found (Dizon et al, 2002, Annex 8). There are also a right mandible dating to 31,000 +-8-7,000 years ago (PXIII-T-436) and a frontal bone dating to 16,500 +- 2,000 years ago (previously dated to 22,000-24,000 BP). The dates are based on isotopic 230 Th/U 234 ratio. Another fossil mandibular fragment raises the issue of a possible colonization of Palawan by Pongidae during the Upper Pleistocene (16,500 +- 2,000 BP).

These caves contained an astonishing wealth and an extensive time-range of cultural materials: a flake tool tradition which dates from the Late Pleistocene and early post-Pleistocene periods including a highly developed jar burial complex which appeared during the Late Neolithic and continued on to the developed Metal Age; and finally, porcelains and stoneware indicating local trade with China during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. The excavations have revealed more than 50,000 years of Philippine prehistory and; south and East Asian relationships.

Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:

Palawan, on the southwestern side of the archipelago is a northeast, southwest trending long island that serves a natural bridge between Borneo, and thence to the mainland of Asia. Geologically it is part of the island of Borneo. In fact the flora and fauna are more related to Borneo rather than the rest of the Philippines. During the glacial periods, Palawan was a land bridge to Borneo allowing early man, fauna and flora to enter the archipelago. Due to its position, it is crucial to the movement of peoples and biota into Central and Northern Philippines.

Archaeological sites in Palawan have been reported even as early as 1922 when Dr. Carl Guthe visited the El Nido (Bacuit) area during the expedition of the University of Michigan (1922-1925). Four caves were excavated by this University. The finds were discussed by Dr. Solheim (1964a:81) in his study of the "Iron Age" in central Philippines. One of the caves was re-excavated by Robert Fox in 1965, which upgraded the site from an "Iron Age" to a Neolithic site. Mr. E.D. Hester, in 1932 and again in 1935 visited the Uring-uring area south of Brookes' Point on the eastern side of Palawan and recovered a sizable collection of trade ceramics dating between the 14th to the 16th centuries, coming from China, Thailand and Vietnam. IN 1962, Fox again re-visited the place a recovered similar materials. Even a superb gold ornament was found identified as a garuda image dating from the Indonesian Madjapahit period (13th-14th AD), although the associated materials are trade ceramics from China from the late 14th-16th centuries AD. In 1951, Fox recovered an early Neolithic oval adze from a Tagbanua community in the municipality of Aborlan.

The above finds comprised the matrix of data about Palawan until the systematic excavations conducted at Lipuun Point in 1962 by the National Museum, that verified the importance of these sites to Philippine and Southeast Asian Prehistory.

The integrity and authenticity of these sites are such that it is the National Museum of the Philippines that conducted the excavations which were partially funded by the Asia Foundation, National Geographic Society, the National Museum, the Research Foundation in Philippine Anthropology and Archaeology, Inc., and supported by many individuals from the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the National Science Development Board (NSDB), the National Institute of Science and Technology, The Social Science and Humanities Branch of the NSDB, local officials, even personnel of the United States Coast Guard LORAN station at Tarumpitao. The Institute of Geophysics, University of California at Los Angeles made possible the C-14 determinations for the Tabon Cave sites.

Comparison with other similar properties:

Niah Cave in northern Sarawak contains the oldest remains of Homo sapiens found in Borneo, excavated from layers dated to about 40,000 years. The 10-hectare cave also contained sequences of human occupation from the period around 40,000 years to 2,000 years ago. The cave was excavated by Tom Harrison from 1954 to 1962. The excavations, however, were never published in a comprehensive form. There are many doubts about the reliability of his stratigraphic interpretations and the age of the radiocarbon dated layers. Further excavations were done in 1976 to clarify the issues, but these remained unresolved. Succeedingly, a long term Niah Caves Project, a four year program of an interdisciplinary research, was started in 2000. Participating are universities from UK, Philippines, United States, Australia and Sarawak. The project is now on its third year headed by Professor Graeme Barker of the University of Leicester. This new project is an inter-disciplinary thrust which will include not only archaeology but also, settlement history of Southeast Asia, rainforest reconstruction, strategies for living, development of farming, sediment analysis, studies in ceramics, lithics, organic remains, archeozoology, archeobotany, isotope studies, etc.

There is no information as to whether attempts are being made toward the conservation of the Niah Cave sites since the initial excavations in 1954. Although, certainly artifacts, if not the site will be preserved. Protection is certainly a concern of the government and local peoples since this cave is also the site for resources like birds nests, where extraction is continuous.

On the other hand, the Tabon Caves of the Philippines at Lipuun Point, located in the island of Palawan which is geologically linked to north Borneo have been systematically excavated by the National Museum of the Philippines led by the late Dr. Rober B. Fox. The data has been published in many forms and cited by pre-historians involved in Southeast Asian archaeology. The radio-metric dates for the Tabon Caves sites, including that for the Homo sapiens sapiens tibia have also been published, with the latter with a positive date of 47,000 +- 10-11,000 years ago, which antedates the yet unverified 40,000 years for the "Deep Skull" of Niah Cave.

Source: WHC UNESCO
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/?pattern=&type=&state=ph&theme=&region=&order=&date_start=&date_end=

palawan_buddy

September 2nd, 2006, 09:16 AM

[QUOTE=vince_rilian]medyo late ata yang balita ni bedista ahhh, matagal nang tapos yung drilling...

actually a few years na rin nag pupump ng natural gas ang pinas (3 yrs ba? teka, patay ako, nakalimot ko kung ilan na total, paputol putol kasi eh), matagal na actually na discover yung malampaya, lately lang nasimulan na yung pag pump(matagal rin ang paggawa ng structures na kinakailangan)

OIL??!?? what oil!?!? walang oil sa malampaya, natural gas lang...

updated naman kaming mga chemeng and petrochemeng jan.

-----------------------------------------------------------
palawan does have oil. during the 70s or 80s, they have already extracted oil in palawan. if im not mistaken, the proceeds from the oil extraction was used to built the provincial capitol.

camago-malampaya gas field doesn't only have gas, but also oil. in fact, another company is making a study on how to extract it.

palawan_buddy

September 2nd, 2006, 09:26 AM

and yes, shell has been extracting and exporting gas from malampaya for years now. in fact, nabawi na nila ang puhunan nila. i do not know how much the company invested for the project but i do remember (and im sure of it) that it was the single biggest investment in the country's history.

i know someone who had been to the malampaya platform, and told me the extracted gas (aside from those transported to batangas via the pipeline) are being exported directly to singapore(im not sure of the country) from the platform... opinion..no way to know the amount of gas being extracted...

vince_rilian

September 2nd, 2006, 12:26 PM

owwwsss? yun ang hindi ko alam, na may oil, hehehe, siguro relatively konti lang, anyway, i stand/sit (type?) corrected, hehehe...

yup, the malampaya natural gas project is the single biggest investment in the philippines!

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 12:21 PM

first in a series of 6 pages:

page no. 6

QUOTE
to the rest, as per my proposal, we should not base MRFs wihtn the island, ALL OFFENSIVE WEAPONS SHOULD BE BASED AT PALAWAN, NOT PAGASA ISLAND. this might spark the militarization of the area as well as intimidation on our neighbors as well as china. please, please, please... only defensive weapons like AA guns and light artillery be based on pagasa island, SAR and transport aircrafts/helos and 3 OPVs for patrol duties not only to pagasa island but for the whole kalayaan group of islands (parang police lang ba). not intimidating but can send a message that says "hey, we're here to guard and protect our property" ganun lang.

peace to all!

The most important is what we want to do on PAG ASA Island and not what our neighbors might say or react.

We should not do action base from the free opinion of our neighbors. Just take care of our own interest for the benefit of the whole country.

Pag-Asa Island is long time known as Military base or detachment of THE PHILIPPINES.

Afraid of Arm race???? Our neighbors are already doing it, we are just the only country left behind.

China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan are improving their respective armed forces as fast as they can by acquiring sophisticated weapons on continous basis without bothering what would might their neighbors will react or say.

SO, whatever we want to do on PAg-asa island is our own decision and not our neighbors business. cheers. Peace to all.

Maybe we should install some BrahMos cruise missiles on the island...

Israeli,

LOL Yeah and to think that 'I' or 'We' can all actually post freely here on this Public Forum about the so secretive PA Island defenses. Or our fantasies of what they could be budget or none at all.

You'd think if the enemies of the State are watching they'd surely pick up on the fact that Posts on the other Forum were -deleted-. The other Forum being none other then the Government supported Forum. LOL

http://www.navy.mil.ph/links.html

NOTE: The website listed at the bottom of the Philippine Navy's official website.

Perhaps this Forum will be censored next?

LMAO

comrade Mercenary: actually, we really have to be careful and sensitive about we are posting here and in the other defense forums. we may think that our posts seem to be "harmless" but the truth is that they contain sensitive pieces of information that could be "hot" in the eyes of some lurkers here.

the PDFF and PDF are venues for us to express our opinions and suggestions about the Armed Forces of the Philippines but that does not mean that we can post anything that we want at the expense of national security. ;)

--------------------

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war." - Horace

QUOTE (
As I have said, the idea is very very good and I support it 1001% but you guys don't seem to get my point.

It does not matter whether its MERALCO OR NAPOCOR OR PNOC. What I am trying to emphasize is NO GOVT entity or office will be willing to put money on a project that will not have any return investment. Hindi maglalagay ng pondo ang gobyerno sa isang project na hindi sila kikita. yun ang point ko. Pwede silang mag finance ng solar energy projects dun sa mga barrios na marami ng tao pero hindi pa ina-abot ng Meralco/Napocor, kung maraming tao pwede silang maningil kahit konti para naman bumalik yun puhunan sa ginastos nila. E sa Spratly, ilang lang ang tao?

Page, there is no such thing as free anymore. Kahit sa Germany hindi pwedeng libre yun solar energy na pinondohan ng Govt. Users gets incentive yes agree ako dun, kahit dito sa States may incentive ang users ng solar energy. ikaw na ang may sabi " THEIR GOV'T IS EVEN COMMERCIALIZING THE USE OF SOLAR POWER TO ALMOST ALL OF GERMANY! "
sir, commercializing means To apply methods of business to for profit so panong naging libre yun?

sorry for the late reply top this topic... what i mean on the word "COMMERCIALIZING" is "ADVERTISE" or "TO PROMOTE"... still, if you could watch or do research regarding what germany is "promoting" on the use of solar panels for alternative electricity use you will see what i am talking about...

... peace to all!

QUOTE
The PC-7 is a tandem seat, turbo-prop, basic TRAINER, not a transport/utility aircraft. :)

For fantasy sake being their is NO funding my suggestions for suitable aircraft for Paga Saga are:

Maritime Patrol & Anti-Piracy -
(4) C-212-400 PATRULLA MPA - Twin turbo-prop all-weather, economical ($230 per flight hour costs) Maritime Patrol Aircraft equipped with 360-degree radar, turreted FLIR/Search light, low-light level TV system, and two fuselage hardpoints for two 12-round 70mm rocket pods, or FN Herstal .50cal HMG pods or even a pair of Sea Skuka radar-guided short range (9-mile) anti-ship missiles (think standoff range anti-piracy vessel killers keeping the aircraft out of range of AAA or even shoulder-fired SAM's. The Patrulla is in active useage worldwide with numerous nations in South America, Indonesia, and Europe. Best aircraft for the best overall - low costs. Three Patrulla's available daily would provide Paga Saga with a 24-hour, around the clock Maritime Patrol coverage out to say 100-miles offshore each aircraft flying an 8-hour mission.

Maritime Deterence & All-Weather Interception -
(6) F-5E TIGER III - We all know the capabilities of the UpGraded Israeli Tiger III's (Chilean Air Force models are most advanced), can be armed with Israeli Opher Infared quided 500-Lb HE Bombs, Sea Skuka ASM's, and rocket pods. Twin engine for safe over-water flights and realibility. Phil A.F. has experience with the F-5A so getting up to speed maintaining, training and operating the F-5E versions would be simple and straight forward. Four would be maintained on a 24-hour/+5-minute Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) two Fighters for interceptions and two for 'armed' Maritime Deterrence Missions. That leaves two Fighters down for maintenance daily.

Island Ground Air Defense -
HUMVEE self-propelled twin quad AVENGER SAM system - 4 units total would move daily into different positions around the Island.

(12) 40mm Bofors AA Guns in towed single mounts located in mini-batteries of four guns each to cover likely amphibious landing zones and for last-ditch generall AA coverage. These would be equipped with a FLIR tracker system and a Laser Range Finder/Pointer and battery powered auto traverse, elevation/depression as well as manual for emergency use.

Ground Defenses
(4) Self-Propelled Truck mounted twin MM 40 Block III EXOCET launchers for anti-ship/anti-landing craft destruction out a maximum 'effective' range of 30-miles. Truck mounted = survivalibility.

Then that tiny islet would be the most or shall we say the only well defended area, were leaving the mainland defenseless..

--------------------

Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence. — Winston Churchill

Yeah, well we can all DREAM, 'eh? LOL

Looking back on what I posted as far as the numbers and different types of aircraft, I believe the most Paga Asa could operate would be around a half dozen total given the base needs extra room for fuel storage tanks, hangers for doing repair work, staging area's, helicopter landing pads, etc. Not to mention ALL that defensive hardware I suggested! :)

I'd say three Beech King Air 350 MPA's and three Bell 212 SAR helicopters would be the ideal. Combined with a half dozen single barrel 40mm Bofors AA guns and two towed mini-batteries of M-101A1 105mm Howitzers totalling eight would be about it.

Reinforcement aircraft could be dispatched via a relatively short flight time from the 570th Composite Tactical Wing based at Palawan. Perhaps by the year 2020 the Phil A.F. would be able to forward base a half dozen F-16A Block 15 ADF's, a few STOL tactical transport aircraft, and a dozen or less medium lift commando support & SAR helicopters the latter being the same type. New Mi-17's or surplus UH-60A's.

But realistically, a couple of UH-1's is probably Thee most we can hope for in future.

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 12:30 PM

page no. 5

QUOTE
So you got my idea also comrade page money. But this is just a proposal and our visions for the future of the Pag-Asa Island. I hope they will give some consideration and adopt our ideas for the future of this place.

The Geological Activity and Research Station for Marine and other related fields will be a permanent station. They will be under the AFP command but a DOST equipments.

About the Solar Energy Plant in the Island. All i wanted to use is the German Solar Panel Concepts. A very realiable new cell panels that are being tested.. and all the buildings here will be filled by solar panels. or a wind farm will be established in the island about 10 platforms..

i certainly agree! very good proposal on the solar and wind power concept. yes as per watching from documentaries, the new solar panel being built by a german firm (forgot the name of the company) is the most reliable, as what i know one island here in the philippines uses this kind of solar panel (a grant from the german gov't with cooperation from the phil. gov't) to provide electricity to a town and/or small community. also, the use of wind power as another alternative for electricity will be very good for the island, and, as per sir israeli just said, the community within pagasa island will and can be a model community for other small towns in rural areas within the philippines (grabe, i thought i was the only one who is visualizing this, matagal ko ng pino-propose eto, but now marami na tayo and i hope our gov't won't turn a blind eye on this issue = thanks from you sie jammerjamesky).

i also agree with regards to marine research and other related fields that they are based on military buildings (sharing the cost for maintenance of the buildings) as well as building a relationship within the civilian and military community.

to the rest, as per my proposal, we should not base MRFs wihtn the island, ALL OFFENSIVE WEAPONS SHOULD BE BASED AT PALAWAN, NOT PAGASA ISLAND. this might spark the militarization of the area as well as intimidation on our neighbors as well as china. please, please, please... only defensive weapons like AA guns and light artillery be based on pagasa island, SAR and transport aircrafts/helos and 3 OPVs for patrol duties not only to pagasa island but for the whole kalayaan group of islands (parang police lang ba). not intimidating but can send a message that says "hey, we're here to guard and protect our property" ganun lang.

peace to all!

QUOTE

i certainly agree! very good proposal on the solar and wind power concept. yes as per watching from documentaries, the new solar panel being built by a german firm (forgot the name of the company) is the most reliable, as what i know one island here in the philippines uses this kind of solar panel (a grant from the german gov't with cooperation from the phil. gov't) to provide electricity to a town and/or small community. also, the use of wind power as another alternative for electricity will be very good for the island, and, as per sir israeli just said, the community within pagasa island will and can be a model community for other small towns in rural areas within the philippines (grabe, i thought i was the only one who is visualizing this, matagal ko ng pino-propose eto, but now marami na tayo and i hope our gov't won't turn a blind eye on this issue = thanks from you sie jammerjamesky).

The exact location was El Cajon CA, near San Diego. The technology was developed by 80+ year old German couple. They bring the concept when they migrated to the US.

This is there wbesite: http://www.pyronsolar.com/US/index.htm

For me the development of this kind of solar panel lalo sorrounded by the water and isang place ay talagang akmang-akma sa isang island na katulad ng Pag-Asa.

Wind Farm Station off coast of Pag-Asa (this might be possible also) Germans are establishing this farm station in German North Sea and Baltic Sea.

This are some photos

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/Windpark031.jpg

Although we have already an wind farm in ilocos area. why not try this off shore wind farming. Some of the related threads is found in the other part of the forum.

QUOTE
It seems the Ammo Bunker is surrounded by important facilities and buildings like housing, radar, hangar,joint command center, radar etc, etc. How deep underground your ammo Bunker??

Ammunition bunkers are constructed in a very specific conditions. There are factors to be consider in the construction of the said facility. I think its not proper to discuss the details of the ammunition bunkers coz there are other watchfull eyes observing our discussion. The construction of the PAF ammunition bunker in Clark. It was a huge construction effort by the PAF and under the FILDRAVO Consurtium. Specifications is other matter already. Pls. understand that specifications should not be going to be discussed lalo na ang isang proposal.

Those lay outs shown are subject for revision and specific locations may vary if this will push thru. I never been in that area to be able to have a good design of structures lalo na sa Pag-Asa but it should be properly observed and studied by the designers that will carry out the development in the future. There are factors to consider lalo na sa isla na malayo at complicated ang issue.

It's a very good idea to have solar or wind powered energy source. But the question is, WHOS GONNA PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE? To give an example, a 12 sq inch solar panel is about $80.00 this size panel can run an 8 inch 12volts fan cost is about $9.00 if you need to make it run at night then you need a battery and a charge controller add this 2 components and you're looking at about $250.00 at 55 in pesos that is PHP13,750.00!!!

Oviously to run more appliances means adding more solar panels and batteries, we're not even adding the cost of Power Inverter to convert DC to AC

If we're thinking about setting up this power source in a populated island then maybe the govt or someone else may provide the funds because there is a return in their investment, they can charge the people living there kahit na minimal amount lang, pero talking about Pagasa island, IMHO the govt will probably say puro sundalo lang naman ang nandun bayaan mo sila, they can manage!!??

QUOTE
It's a very good idea to have solar or wind powered energy source. But the question is, WHOS GONNA PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE? To give an example, a 12 sq inch solar panel is about $80.00 this size panel can run an 8 inch 12volts fan cost is about $9.00 if you need to make it run at night then you need a battery and a charge controller add this 2 components and you're looking at about $250.00 at 55 in pesos that is PHP13,750.00!!!

Comrade xx Have noticed that China has been adopting the renewable energy program in Northern Part of China? Specifically the Wind farm and Solar cell panels.

Where does this technology came from?
They came from Germany thru a technology transfer effort goverment to government negotiations to power the northern portion of inner mongolia in the desert area. They made manufactured their own prop's (made from fiber glass) and turbines provided by germany with the supervision also of German engineers in the installation of the platform.

Same with the solar cell panels their is an alternative(aside from polysolar product) new solar cells technology also developed in germany and ready for distribution in African country's at a cheaper cost. China is already making a local manufacturing industry of the solar panel's from a german company. I saw already some of the Solar cell project that the German Aid Agency is implementing in ou country. Some of the government offices has solar installation(anong govt. offices ang meron? NIA has one, Department of Energy rural electrification program also tap at the German Technology). Effort lang ang kailangan po. Serious leadership!

The Renewable energy program that is currently implemented by the present administration they can utilize the german technology transfer for the solar and wind energy. To note that there is a new Renewable Energy Corporation under the leadership of Peter Abaya(former Dept. of Energy Undersec.)That the future of this Project to power the island is very bright.

Who's gonna pay for the infrastructure?
This should be funded by our own government. This is a vital installation for the future that their should be no one be involve in the financing of the project lalo na foreigners(lalo na chineese government, even though they offer a low interest loans at the rate of 2-2.5% rate for 20 yrs). Ito lang ang dapat nating gawin. Tayo dapat ang magbantay sa atin bakuran di yung iasa sa ibang tao at bansa. This is an investment in the form of security and disaster preparedness. The island should be developed in the future. In the development of the facility entire the island there must be a top level of security to be carried

I TOTALLY with YOU 1001% pero ang GOVT ba natin agreeable?? malaking question mark?? di ba? Yun sample ko, that was the cheapest brand dito sa home depot pero pag i convert mo sa pesos malaking pera din. Dito binibigyan na rin ng attention ang renewable energy, PG & E (Meralco diyan) pa ang front liner sa project. E diyan sa atin why is it that Meralco wont even adopt the idea? kasi nga malaking pera ang kailangan para maging viable ang project and it will take a lot of time before they can break even on the cost. So even if the govt considers this kind of project I think they will do it someplace else that is really withing the PI territory, tamo yun sample mo, the chinese are adopting the project in Northern China, nasa China pa rin at wala sa Spratly right?

About the MERALCO's matter i think they are more on the Electricity Distribution than in the Electricity Creation and Transmission.

PNOC-EDC and the new Renewable Energy Corporation is the right government agency that is now taking incharge of this type of energy harvesting process.

PNOC has a wind farm already in Ilocos region and one of the implementing agency of the rural electrification programof the government. I remember also the PNOC-EDC installed the solar panels in a remote area in mindanao. The project is supported by the german government aid agency until now.

QUOTE (

I TOTALLY with YOU 1001% pero ang GOVT ba natin agreeable?? malaking question mark?? di ba? Yun sample ko, that was the cheapest brand dito sa home depot pero pag i convert mo sa pesos malaking pera din. Dito binibigyan na rin ng attention ang renewable energy, PG & E (Meralco diyan) pa ang front liner sa project. E diyan sa atin why is it that Meralco wont even adopt the idea? kasi nga malaking pera ang kailangan para maging viable ang project and it will take a lot of time before they can break even on the cost. So even if the govt considers this kind of project I think they will do it someplace else that is really withing the PI territory, tamo yun sample mo, the chinese are adopting the project in Northern China, nasa China pa rin at wala sa Spratly right?

sir , meralco is only the DISTRIBUTOR, napocor are the ones SUPPLYING the electricity (they operate the generating plants), as well as other generating plants operated by other electrification company under DOE-ERC-NAPOCOR.

now why meralco doesn't want to support or adopt the idea? because CUSTOMERS LIKE US WILL BE INDEPENDENT ON ELECTRICITY, if we're independent on electrcity, NO MONEY WILL FLOW TO MERALCO, IN RETURN NO MONEY TO PAY FOR NAPOCOR WHOSE SUPPLYING ELECTRICITY. why? because of the example of what the german gov't did to users of solar energy in their country, THEY GET INCENTIVES (-IN TAXES AND THEY DO NOT PAY ANYTHING FROM THE ENERGY SECTOR) AND THEIR GOV'T IS EVEN COMMERCIALIZING THE USE OF SOLAR POWER TO ALMOST ALL OF GERMANY! why? BECAUSE, AS WHAT WE CALL IN OUR ISO14001 PROGRAM, OF RESOURCE DEPLETION (generating plants uses the ffg fuels resources: bunker oil/diesel, water/hydro, coal, etc.). reduce your dependency on electricity from these generating plants by using solar energy and you REDUCE THE DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND EVEN PARTICIPATED IN CLEANING AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL. that's what the german gov't is doing now.

now, for the idea of putting-up or setting-up solar panels in remote islands LIKE THE SPRATLY'S, it's a very good feasable project? why? because of many reasons:

1. will be less dependent on fuels (oil/diesel)
2. you protect the environment withn the area (no spills/leaks from fuel tanks, no pollutants in the air, etc.)
3. you create mutual cooperation (in economic and political terms) with the german gov't (grants, tech-transfer, etc.)
4. creates additional jobs here in the philippines (SUNPOWER INC., a manufacturing plant here in laguna, just in-front of our plant, manufactures solar panel, and take note: these are exported to europe and the US)
5. a pilot project to other rural areas that electricity cannot be supplied by either meralco and/or rural electrification board

... and many, many more!

i know this is way-off the topic but i have a question to all of you: if not for solarpanels and wind-farm station to produce electricity WHAT KIND OF POWER UNIT TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY IS FEASIBLE FOR THE SPRATLY'S / KALAYAAN GROUP OF ISLANDS? (include economics)

... comments pls.

As I have said, the idea is very very good and I support it 1001% but you guys don't seem to get my point.

It does not matter whether its MERALCO OR NAPOCOR OR PNOC. What I am trying to emphasize is NO GOVT entity or office will be willing to put money on a project that will not have any return investment. Hindi maglalagay ng pondo ang gobyerno sa isang project na hindi sila kikita. yun ang point ko. Pwede silang mag finance ng solar energy projects dun sa mga barrios na marami ng tao pero hindi pa ina-abot ng Meralco/Napocor, kung maraming tao pwede silang maningil kahit konti para naman bumalik yun puhunan sa ginastos nila. E sa Spratly, ilang lang ang tao?

Page, there is no such thing as free anymore. Kahit sa Germany hindi pwedeng libre yun solar energy na pinondohan ng Govt. Users gets incentive yes agree ako dun, kahit dito sa States may incentive ang users ng solar energy. ikaw na ang may sabi " THEIR GOV'T IS EVEN COMMERCIALIZING THE USE OF SOLAR POWER TO ALMOST ALL OF GERMANY! "
sir, commercializing means To apply methods of business to for profit so panong naging libre yun?

He Visited the KIG already.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/Front1.jpg

Armed Forces chief Gen. Generoso Senga tests the waters around Pagasa island during a weekend tour of its facilities and various development projects being implemented by the military’s Western Command.

AFP wants Pagasa isle developed vs terror

The Philippine Star 06/26/2006

PAGASA ISLAND, Palawan — Armed Forces chief Gen. Generoso Senga is keen on developing Pagasa island, particularly the military facilities, to enhance the capability of Filipino soldiers in fighting terrorism.

On a visit last Saturday, Senga said he wanted the Rancudo airfield developed for military aircraft and a docking area for Navy ships built to prevent them from hitting sand bars like what happened to the BRP Benguet two years ago.

Senga said although Pagasa is quite far for regular military training exercises, the island could be used to enhance the fighting skills of elite Armed Forces units such as the Navy’s Special Warfare Group (SWAG), which is similar to the US Navy Seals.

"We are visiting this place as often as we can, for us to see the situation of our troops here, their living conditions, how they maintain their facilities, as well as (get a feel of) morale, in case they have morale problems and concerns," he said.

Senga said he was happy to note that soldiers assigned on the island, some 580 nautical miles west of Manila, maintain a high morale.

"This is our so-called last frontier, that is why we do this," he said.

Senga said while issues surrounding the claims of China and Malaysia over the Spratly islands in the South China Sea would be solved through diplomatic means, these countries should study the possibility of jointly developing these areas.

Instead of fighting over the Spratlys, he said the claimant countries should just help each other explore and tap the natural resources for everyone’s benefit.

The Spratlys, believed to sit atop vast oil and natural gas deposits, are claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. All, except Brunei, have military troops on the islands they occupy.

Senga said that the Armed Forces Western Command headed by Rear Adm. Tirso Danga has asked the Department of Budget and Management for funds to improve military facilities at the Kalayaan group of islands, particularly communication and other needed facilities.

Military units in Pagasa also regularly patrol the waters off the island against pirates, who have reportedly killed Chinese fishermen last May, he added.

Pagasa island spans 32 hectares and is home to the Air Force’s 4th Tactical Operations Wing and a unit from the Naval Forces West. — James Mananghaya

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606260405.htm

The PC-7 is a tandem seat, turbo-prop, basic TRAINER, not a transport/utility aircraft. :)

For fantasy sake being their is NO funding my suggestions for suitable aircraft for Paga Saga are:

Maritime Patrol & Anti-Piracy -
(4) C-212-400 PATRULLA MPA - Twin turbo-prop all-weather, economical ($230 per flight hour costs) Maritime Patrol Aircraft equipped with 360-degree radar, turreted FLIR/Search light, low-light level TV system, and two fuselage hardpoints for two 12-round 70mm rocket pods, or FN Herstal .50cal HMG pods or even a pair of Sea Skuka radar-guided short range (9-mile) anti-ship missiles (think standoff range anti-piracy vessel killers keeping the aircraft out of range of AAA or even shoulder-fired SAM's. The Patrulla is in active useage worldwide with numerous nations in South America, Indonesia, and Europe. Best aircraft for the best overall - low costs. Three Patrulla's available daily would provide Paga Saga with a 24-hour, around the clock Maritime Patrol coverage out to say 100-miles offshore each aircraft flying an 8-hour mission.

Maritime Deterence & All-Weather Interception -
(6) F-5E TIGER III - We all know the capabilities of the UpGraded Israeli Tiger III's (Chilean Air Force models are most advanced), can be armed with Israeli Opher Infared quided 500-Lb HE Bombs, Sea Skuka ASM's, and rocket pods. Twin engine for safe over-water flights and realibility. Phil A.F. has experience with the F-5A so getting up to speed maintaining, training and operating the F-5E versions would be simple and straight forward. Four would be maintained on a 24-hour/+5-minute Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) two Fighters for interceptions and two for 'armed' Maritime Deterrence Missions. That leaves two Fighters down for maintenance daily.

Island Ground Air Defense -
HUMVEE self-propelled twin quad AVENGER SAM system - 4 units total would move daily into different positions around the Island.

(12) 40mm Bofors AA Guns in towed single mounts located in mini-batteries of four guns each to cover likely amphibious landing zones and for last-ditch generall AA coverage. These would be equipped with a FLIR tracker system and a Laser Range Finder/Pointer and battery powered auto traverse, elevation/depression as well as manual for emergency use.

Ground Defenses
(4) Self-Propelled Truck mounted twin MM 40 Block III EXOCET launchers for anti-ship/anti-landing craft destruction out a maximum 'effective' range of 30-miles. Truck mounted = survivalibility.

israeli Posted: Jul 2 2006, 01:41 AM

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comrade Mercenary! it is very nice to see you here in PDFF. hope you post more often here as well.

--------------------

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war." - Horace

QUOTE (
to the rest, as per my proposal, we should not base MRFs wihtn the island, ALL OFFENSIVE WEAPONS SHOULD BE BASED AT PALAWAN, NOT PAGASA ISLAND. this might spark the militarization of the area as well as intimidation on our neighbors as well as china. please, please, please... only defensive weapons like AA guns and light artillery be based on pagasa island, SAR and transport aircrafts/helos and 3 OPVs for patrol duties not only to pagasa island but for the whole kalayaan group of islands (parang police lang ba). not intimidating but can send a message that says "hey, we're here to guard and protect our property" ganun lang.

peace to all!

The most important is what we want to do on PAG ASA Island and not what our neighbors might say or react.

We should not do action base from the free opinion of our neighbors. Just take care of our own interest for the benefit of the whole country.

Pag-Asa Island is long time known as Military base or detachment of THE PHILIPPINES.

Afraid of Arm race???? Our neighbors are already doing it, we are just the only country left behind.

China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan are improving their respective armed forces as fast as they can by acquiring sophisticated weapons on continous basis without bothering what would might their neighbors will react or say.

SO, whatever we want to do on PAg-asa island is our own decision and not our neighbors business. cheers. Peace to all.

--------------------

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and reality of tomorrow.

But in some reason we should be more moderate in our development. Pag-Asa Island is not an exclusive military base already. It was declared already as a independent municipality and part of Palawan Province. Any military development/build up in the area is also an agenda of the Local Government Unit of Pag-Asa.

Although they have a separate power but i think it is a big deal to the LGU of this island if there is any military development to be carry on.

IF there should be a very important project to be implemented as soon as possible;

1. Improvement of the Runway

2. Construction of Naval Dock/Pier

3. Electrification Program

4. Coast Watch Station and Radar Station (if possible it can also be used for weather observation)

5. Base Facility Improvement (New Housing/Barracks, Multi-Purpose Bldg, Bunkers, Water and Power Station, Hangar, and Repair bays)

6. Defense Weapon Installation

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LordCarnal

September 5th, 2006, 12:33 PM

damn those countries who are claiming Philippine territory..

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 12:48 PM

page 4 :

QUOTE
My proposal would be: 6 MiG 29Ms on the Pag-asa island along with radar systems,mobile SAMs and a small naval base (with SSMs of course) and an additional 10 MiG-29Ms in Palawan, greater naval force and maybe also at least 12 F-20s

hindi kaya masyadong agressive move etong proposal mo sir marschall? and does the MiG 29 has a STOL version? hindi kaya your sending the wrong message to our neighbors? baka lumaki lalo ang tension within this region...

can anybody look into my suggestion:

for pagasa island base:

1. PC-7 STOL for utility/light transport aircraft
2. S-76 or Bell 412 helos for SAR/patrol/light attack
3. KingAir350ER STOL for maritime patrol
4. mobile short or medium range radars + communication
5. 20mm/40mm AA guns
6. improve runway of the base
7. improve overall faciltiy of the base
8. construct a pier and small naval base
9. assign 3 OPVs (like in the falklands)
10. construct coast watch stations manned by PCG
11. asssign 1 reinforced marine battalion
12. assign PAF airbase security contingent

for palawan base (to support spratly island):

1. assign small contingent of MRF
2. long range radars + communication
3. assign another 1 reinforced battalion of marines as reserve in case the spratlys needed additional troops if war arises
4. assign 1 naval group comprising 1 MRV, 2 OPVs 4 IPVs + logistic ships/LST

just a point to ponder... peace to all

NEW Pag-Asa Satellite Pictures

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/tmp99012ic1.jpg

Central Portion of the Island

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/tmp99012ic1.jpg

Building areas 1

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/centralfacilityoftheisland9us1.jpg

Building areas 2

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/housingandbarracks9fe1.jpg

Pump boat

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/pumpboat8om1.jpg

Damage Portion of the Runway

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/runwaydamageportion2gs1.jpg

PN LST

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/pnlstonvisit6ng1.jpg

Any Reaction Guys?

i read in comrade Manokski's website that the PAF intended to base some of its F-8 Crusaders in Pagasa during its heyday. in fact, they had redesigned that landing strip into something similar to an aircraft carrier wherein F-8s will catch the arresting cables for them to land safely in Pagasa.

however, i beg to disagree to have combat aircraft based in Pagasa. doing so might spark a conflict among the nations that claim the Spratlys. the "safer" way to do things will be to have those combat aircraft based in Palawan (multi-role fighters, KC-130 aerial tankers and CN-235 or C-212 MPAs) while there will be regular flights of CN-235s and/or C-212s to and from Pagasa.

--------------------

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war." - Horace

As what ive been telling before. Even we are not going to put an Combat unit the first thing to do is

1. we must repair first the runway to cater Maritime Patrol Aircraft, C-130's (safety)and the runway must be extended to be able to land an MRF for future purposes (about 2500- 3500 ft extension).

2. Build a pier in the Island to give way to handle a bigger vessels to be stationed.
Plus possible detachment of the Philippine Coast Guard.

3. Then developed properly the area with descent equipments such as Coast Watch Station and Radar. No problem with civilian communication coz globe and smart has already installed a cellsites.

4. And lastly Build a defense system in the island.

QUOTE
hindi kaya masyadong agressive move etong proposal mo sir marschall? and does the MiG 29 has a STOL version? hindi kaya your sending the wrong message to our neighbors? baka lumaki lalo ang tension within this region...

The Mig-29 is an aircraft that doesn't need a really long runway compared to other jets of its class...
Sending the wrong message??? Yes perhaps but the military peresence of all other claiming nations in the region-especially of China-isn't actually any different.
We would be just sending one message: KEEP OUT OF PHILIPPINE WATERS!!!
The MIGs wouldn't be there to attack any vessels beyond our borders--so why bother?!
I'm sure the Chinese will boost up their military presence there first because they actually rely on the mentalyity of other nations that try to avoid conflicts...

Maybe it's also be enough to station some smaller aircrafts on the island thouch--but Palawan has to have more MiGs and some F-20s/Gripens...

BTW I's propose every RP island in the region get some SAMs and some SSMs to protect them against any possible agressors...

I disagree with the idea of putting emplacing comabt aircraft there on a long-term basis because it would further intimidate other claimants especially the Chinese. Besides, combat aircraft there are juicy targets for air and missile strikes.

If we do plan to put fighters on regular patrol in the area, Bautista is the better place to put them in. However, Pagasa can serve as an emergency landing strip for aircraft within that area.

Aside from Patrol planes, we should also station there SAR aircraft as well as Coast Guard patrol boats.

Further fortications like SAMs and even artillery won't hurt

--------------------

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This will be my own simple interpretation how PAG-ASA island would be in the future.

Im just using my personal experience on the structural construction and development.

Sensya na comrades u can still correct this proposal.Im glad if u could give your personal analysis also.

page mcney Posted: Jun 19 2006, 12:29 PM

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i agree with sirs tora^2, israeli, and jammerjameski! as alos my proposal, only transport, patrol, SAR aircraft and helos should be assigned or based at pagasa island, if you based combat aircraft at the island you will eventually spark a an arms race within the area, not only china but from other claimants as well..

.. nice pictures sir jammerjameski! also very good idea on the expansion of the said base. question: what are the small green circles outside pagsas island? are these auxillary watch station?

also, where should be the ideal location for AA/SAmdefence as well as artillery within the island?

i agree with sirs^xxxxxx ! as alos my proposal, only transport, patrol, SAR aircraft and helos should be assigned or based at pagasa island, if you based combat aircraft at the island you will eventually spark a an arms race within the area, not only china but from other claimants as well..

.. nice pictures sir jammerjameski! also very good idea on the expansion of the said base. question: what are the small green circles outside pagsas island? are these auxillary watch station?

also, where should be the ideal location for AA/SAmdefence as well as artillery within the island?

QUOTE
.. nice pictures sir jammerjameski! also very good idea on the expansion of the said base. question: what are the small green circles outside pagsas island? are these auxillary watch station

Those are special water sensor's and instruments (e.g. floating bouy's or other weather detection instrument's) that will be installed around the vicinity of the Pag-Asa Island.

My vision for the island also is not a purely Militarized since it was already declared as a tiny municipality in KGI area i want also the area to house a AFP/DOST controlled relay system for weather detection capability. NDCC/DOST/PAGASA currently tap its weather detection in the US in the Pacific region.Then South China Sea will be controlled by us given with enough fundings for equipment purchases.

very good suggestion! actually that's also my suggestion, basing also civilian/gov't offices/institutions like pagasa and dost. also, good suggestion on the wind and solar generation plant, i didn't think of that before

also some suggestion if its ok: include marine geology and marine life research personnel + hydrographic survey of KGI.

more power!

So you got my idea also comrade page money. But this is just a proposal and our visions for the future of the Pag-Asa Island. I hope they will give some consideration and adopt our ideas for the future of this place.

The Geological Activity and Research Station for Marine and other related fields will be a permanent station. They will be under the AFP command but a DOST equipments.

About the Solar Energy Plant in the Island. All i wanted to use is the German Solar Panel Concepts. A very realiable new cell panels that are being tested.. and all the buildings here will be filled by solar panels. or a wind farm will be established in the island about 10 platforms..

Posted: Jun 21 2006, 11:09 PM

the idea to have the entire community and military outpost in Pagasa be powered by solar energy is great indeed. Pagasa could even be a model community in terms of using environmentally-friendly energy sources.

there must be significant improvement in the capability to host military aircraft and naval vessels in Pagasa. aside from improving the existing airfield and control tower, there must be at least two hangars that can be used to hold military aircraft with a maximum size of a C-130 Hercules. there must also be a pier that can be used by vessels such as LCMs or LCUs, missile boats and patrol boats.

as for "defensive weapons", a number of upgraded M101 howitzers, anti-aircraft gun such as the RH-202 and the Zu-23, and several shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles must be provided to the soldiers posted in Pagasa and other Philippine-controlled islands.

--------------------

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war." - Horace

Posted: Jun 22 2006, 01:50 AM

Nice effort sir jammerjamesky...

well i dont disagree with you guys on your plans to repair, upgrade th defenses, base MPA's and Coast guard units in the post but for me i just dont want to put SO MUCH things in that small and isolated island aside from its role as a forward observation post because its very hard to defend in case of a full scaled attack..even if its ladden with AAG's and SAM's..the position is just too unstable.. imagine guys? i prefer putting our offensive assets in Palawan... well thats what i think of..
--------------
Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence. — Winston Churchill

Your vision for making the small community Pag-Asa Island into a weather detection capability is such a wonderful idea with Naval and PAF detachment.

A good Radar installation will serve as a watchful eyes on our territorial interest as well some parts of the country.

Other concern is the position of Ammo bunker.

It seems the Ammo Bunker is surrounded by important facilities and buildings like housing, radar, hangar,joint command center, radar etc, etc. How deep underground your ammo Bunker??

HOw about putting SAM or Anti aircraft gun on top of those Multi Purpose building and Joint command center??

A small contingent of MRF base in that area should be housed in HARDENED HANGAR, with complete facilities to maintain the plane. Peace to all.
--------------------

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and reality of tomorrow.

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 12:59 PM

page no. 3

Ideal Aircraft station in Pag-asa island
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edwin Posted: Sep 5 2005, 03:41 PM

QUOTE
are you crazy, putting the most expensive and counter-strike capabities on the disputed island is a suicide. 2 DF-15 missiles armed with fragmented explonsive dispenser will renderly disabled or destroyed, any facilities and equipment within 1200 sqmeters of the island.

Then what is the best plan do you have in mind to safeguard our territory??

Putting a radar system that can track and detect 360 degrees on any incoming crusie missiles or MRF to the Island will make such preparation to counter those threaths. Besides, putting a LONG range radar with a combination of STOL MRF and SAM Batteries will serve as a forward defense for our country.

With good Air defense batteries and Anti aircraft gun plus STOL MRF, I think you dont have to worry about those dispenser ammunition, MRF or cruise missiles attack on the island. Peace to all.

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and reality of tomorrow.

Sep 6 2005, 08:06 AM

In the establishing of a better stand off position in the island of Pag-Asa it includes a defense planning measures. We cant put expensive arsenal and equipments there, just to show force ,but to gain control on the bases that we are on the EEZ of our country. It is necessary for our government to exercise its right to established a security forces on that group of island. I just picture out in my mind how near the chineese structure in the island of Palawan and they were visited often by their naval vessel. Their are incidents were cited in the Kalayaan group of island which involve our Home forces. The action made by the government to create a small island municipality was a good move. Creating a community in the islands is one also of the strategy of keeping out those chineese invaders in the philippine territory. In reality of our country's national defense we are under budget constraint in which there plenty of pending acquistion of modern equipments are still to be purchased.

Lets give way also a PCG station in the Pag-Asa island. In a sense that they are a law enforcement body and its there task to hunt down pirates. Together with the fleet of the PN it will be able to coup up with their task. And stationing an aircraft in the island is not impossible try to look at the diego garcia island in which US and Britsih government operated.They've done a thorough improvements and it shows that it is possible to have an aircraft in that island.

: unlike Diego Garcia, Pagasa is part of a disputed island chain among six countries. if we are to put fighter aircraft or even anti-aircraft batteries in Pagasa or any one of the islands and reefs that we claim, it might aggravate the already vulnerable situation the Spratlys and might suddenly spark a war that the Philippines will surely cannot contain.

my idea will be to base the fighter aircraft, transport aircraft (C-130s and CN-235s and C-212s or M-28 Skytrucks), aerial tanker aircraft (KC-130s) and maritime patrol aircraft (CN-235MPAs or M-28 Bryzas) in Palawan while we establish a radar station and, yes, a Coast Guard or Navy outpost in Pagasa.

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war." - Horace

. In reality of our country's national defense we are under budget constraint in which there plenty of pending acquistion of modern equipments are still to be purchased.

There are plenty of pending acquisition because our Politician does'nt have any sense of decision and duty for the welfare of our country. Peace to all.

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and reality of tomorrow.

But did you know guys that the year 2005 the goverment save a certain amount from the last years proposed national budget.hope that the governmet will use the surplus amount in proper way and it will be added to AFP budget.

Let's hope that the 2006 Fiscal budget will be approved immediately so that the AFP as a whole can pursue their respective task in acquistion of equipments and as well as in dealing in our national security.

But did you know guys that the year 2005 the goverment save a certain amount from the last years proposed national budget.hope that the governmet will use the surplus amount in proper way and it will be added to AFP budget.

Let's hope that the 2006 Fiscal budget will be approved immediately so that the AFP as a whole can pursue their respective task in acquistion of equipments and as well as in dealing in our national security.

guys, I read in the Philippine Star that the " HONORABLE SENATORS" plans to cut the budget of the AFP and the PNP for the San Mateo Raid..

Wala na nga budget pambili gamit, i-cut pa nila.. 05

are our senators really capable of doing anything right at all!!! i think they want to get executed by some really pissed-off military guys

If i was chosen by the military guys who wants to execute some of this senators, will i want to volunteer first,and to be the first in line. I want to shot them in their respective butt. Instead of kicking them in thier ass.

They should be neutral in terms of the budget hearing look what had happened in this country "wala pa nga ang business agenda wanga na". They should do their job in actions not by words.

what u guys want to start a cu de ta well the fighter for me is f8 crusader

The senators are afraid that any additional cent given to the AFP will not go to the troops for weapons, equipment and training.

It will allegedly go the same route as the Congressman's Pork and other funds allocated to Her Excellency's office - to be used merely for clandestine political spending. It will only be used to fund ops to spy on the Administration's rivals and to assassinate them or to rig the next polls.

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I'd go for MiG-29Ms and some SU-27s (STOL capabilities) and of course some SAMs scattered all over the place.

I'd go for MiG-29Ms and some SU-27s (STOL capabilities) and of course some SAMs scattered all over the place.

su27 is way too old mig29m is better then su27

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any filipina gils for me :)

page mcney Posted: Jun 16 2006, 05:48 PM

yes it is a well known fact that pagsas island has amilitary base long before other islands within the spratlys has, it was constructed by the japanese during WW2. ideally, it is not suitable to base fighter planes at pagasa because it will send a wrong message to our neighbors that we are "militarizing" the area and may create some larger conflict. but we have to guard our islands against the other claimants especially the chicoms as well as reported "pirates". with this, this is my proposal:

for pagasa island base:

1. PC-7 STOL for utility/light transport aircraft
2. S-76 or Bell 412 helos for SAR/patrol/light attack
3. KingAir350ER STOL for maritime patrol
4. mobile short or medium range radars + communication
5. 20mm/40mm AA guns
6. improve runway of the base
7. improve overall faciltiy of the base
8. construct a pier and small naval base
9. assign 3 OPVs (like in the falklands)
10. construct coast watch stations manned by PCG
11. asssign 1 reinforced marine battalion
12. assign PAF airbase security contingent

for palawan base (to support spratly island):

1. assign small contingent of MRF
2. long range radars + communication
3. assign another 1 reinforced battalion of marines as reserve in case the spratlys needed additional troops if war arises
4. assign 1 naval group comprising 1 MRV, 2 OPVs 4 IPVs + logistic ships/LST

any other suggestions?

My proposal would be: 6 MiG 29Ms on the Pag-asa island along with radar systems,mobile SAMs and a small naval base (with SSMs of course) and an additional 10 MiG-29Ms in Palawan, greater naval force and maybe also at least 12 F-20s

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 01:17 PM

page 2

QUOTE
harriers plus maybe some of this scattered around the island;

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/Humvee_Avenger_US_Army_Bhana_2002_0.jpg

SAMs on Humvee?
Very possible considering our current capability.

Dont forget the MRFs though.

Gripen and F18 as STOL for Pag-Asa island? Good choices!

" Fight for the ultimate manifestation of a genuine freedom! "

" People don't care what we know until they know we care. "

How about SU35s? Canard foreplanes give it STOL capability

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Right now if "ONLY" im the Commanding General of the PAF one of my project will be the continuation of the old Proposal in the Island. PLus some of these

1. Expand the Length and Width of the Runway.Improve also the pavement ( 12" of new over layed pavement).Plus arresting gears
2. Additional Hangar for the planes in the island.
3. Control Tower And Coast Watch Tower in the near islands.
4. Missile Defense System, More Bunkers And a landing dock/pier
5. Elecronic Communication System.
6 Barracks Improvement, Bay Areas for vehicles and Command Center
7. Transform these island like diego garcia island as fully opertional naval and air base.having a navy ships and planes stationed here will be a better stand off position.

Even if what kind MRF's will be seen in the future the island is already in great shape for them to launch and land.

I don't know if this is true but rumor before has it that some of our "Tora-Tora's" were assigned there when they were "phased out". I had doubts on that phase out statement as I spotted several of them still doing flights for several weeks after that was released to the press. Our school kasi has a view of the domestic airport field.

Anyway, I'd vote too for either a Gripen or a modernized F/A 18. Maybe if there's a naval version of the F16 that would be nice (what happened to that A16 idea?). But for practical reasons I'd rather have a C130 or its smaller versions there. And the C130 redesigned to float on water like a seaplane. Our MRFs on a modified tanker or container ship (the container ship being faster but the tanker has double hulls) turned into a carrier so it could be tasked to other missions too. But the runway indeed at Pag-asa must be improved and so with the aircraft shelters plus navigation and detection equipments.

Reason why I don't want MRFs at Pag-asa is that I don't want us to pose as a threat to our neighbors. The C130 and its smaller brothers would do well enough for transport and even patrols. Yet, with the "carrier" we could project a statement that though we are peace loving we mean business if any threatens us. Plus we get to send the MRFs to other places too transported by the carrier.

This post has been edited by

basing combat aircraft in the Rancudo Airfield, whether those aircraft are modern MRFs or even rocket-armed OV-10s, may pose an image of "aggression" that the Philippines might pose against the other Spratly claimants.

what i want to be done in Rancudo is to have the facilities there improved to "accomodate" C-130s. CN-235s and C-212s (the CN-235s and C-212s are must haves for the PAF, replacing the Fokker F-27s and N-22s) and "combat aircraft" such as MRFs.

the combat aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft, along with a C-130B converted into a KC-130B tanker must be based in Palawan while Rancudo will see regular trips of C-130s, CN-235s and C-212s.

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war." - Horace

QUOTE (
But given the airstrips proximity to other islands occupied by other claimants, i'd rather put these expensive jets in Bautista AB and protect the base with SAMs.

If that is the case then, id rather get the MRF instead of these VTOLs.

Pag-asa airstrip? I would use it for tourism-related activites and rescue operations instead.

Emergency landings for PAF assets near that area is also a good consideration.

I'd put a coast guard station on Pag-asa, with SAR helicopter support facilities.

This post has been edited by

AFP equipment: Have we really taken care of the basics?: http://timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=3842.0

might not be possible at all to base combat jets at Rancudo: a high percentage of their airframes are made of aluminum, seawater will corrode their bodies with prolonged exposure. and how do the people there get fresh water anyway? what do they use to clean runways and equipment?

War. What is it good for?--James Brown

What's love got to do with it?--Tina Turner

Only the intelligent are brave.

Late to add more details but Sir Possible has already hit the points I want to raise. I've been researching a bit on my free time about what MRFs might be ideal for our PAF. That's when I came across some bugging facts about the MiG 29. From what I gathered its a nice machine in itself but doesn't seem to suit proper MRF role. I guess its because it was designed differently. Also, the Malaysians are having a hard time with theirs despite the upgrades theirs already had. One was that it wasn't meant for tropical conditions and that despite the upgrades it was still seemingly inadequate for their purposes. But what bugs me is that the African report states that the MiG 29s bought there is seemingly performing well. I guess it might be just the advertisers at work as the Cuban pieces is also seemingly just in their hangars. Service support being a great difficulty too.

Anyway, even with Israeli help in upgrading the MiG 29s which the Russian makers would surely contest as in the MiG 29 Sniper program we are then left with either European and American models to choose from. I negated the ChiCom option as I doubt if their quality control is yet that good. From reports in Iraq the ChiCom armored machines Saddam bought from China were mostly junk by then. If only our politicos and officials would stop lining their pockets with public funds we can surely afford these new MRFs. Not just the old F5s that Korea is said to be selling off. But we have to make sure these MRFs would last in our kind of conditions. Like our F8s which are the best that we had it didn't last long because of our tropical conditions (napansin ko nga hangar natin bulok at hindi yun talagang bagay na shelter for such important assets).

The Gripen is nice especially as it was meant to be serviced mostly by conscripts with limited expert help. But will it survive our conditions? The F/A 18 is a naval aircraft hence no doubt it will last our environment. The only bad feedback I know about it comes from those Australian pieces which had problems about their engines and the seemingly inavailability of spares as the Americans got first dibs especially during the Iraqi invasion. The F 16 is a possible candidate in my opinion save that we would probably need to update it to our requirements (possibly along the A16 specs that was to be meant for the Navy back then). Maybe the Rafale M is we can afford those (have no idea yet if there's a naval version of the Eurofighter).

As for our Pag-asa field, we would probably need to set it up like a carrier's deck. With arresting wires and barriers. From what I heard from commercial pilots landing at Baguio its like landing on an aircraft carrier except of course it doesn't have wires and barriers.

I'm aiming for a C130 for now or its smaller siblings modified to seaplane capability (I recall there was such a concept) as those could land and taxi up the island if need be. And since those are modular too and being props they could serve as our immediate maritime patrol for now. As offensive weapons I remember that the Americans developed items for it.

QUOTE (
. The F 16 is a possible candidate in my opinion save that we would probably need to update it to our requirements (possibly along the A16 specs that was to be meant for the Navy back then). Maybe the Rafale M is we can afford those (have no idea yet if there's a naval version of the Eurofighter).

As for our Pag-asa field, we would probably need to set it up like a carrier's deck. With arresting wires and barriers. From what I heard from commercial pilots landing at Baguio its like landing on an aircraft carrier except of course it doesn't have wires and barriers.

sir,
F-16 needs a long runway to take off specially with heavy payload. If really our officials have the intention on fielding combat aircraft in pag-asa island , it must have the capability of short take of landing(STOL) landing.

Correct me if im wrong, Pag-ASA island is already a long time military base of our country and putting MRF or any other military aircraft will not convey a message of aggrression to our neighbors. The place is strategic and we have troops in the area since Marcos time. Peace to all.

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and reality of tomorrow.

Pag-Asa Island is Full blown municipality with a base/detachment of navy and marines personnel.reviving the old plan for island,the expansion of the tarmak and some upgrades in the pavement plus arresting gears will be put is the only way to let the F-16 can land and take off. But first like the other fellows stated i agree of giving way to a coast guard station here. 3 vessel will do already (if only). and the development of a pier/ docks will be great.

For me:

1. six (6) S-211 Recon Jets with AAM and ASM.

2. Four (4) Upgraded and Modernize F27 with the capability to carry Harpoon anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.

3. A dock/pier for which can handle 3 8, 000 tons(ENDURANCE LSD, Frigates, OPV's) ships and 5 1, 000 tons (Jacinto, Typhoon and PKM's).

4. 4 Bofors 40mm AA

5. 4 Humvee-equiped SAM

6. 2 CN235 STOL for transport and 2 for AEW.

7. 300 fully loaded and battle ready marines

8. logistics and supply.

9. more trees and plants for camouflaged

bantay kalikasan will provide that for free

are you crazy, putting the most expensive and counter-strike capabities on the disputed island is a suicide. 2 DF-15 missiles armed with fragmented explonsive dispenser will renderly disabled or destroyed, any facilities and equipment within 1200 sqmeters of the island.

Its a necessary action of putting such developmental plans in terms of military actions. Its has known already that the island is a military base since then, but no proper set up of its defense capabilities,naval asset and air equipment. For a country to have a forward stand out position is great advantage. Thru availability of funds on how 1200 sqm matters it will be set aside since expansion of the base will be consider in the development.its not only putting some expensive arsenal on this island but also planning and development is involved

in fact that the island has already enter the military action of some claimants.

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 01:18 PM

Ideal Aircraft station in Pag-asa island

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/ffa18_r1.gif

Its a idea but if you where a pilot to be stationed in Pag-asa island in spratly, what is your prefered aircraft? considering the short landing strip and climate of the area.

Is cost considered? If not, I'l opt for a harrier.. If yes, maybe choose some swedish STOL..

Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence. — Winston Churchill

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/GR7AV8.jpg

PERFORMANCE

GR7 and AV8-B

Max Speed 660 mph (1,065 kph) at sea level, 600 mph (966 kph) at 36,000 ft.

Tactical radius at Low Level with full bombload and 1 hour loiter is 103 miles. With Drop tanks, no loitre and 3,500 lb of bombs the combat
radius is 553 miles (889 Km). With maximum external fuel tanks the ferry range is 2,015 miles, this can be extended with in-flight refueling using the built- in refueling probe which retracts when not in use.

SEA HARRIER FA2

Max speed 720 mph (1,160 kph) at 1,000 ft (305m). 607 mph (977 kph) at 36,000 ft.

Combat radius to intercept a high flying target is about 480 miles (750 km). It can stay on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) some 100 miles from its carrier for over 1.5 hours.

On an attack mission with two Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles the radius of action would be 230 miles (370 Km). On the Sea Harrier the refueling probe is a bolt-on non-retracting device.

ENGINES

GR7 and AV-8B

Rolls-Royce Pegasus 106 turbofan with vectored thrust giving 21,750 lb thrust.

Sea Harrier FA2

Pegasus 106 giving 21,500 lb thrust.

The Rolls-Royce Pegasus series started with the 101 used in the Harrier GR1 with 19,000 lb thrust. The Harrier GR1A used the Pegasus 102
with 20,500 lb. Then came the 103 used in the GR3 and AV-8A with 21,500 lb thrust.

In this remarkable engine the turbojet drives additional fans at the front of the engine (hence making it at turbofan) whose thrust is fed via two vectored outlets to provide lift. Then the hot exhaust thrust of the turbojet itself is vectored via two rear outlets to add to the thrust of the first pair. This means the entire power of the engine can be used to provide lift.

ARMAMENT

GR Mk 7

The GR7 can carry up to 9,200 lb (4,173 Kg) of external stores on 9 pylons. Gun armanent consists of two 25mm cannon in ventral pods. Amongst the weapons carried by RAF Harriers are normal "iron " bombs, Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs), BL755 Cluster bombs, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles ans unguided rockets in pods. A photo-reconnaissance pod can be carried on the centre-line pylon between the guns.

AV-8B

The USMC Harriers have only a single GAU-12 cannon in the port ventral pod with the ammunition for it fed from the starboard pod. There are only 7 pylons for weapons. Along with normal bomcs the CBU Cluster bomb family is a favorite weapon of USMC Harriers. Also used are unguided rockets and the Maverick air to surface missile. Like RAF Harriers they carry Sidewinder missile for self-defence.

FA2

The Fleet Air Arm Sea Harrier can carry two ventral pods each with a 30 mm cannon. In place of these it can carry two of the new AIM-120 air-to-air missile under the fuselage, with another two AIM-120s under the wings, total complement of these formidable missiles is four. There are four pylons under the wings which can carry the following and of the weapons used by the RAF GR MK7 version plus Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles ans Alarm anti-radar missiles. In normal use two of these wing pylons would be taken up by fuel tanks.

or maybe this one,

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/yak-38.jpg

Yak-38 Forger Specifications
Primary Function: Carrier-based attack aircraft
Contractor: Yakolev
Crew: One; two in Forger-B trainer
Unit Cost: N/A
Powerplant
One Tumansky R-27V-300 turbojet and two RKBM RD-36-35FVR lift jets with 15,300 lb. of thrust
Dimensions
Length: 50.82 ft. (15.49 M)
Wingspan: 24.02 ft. (7.32 M)
Height: 14.34 ft. (4.37 M)
Weights
Empty: 16,499 lb. (7,484 Kg)
Max Takeoff: 25,795 lb (11,700 Kg)
Performance
Speed: 655 mph (1,050 km/h)
Ceiling: 39,375 ft
Range: 416 miles (ferry)
Armament
One 30-mm cannon, four hardpoints for Atoll & Aphid AAMs, bombs, rocket pods, and gun pods.

Any STOL will be fine

If funds were available though, you also have to consider constructing the needed facilities to be utilized for such aircraft even for short turn around tactical terms (i.e. hangars, ammo depots, fuel farm, Aircraft support equipment, refuelers and the like).

Another is there any area around the island to construct a pier deep enough for a tanker or cargo ship to supply the needs of those stationed there? That is if such STOL were to become a reality? Can't always rely on Air replenishment now. Something to consider.

actually, the Philippine Air Force planned to base F-8 Crusaders and OV-10 Broncos in Pagasa Island before.

QUOTE
x x x

x x x The runway is approximately 1290 meters long and 100 meters wide and is constructed from cement and crushed coral. The runway was originally developed to include arresting gear to enable it to land F-8 Crusaders but this never came to pass. An F-8 detachment was however based on Palawan island 100 or so miles to the east.

The Philippine government has committed to improving the facilities on the island including paving the runway for use in all weathers and constructing hangars and other support facilities to base aircraft (OV-10s semi-permanently?).

but if given the chance to do so, i would love to see Harriers being based in Pagasa although i would rather invest in long-range MRFs such as the F-15E and the Su-30MK and long-range maritime surveillance aircraft such as the P-3 Orion and have them based in Palawan.

--------------------

In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war." - Horace

QUOTE
Its a idea but if you where a pilot to be stationed in Pag-asa island in spratly, what is your prefered aircraft? considering the short landing strip and climate of the area.

The Harriers are a proven VTOL aircraft.

We should get these.

But given the airstrips proximity to other islands occupied by other claimants, i'd rather put these expensive jets in Bautista AB and protect the base with SAMs.

If that is the case then, id rather get the MRF instead of these VTOLs.

Pag-asa airstrip? I would use it for tourism-related activites and rescue operations instead.

Emergency landings for PAF assets near that area is also a good consideration.

" Fight for the ultimate manifestation of a genuine freedom! "

" People don't care what we know until they know we care. "

Is the Philippines the only one with a runway-airbase in the spratley's?

Havent heard of any aside from a permanent paved runway owned by the chinese on Woody Island...maybe there still more...

--------------------

Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence. — Winston Churchill

if we have the money then its the JSF35 for me

QUOTE
Is the Philippines the only one with a runway-airbase in the spratley's?

Apart from Rancudo Airfield, I dont know about others, Chinese, ChineseNationalist, Vietnam, Brunei, but the Malaysians i think have an airfield on one of their islands called Layang Layang. CIA.gov says that there are 3 "airports" in the islands. The Malaysians have already developed a resort on their island dubbed "Layang Layang". The Vietnamese are doing the same thing.

For pictures structures on Spratlys and Chinese structures check out
Manokski's site

For close pictures of Rancudo, and a Malaysian airfield, check out
Manokski's site again

Check this site out for pictures of Malaysia's Layang Layang,
http://www.w9az.com/9m0m_p2.html

---its a link to the 2nd page, check out the first and third page for interesting pictures. In the first page it shows some sort of port facility with a Malaysian ship docked, and interstingly, there is a wind turbine generator on the island, saves money on electricity?

"
Gripen Or F-18.

The two aircraft are Multi role plus the inherent ability to TAKE-OFF or LANd in short runways.

I agree with Maniegon, that we need to construct first the logistic and facilities of Pag asa Island in support of any aircraft that will be stationed in the area.

A LONG range Radar installation, SAM/Anti aircraft and MRF(F-18 or Gripen STOL capabilities) will provide a good defense coverage not only in the Island but maybe for the whole country. Peace to all.

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and reality of tomorrow.

Saigoneseguy

September 5th, 2006, 01:26 PM

How many islands the Phillippines are holding in the archipelago?

demented_pigeon

September 5th, 2006, 06:45 PM

How many islands the Phillippines are holding in the archipelago?
the Republic of the Philippines is comprise of 7,107 islands. are you refering to the kalayaan islands? we're not claiming all the the spratleys but those within the territorial waters of the country as stipulated by international law

le Reine

September 5th, 2006, 07:36 PM

How many islands the Phillippines are holding in the archipelago?

The Philippines is only claiming some parts of the Spratlys which was determined by the UNCLOS (UN Convetion on the Law of the Sea).

At present, the Philippines was only able to hold 8 islets in the spratlys.

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 07:42 PM

How many islands the Phillippines are holding in the archipelago?

If you are asking about our Kalayaan Islands Group (which is more than 200 miles north of the main Spratly island) we have more than a dozens.

by the way noticing your name.. are you a real nouc mam drinker ???

during my youth near the end of the Vietnam War, I have experienced the war
in Danang, Qhui non, Chu lai, Vungtau, Saigon and Mekong River and at
Phu quoc (Hatien) near the Cambodian border.

TheAvenger

September 5th, 2006, 09:08 PM

Below are pictures of the Spratly Islands as well as Mischief reef . This should give you an idea of what the contested ground looks like.

Pagasa Island and Rancudo Airfield.

Pagasa island is below taken from a PAF aircraft.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/70pctPagasa.jpg

The picture above is of Pagasa Island taken from a Philippine Air Force C-130 four years ago. It is also called "Thitu" Island in international maps. The air base is called Rancudo Airfield - named after a PAF general who previously commanded the PAF.

It's the largest of the Spratly islands, excluding Spratly Island itself and is also the largest island currently occupied by the Philippines. The runway is approximately 1290 meters long and 100 meters wide and is constructed from cement and crushed coral. The runway was originally developed to include arresting gear to enable it to land F-8 Crusaders but this never came to pass. An F-8 detachment was however based on Palawan island 100 or so miles to the east.

The Philippine government has committed to improving the facilities on the island including paving the runway for use in all weathers and constructing hangars and other support facilities to base aircraft (OV-10s semi-permanently?). Over the years, the Philippines has also constructed concrete bunkers and gun emplacements on the island. It houses several anti-aircraft artillery (40mm Bofors) pieces as well as several field artillery pieces (M101A1 105mm howitzers). AFP personnel posted here receive "Loneliness" pay.

From this perspective, it's pretty impressive what the AFP has been able to do considering the meager resources it has available.

Chinese structures on Mischief Reef taken from PAF reconnaissance aircraft. It is noteworthy that all this activity started after the US left its bases in Luzon. Mischief Reef is more nearer to Palawan coast than the other islands of the Kalayaan Islands Group and previously used by our Armed Forces in fiing exercises before the Chiinese occupied it in the 1980s. Because it was left unoccupied by our country while other countries like China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia were busy occupying islands in the south china sea
to bolster their claims.

Mischief Reef was a training live fire range used by both the PAF and US forces prior to the Chinese moving in and asserting their claim.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/MischiefReefSite3-photo002_small1.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/MischiefReefSite3-photo001_small1.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/MischiefReefSite2-photo003_small1.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/MischiefReef-ChineeseStructure95mod.jpg

Chinese Structures in the Spratly Islands

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/ChinaonSpratlys-001_small1.jpg

Scarborough Reef - is not part of Kalayaan Islands Ground since it was situated 131 miles west of Zambales province. It is also claimed by China and it is neither occupied by the Philippines nor China nor Taiwan.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/scarboroughreef1.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/ascarboroughreef.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/bscar.jpg
TYPO ERROR - SHOULD READ 131 MILES WEST OF ZAMBALES

TheAvenger

September 10th, 2006, 11:37 PM

Since Malaysia's claim on some islands in the south china sea is directly linked to their possession of Sabah which is part of the Philippines, re 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zones from it's continental shelf, I will include here the Bangsa Moro article about Sabah and the Sultan of Sulu

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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The Sultan of Sulu's Lost Land

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There is not much historical dispute that Baron von Overbeck only leased North Borneo in 1878, though he was given "absolute authority" over its inhabitants. The key word in the agreement, "padjak," has been translated by American, Dutch and Spanish lingu

by Manfred Rist

On the northern tip of Borneo there is a region that is about twice the size of Switzerland and historically was part of the Sultanate of Sulu. Today Sabah, "the land beneath the wind," is part of Malaysia. Ignored by Manila, though himself a citizen of the Philippines, the 33rd sultan of Sulu fights a lonesome battle for his lost land. His Highness Sultan Jamalul Kiram III seems somewhat exhausted. He has just come from the tennis courts and his wrist hurts. But the 61-year-old dignitary from Jolo, capital of the Sulu Islands, who is also the 33rd sultan of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, has other reasons to be tired. His dynasty - they are Hashemites, and thus ostensibly among the direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed - have been fighting for North Borneo without success for at least 100 years.

For a long time the region was a giant sultanate held together by geography, trade and religious faith. Toward the end of the 19th century it came under the administration of the British North Borneo Company, eventually became a British crown colony, and has been known as Sabah since 1963. Today, Sabah is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. Turning Down Lucrative Offers But Sabah, poetically known as "the land beneath the wind" because of a location which protects it from monsoon storms, is also claimed by the Philippines and is the cause of occasional friction between Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

In this situation, the sultan of Sulu - who is himself a citizen of the Philippines - plays an increasingly tragic role. He would be a rich man today, and would probably be living almost as comfortably as his distant cousin the sultan of Brunei, if he had accepted any of several offers from Malaysia (the top offer was allegedly for a billion American dollars), and in exchange had renounced his claim to Sabah. But he says that whoever takes such a treacherous step would bring eternal shame down on his own head, as well as the disdain of all his descendants, and on top of that would be beheaded by the "kir," one of the few remnants of a past power which survived the destruction of Jolo in 1974, when the city was decimated in fighting between the Philippine army and Muslim insurgents.

Today the sultan rides in a modest, mid-range car and is driven around by his second wife, Celia. But he still proudly and stubbornly maintains his claim to the land on the northern tip of the island of Borneo, a region blessed with oil, tin, copper, gold, an unusual flora, and palm oil and coconut plantations. According to the sultan, his claim goes back to the year 1450, when his distant ancestor, Al-Sultan Shariful Hashim, was the political and spiritual head of the Sulu Islands, the Tawi-Tawi Archipelago, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan and also parts of North Borneo.

History does record clearly that, in 1703, the sultan was ceded the area by his relative, the sultan of Brunei, in exchange for assistance in putting down an internal revolt within the sultanate of Brunei. A Pittance from Kuala Lumpur The next treaty dealing with Sabah, dated 23 January 1878, was also a kind of arms deal. In exchange for modern weapons with which to keep Spanish colonizers away from the Sulu Archipelago, the ruler of Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Alam, leased North Borneo to Gustavus von Overbeck, an Austrian who was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire's consul-general in Hong Kong. Via a trading company belonging to his British partner Alfred Dent, and later via the British North Borneo Company, von Overbeck procured the necessary firearms and also paid the Muslim dignitary an annual sum equivalent to 5,000 Malaysian dollars (now known as ringgit).

It is one of the grotesque aspects of this claim to Sabah that the sun-browned sultan sitting opposite me in a hotel lobby is currently being offered the same lease deal worked out with his great uncle back in the late 19th century - this time by the Finance Ministry of Malaysia. The annual payment, he mentions condescendingly, was increased in 1903 to the grand total of 5,300 ringgit. But that in no way alters the fact that, like his father Sultan Punjungan Kiram before him, he has been refusing for years to accept this pittance, equivalent to about 2,200 Swiss francs. For the money from Kuala Lumpur has been declared "customary cession money," which means, as he reads it, that by accepting the payments he would not be leasing, but rather ceding the territory to Malaysia. It is this nuance of language that points to the source of the territorial dispute over Sabah. Controversial Unification with Malaysia

There is not much historical dispute that Baron von Overbeck only leased North Borneo in 1878, though he was given "absolute authority" over its inhabitants. The key word in the agreement, "padjak," has been translated by American, Dutch and Spanish linguists to mean "lease" or "arrendiamento." And the agreement states explicitly that the rights to the territory may not be transferred to a nation or another company without the sultan's express permission. Despite this, the British presence generated by the North Borneo Company's trading activities became steadily more entrenched, and North Borneo became a de facto British protectorate despite the sultan's protests.

Nor is this history, or the fate of His Highness the Sultan, altered one jot by the fact that, both in 1906 and in 1920, the United States formally reminded Great Britain that North Borneo did not belong to the Crown and was still part of the Sultanate of Sulu. Naturally, the USA did not do this out of purely altruistic motives: Washington had replaced Spain as the colonial power in the Philippines, and the Sultanate of Sulu was (and still is) part of the Philippines. As such, it could very well have been handed over to Manila after World War II, when the Philippines gained its independence on 4 July 1946. The country's constitution at that time stated that the national territory of the Philippines included, among other things, "all other areas which belong to the Philippines on the basis of historical rights or legal claims."

Although that constitution was revised in 1986 and now defines the national territory differently, making no mention of "historical rights," Manila has never officially relinquished its claim to Sabah. It was only when the United States had granted the Philippines its independence that Great Britain, in the wake of the North Borneo Company's dissolution, ventured to declare North Borneo a crown colony. Though Malaya became independent of Britain in 1957, it was not until late May 1961 that there was a move to unite North Borneo with Malaya, an effort indirectly linked to Singapore's desire to become a member of the nascent Malaysian Federation. Back then, Malaya's Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman stated that he was willing to accept British-administered Singapore into the new federation, provided that the other British crown colonies of Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneo could also be integrated.

Aside from the obvious argument that there were close cultural ties with those colonies, the idea was to insure that the Malays, and not the Chinese, would continue to constitute the majority in the future Malaysia.

That caught Manila's attention, and on 22 June 1962 the Philippines officially registered their claim to Sabah with Great Britain, sending a delegation to London. Subsequently, though, Manila agreed to a UN mission whose task it was to discover the will of the indigenous peoples regarding their future citizenship. On 16 September 1963, the Federation of Malaysia was officially launched, consisting of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (the latter withdrew a short time later). In protest, Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, father of the country's current vice-president, severed diplomatic contact with Malaysia. Clinging Silently to an Old Claim Diplomatic contact has long since been restored, but Manila's claim to Sabah has never been officially relinquished.

President Corazon Aquino had plans to do so, as did her successor Fidel Ramos, but both were blocked by the senate of the Philippines. And the present government of President Joseph Estrada has not been able to make up its mind to the step. The Philippines' ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, José Brillantes, recently confirmed in a newspaper interview that his government maintains its claim to Sabah. One consequence of that claim is that the Philippines stubbornly refuses to establish a general consulate in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah - despite the fact that half a million Filipinos, most of them from Sulu Province, are employed in Sabah (legally and illegally) and their strong presence is yet another indication of how closely linked Sabah remains with the island world to its northeast. According to Ambassador Brillantes, setting up a Philippine consulate in Sabah would be tantamount to recognizing Malaysian sovereignty over the region.

To the dismay of the sultan, however, in the years after Macapagal's time in office the claim to Sabah was no longer loudly voiced by subsequent Filipino presidents and now threatens to die of neglect. Back in 1962, his father transferred the claim to Sabah and sovereignty over the land to Manila for a 20-year period, assuming that the Philippines would be successful in pushing its claim under international law. Should that not happen within 20 years, according to the 1962 agreement, the claim would revert to the sultan.

But the sultan of Sulu nurses the suspicion that all Filipino governments, from Marcos through Aquino and Ramos to Estrada, have been "bought" by Kuala Lumpur and have deliberately permitted the Philippines' claim to languish until it has paled almost to extinction. At the same time, no president of the Philippines wants to go down in history as having betrayed the sultanate of Sulu. The sultan's wife slyly adds that the money which her husband once turned down for reasons of honor has no doubt found its way via devious channels to Manila.

27 January 2000 / Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 22/23 January 2000

To read more about this topic please go to the website of Bangsa Moro

http://www.bangsamoro.info/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=35

TheAvenger

September 15th, 2006, 01:15 PM

Spratly Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Spratly Islands are a disputed group of approximately 100 reefs and islets in the South China Sea. Part of the South China Sea Islands, the Spratly Islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and gas and oil deposits, whose true extent is unknown and disputed. The People's Republic of China (PRC), the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam each claim sovereignty over the entire group of islands, while Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines each claim various parts. Several of the nations involved have soldiers stationed in the Spratlys and control various installations on different islands and reefs. The Republic of China (Taiwan) occupies one of the largest islands, Taiping. In February 1995, the PRC occupied Mischief Reef, creating a political crisis in Southeast Asia, especially with the Philippines. In early 1999, these disputes escalated as the Philippines claimed that the PRC was building military installations on the reef.

Although the disputes have calmed to some degree, they still remain one of the most plausible scenarios for a major East Asia war involving the PRC or a smaller war between other claimants, a scenario depicted by Tom Clancy in his novel SSN.

Contents [show]
1 Geography and economic development
2 Colonization
3 Political dispute
4 People's Republic of China claims on the Spratly Islands
5 Philippine claims on the Spratly Islands
6 Vietnamese claims on the Spratly Islands
7 20th century timeline
8 See also
9 External links

[edit]
Geography and economic development
Coordinates: 8°38′N 111°55′E (Spratly Island)
Area (land): less than 5 km²
note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and seamounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 km² of the central South China Sea
Coastline: 926 km
Political divisions:
People's Republic of China: Part of Hainan province;
Philippines: Part of Palawan province;
Vietnam: Part of Khanh Hoa Province;
Malaysia: Part of the state of Sabah;
Republic of China (Taiwan): Part of Kaohsiung municipality
Climate: tropical
Terrain: flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea (0 m)
highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay (4 m)
Natural hazards: typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
The islands contain no arable land and have no indigenous inhabitants, although twenty of the islands, including Itu Aba, the largest, are considered to be able to sustain human life.

Natural resources include fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential. Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. The Spratly Islands have no ports or harbors but it has four airports. These islands are strategically located near several primary shipping lanes.

[edit]
Colonization

The first possible recorded human interaction with the Spratly Islands dates back as far as 3BC. This is based on the discovery that the people of Nan Yueh in the south of China (Vietnamese) and Old Champa kingdom fishermen Old Champa kingdom had been visiting the Spratly Islands, together with other South China Sea Islands for fishing annually. During the Qing Dynasty of China, the islands were sporadically visited throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by mariners from different European powers (including either Richard Spratly or William Spratly, after whom the island group derives its most recognisable English name), but these nations showed little interest in the islands. Most of the English names for the islands, isles and reefs were from the Vietnamese fishermen. German boats surveyed in 1883, the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands but withdrew the survey eventually after receiving protests from the Nguyen Dynasty.

Ancient Chinese geographical maps record these islands.

Ancient Vietnamese geographical maps record Bãi Cát Vàng (Golden Sandbanks, as claimed today by Vietnam referring to both Paracel and Spratly Islands) which lies near the Coast of the central Vietnam as early as the 17th century. In Phủ Biên Tạp Lục (Frontier Chronicles) by the scholar Le Quy Don, Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa were defined as belonging to Quảng Ngãi District. He described it as where sea products and shipwrecked cargoes were available to be collected. Vietnamese text written in the 17th century referenced government-sponsored economic activities during the Le Dynasty, 200 years earlier. The Vietnamese government conducted several geographical surveys of the islands in the 18th century.

In the 1930s, France claimed the Spratly and Paracel Islands on behalf of its then-colony Vietnam. It occupied a number of the Spratly Islands, including Itu Aba, and built weather stations on two, and administered them as part of French Indochina. This occupation was protested by the Chinese Nationalist government because France admitted that they found Chinese fishermen there when the French war ships visited the nine islands. The Chinese fishermen tore the French flag after the ships left the islands. Following that, Japan occupied some of the islands during World War II, and used the islands as a submarine base for the occupation of Southeast Asia. During the occupation, these islands were called Shinnan Shoto (新南諸島), literally the New Southern Islands, and put under the governance of Taiwan together with the Paracel Islands (西沙群岛). Following the defeat of Japan, the Kuomintang (nationalist) claimed the whole Spratly Islands (including Itu Aba) and accepted the Japanese surrender on the islands. Japan renounced all claims to the islands in the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty. In the treaty with Republic of China, Japan again renounced all claims to the islands together with the Paracels, Pratas & other islands captured from China. The Kuomintang withdrew from the Spratly and Paracel Islands when they were defeated by the forces of the opposing Communist Party of China in 1949.

When the French left Vietnam, the naval units of the Vietnamese government took over in Truong Sa.

[edit]
Political dispute

The first indication that the Spratly Islands were more than merely a hazard to shipping was in 1968 when oil was discovered in the region. The PRC’s Geology and Mineral Resources Ministry has estimated that the Spratly area holds oil and natural gas reserves of 17.7 billion tons (1.60 × 1010 kg), as compared to the 13 billion tons (1.17 × 1010 kg) held by Kuwait, placing it as the fourth largest reserve bed in the world. Naturally, these large reserves assisted in intensifying the situation and propelled the territorial claims of the neighbouring countries. On 11 March 1976, the first major Philippine oil discovery occurred off the coast of Palawan, within the Spratly Islands territory, and these oil fields now account for fifteen percent of all petroleum consumed in the Philippines.

The claimants to sovereignty have not awarded offshore concessions in the islands for fear of provoking an immediate clash. Foreign companies have not made any commitments to explore the area until the territorial dispute is settled or the claimants come to terms on joint development.

An additional motive is the region's role as one of the world's most productive areas for commercial fishing. In 1988, for example, the South China Sea accounted for eight percent of the total world catch, a figure which has certainly risen. The PRC has predicted that the South China Sea holds combined fishing and oil and gas resources worth one trillion dollars. There have already been numerous clashes between the Philippines and other nations — particularly the PRC — over foreign fishing vessels in its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) and the media regularly report the arrest of Chinese fishermen.

The region is also one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. During the 1980s, at least two hundred and seventy ships passed through the Spratly Islands region each day, and currently more than half of the world’s supertanker traffic, by tonnage, passes through the region’s waters every year. Tanker traffic through the South China Sea is over three times greater than through the Suez Canal and five times more than through the Panama Canal; twenty five percent of the world’s crude oil passes through the South China Sea.

There have been suggestions that the PRC has annexed and occupied islands not for resource exploitation but rather for surveillance. For example, Mischief Reef would be an ideal site from which to observe United States naval vessels traveling through western Philippine waters. The PRC’s occupation of the islands may be also be aimed at opposing the ROC rather than the Philippines as the Spratlys lie across water essential to the ROC. It could also simply be part of the PRC's efforts to announce its solidifying regional hegemony.

There have been occasional naval clashes over the Spratly Islands. In 1974, after South Vietnam had allowed Western oil companies to explore the Paracel Islands, the PRC reacted by seizing control of them following a short naval battle; in 1988, China similarly annexed another six islets in a region otherwise controlled by Vietnam. An incident involving a civilian vessel occurred on April 10, 1983, when a German yacht was fired on and sunk. No responsibility has yet been indicated for this action.

In response to growing concerns by coastal states regarding encroachments by foreign vessels on their natural resources, the United Nations convened the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 to determine the issue of international sea boundaries. In response to these concerns, it was resolved that a coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries. However UNCLOS failed to address the issue of how to adjudicate on overlapping claims and so the future of the islands remains clouded.

In 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the island. Then, in 1988, the PRC and Vietnam again clashed at sea over possession of Johnson Reef in the Spratlys. Chinese gunboats sank Vietnamese transport ships supporting a landing party of Vietnamese soldiers. The two countries normalized relations in 1991 and President Jiang Zemin subsequently made two trips to Vietnam, but the two nations remain at loggerheads over the Spratlys' future.

In 1992, the PRC and Vietnam granted oil exploration contracts to U.S. oil companies that covered overlapping areas in the Spratlys; and in May 1992, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Crestone Energy (a U.S. company based in Denver, Colorado) signed a cooperation contract for the joint exploration of the Wan'an Bei-21 block, a 25,155 km² section of the southwestern South China Sea that includes Spratly Island areas. CNOOC was to provide seismic and other data regarding the seabed in the contract area, while Crestone agreed to cover all costs and conduct follow-up seismic surveys and drilling in the area. The contract was extended in 1999 after Crestone failed to complete the exploration. Part of the Crestone's contract covered Vietnam’s blocks 133 and 134, where PetroVietnam and ConocoPhillips Vietnam Exploration & Production, a unit of ConocoPhillips, agreed to evaluate prospects in April 1992. This led to a confrontation between China and Vietnam, with each demanding that the other cancel its contract.

Further escalation occurred in early 1995 when the Philippines discovered a primitive PRC military structure on Mischief Reef, one hundred and thirty nautical miles off the coast of Palawan. This prompted the Philippines government to issue a formal protest over the PRC occupation of the reef and the Philippine navy to arrest sixty-two Chinese fishermen at Half Moon Shoal, eighty kilometres from Palawan. A week later, following confirmation from surveillance pictures that the structures were of military design, then Philippine President Fidel Ramos ordered military forces in the region strengthened. The PRC had claimed that the structures were shelters for fishermen.

Following this dispute an ASEAN-brokered agreement was reached between the PRC and ASEAN member nations whereby a nation would inform the others of any military movement within the disputed territory and that there would be no further construction. The agreement was promptly violated by the PRC and Malaysia. Claiming storm damage, seven PRC naval vessels entered the area to repair "fishing shelters" in Panganiban Reef. Malaysia erected a structure on Investigator Shoal and landed at Rizal Reef, both places situated within the Philippines EEZ. In response the Philippines lodged formal protests, demanded the removal of the structures, increased naval patrols in Kalayaan and issued invitations to American politicians to inspect the PRC bases by plane.

By 1998, as the PRC continued its creeping annexation of the islands, placing sovereignty markers or buoys on First and Second Thomas Shoals, Pennsylvania Shoal, Half Moon Shoal and the Sabina and Jackson atolls, the Spratly Islands area was listed as one of eight flashpoints[citation needed] for conflict in the world. By late 1998, PRC bases had surrounded the Philippines' outposts. A British Royal Navy Commander analyzed pictures of the Chinese structures and announced that PRC "appeared to be preparing for war"[citation needed]. The relationship between Manila and Beijing had deteriorated to the point where war seemed imminent.

In the early 21st century, as part of foreign policy initiatives known as the "new security concept" and "China's peaceful rise", the PRC became much less confrontational about the Spratly Islands. The PRC recently held talks with ASEAN countries aimed at realizing a proposal for a free trade area between the ten countries involved. The PRC and ASEAN also have been engaged in talks to create a code of conduct aimed at easing tensions in the disputed islands. On 5 March 2002, an agreement was reached, setting forth the desire of the claimant nations to resolve the problem of sovereignty "without further use of force"[citation needed]. In November 2002, a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea was signed, easing tensions but falling short of a legally-binding code of conduct.

[edit]
People's Republic of China claims on the Spratly Islands
The People's Republic of China (PRC) bases its claim to the islands on historical grounds. They state that the Spratly Islands have been an integral part of China for nearly two thousand years and point to ancient manuscripts claiming to refer to the Spratly Islands and remains of Chinese pottery and coins on the islands as proof. Using this argument, the PRC states that the Philippines have taken 410,000 square kilometres of its traditional maritime boundary, having taken advantage of the PRC's poor condition during its exile from international affairs, but some analysts question these claims.

However, many official records and maps dating back to Han Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and Republic of China did include the Spratly Islands in Chinese territory. (See the Chinese version of this page for document details and dates). However, these same maps also claim the northern Philippine archipelago, Palawan, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia among others. If China's can claim the Spratly Islands on such grounds then they should do so with these other countries, making the argument somewhat absurd. In addition, China claimed these areas more as protectorates rather than as a true part of China since they still had their own kingdoms and governments.

[edit]

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/Philmap90pct.jpg

Philippine claims on the Spratly Islands
While the Philippine claim to the Spratly Islands was first expressed in the United Nations General Assembly in 1946, Philippine involvement in the Spratly's did not begin in earnest until 1956, when on 15 May Philippine citizen Tomas Cloma proclaimed the founding of a new state, Kalayaan (Freedom Land). Cloma’s Kalayaan encompassed fifty three features spread throughout the eastern South China Sea, including Spratly Island proper, Itu Aba, Pag-asa and Nam Yit Islands, as well as West York Island, North Danger Reef, Mariveles Reef and Investigator Shoal. Cloma then established a protectorate in July 1956 with Pag-asa as its capital and Cloma as “Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Kalayaan State”. This action, although not officially endorsed by the Philippine government, was considered by other claimant nations as an act of aggression by the Philippines and international reaction was swift. Taiwan, the PRC, South Vietnam, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands lodged official protests (the Netherlands on the premise that it considered the Spratly Islands part of Dutch New Guinea) and Taiwan sent a naval task force to occupy the islands and establish a base on Itu Aba, which it retains to the present day.

Tomas Cloma and the Philippines continued to state their claims over the islands; in October 1956 Cloma traveled to New York to plead his case before the United Nations and the Philippines had troops posted on three islands by 1968 on the premise of protecting Kalayaan citizens. In early 1971 the Philippines sent a diplomatic note on behalf of Cloma to Taipei demanding the ROC's withdrawal from Itu Aba and on 10 July in the same year Ferdinand Marcos announced the annexation of the 53 island group known as Kalayaan, although since neither Cloma or Marcos specified which fifty three features constituted Kalayaan, the Philippines began to claim as many features as possible. In April of 1972 Kalayaan was officially incorporated into Palawan province and was administered as a single “poblacion” (township), with Tomas Cloma as the town council Chairman and by 1992, there were twelve registered voters on Kalayaan. The Philippines also reportedly attempted to land troops on Itu Aba in 1977 to occupy the island but were repelled by ROC troops stationed on the island. There were no reports of casualties from the conflict. In 2005, a cellular phone base station was erected by the Philippines' Smart Communications on Pag-asa Island.

The Philippines base their claims of sovereignty over the Spratly's on the issues of res nullius and geography. The Philippines contend Kalayaan was res nullius as there was no effective sovereignty over the islands until the 1930s when France and then Japan acquired the islands. When Japan renounced their sovereignty over the islands in the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1951, there was a relinquishment of the right to the islands without any special beneficiary. Therefore, argue the Philippines, the islands became res nullius and available for annexation. Philippine businessman Tomas Cloma did exactly that in 1956 and while the Philippines never officially supported Cloma’s claim, upon transference of the islands’ sovereignty from Cloma to the Philippines, the Philippines used the same sovereignty argument as Cloma did. The Philippine claim to Kalayaan on geographical bases can be summarized using the assertion that Kalayaan is distinct from other island groups in the South China Sea because:

It is a generally accepted practice in oceanography to refer to a chain of islands through the name of the biggest island in the group or through the use of a collective name. Note that Spratly (island) has an area of only 13 hectares compared to the 22 hectare area of the Pag-asa Island. Distance-wise, Spratly Island is some 210nm off Pag-asa Islands. This further stresses the argument that they are not part of the same island chain. The Paracels being much further (34.5nm northwest of Pag-asa Island) is definitely a different group of islands

A second argument used by the Philippines regarding their geographical claim over the Spratly’s is that all the islands claimed by the Philippines lie within their archipelagic baselines, the only claimant who can make such a statement. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stated that a coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries. It is perhaps telling that while the Philippines is a signatory to UNCLOS, the PRC and Vietnam are not. The Philippines also argue, under Law of the Sea provisions, that the PRC can not extend its baseline claims to the Spratly’s because the PRC is not an archipelagic state. Whether this argument (or any other used by the Philippines) would hold up in court is debatable but possibly moot, as the PRC and Vietnam seem unwilling to legally substantiate their claims and have rejected Philippine challenges to take the dispute to the World Maritime Tribunal in Hamburg.

[edit]
Vietnamese claims on the Spratly Islands
The Vietnamese also claims the island on historical grounds. Ancient Vietnamese geographical maps record Bải Cát Vàng (Golden Sandbanks, referring to Spratly Islands) as Vietnamese territory as early as the 17th century. In Phủ Biên Tập Lục by the scholar Lê Quý Đôn, Hoàng Sa, and Trường Sa were defined as belonging to Quảng Ngải District. In Đại Nam Thống Nhất Toàn Đồ, an atlas of Vietnam completed in 1838, Trường Sa was shown to be Vietnam's territory. Vietnam had conducted many geographical and resource surveys of the islands. The results of these surveys have been recorded in Vietnamese literature and history published since the 17th century. After the treaty signed with the Nguyen Dynasty, France represented Vietnam in international affairs and had exercised sovereignty.

On 7 July 1951, Tran Van Huu, head of the Bao Dai Government's delegation to the San Francisco Conference on the peace treaty with Japan declared that the archipelagoes of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa had been part of Vietnamese territory. This declaration met with no challenge from the 51 representatives at the conference. After the French left, the Vietnam government had exercised sovereignty over the islands.

Vietnam currently occupies 21 islands. They are organized as a district of Khanh Hoa Province.

[edit]
20th century timeline
1927 The French ship SS De Lanessan conducts a scientific survey of the Spratly Islands
1930 France launches a second expedition with the La Malicieuse, which raises the French flag on an island called Ile de la Tempete. Chinese fishermen are present on the island, but the French make no attempt to expel them.
1932 The Republic of China sends the French government a memorandum contesting their sovereignty over the Spratlys, based on the Chinese interpretation of the 1887 treaty ending the Sino-French War.
1933 Three French ships take control of nine of the largest islands and declare French sovereignty over the archipelago. France administers the area as part of Cochinchina. The Empire of Japan disputes French sovereignty over the islands, citing evidence of phosphate mining by private Japanese citizens.
1939 Japan declares its intention to place the island group under its jurisdiction. France and the United Kingdom protest and reassert French sovereignty claims.
1941 Japan forcibly occupies the island group and remains in control until the end of World War II, administering the area as part of Taiwan. A submarine base is established on Itu Aba.
1945 After Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, France and the Republic of China reassert claims on the Spratly Islands. China sends troops to the islands and landing forces erect sovereignty markers.
1946 France dispatches warships to the islands several times but no attempts are made to evict Chinese forces.
1947 France demands the Chinese withdraw from the islands.
1948 France ceases maritime patrols near the islands and China withdraws most of its troops.
1951 At the 1951 San Francisco Conference on the Peace Treaty with Japan, delegates from Vietnam – which, at that time, was still French-controlled – claim sovereignty over the Paracel and the Spratly Islands.
1956 Tomas Cloma, director of the Maritime Institute of the Philippines, claims sovereignty over much of the Spratly Islands, naming his territory "Kalaya'an" ("Freedomland"). The People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, France, South Vietnam, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands all issue protests. The Republic of China and South Vietnam launch naval units to the islands, though South Vietnam leaves no permanent garrison. North Vietnam supports the PRC's claims, declaring that "according to Vietnamese data, the Xisha and Nansha Islands are historically part of Chinese territory." Later in the year, South Vietnam declares its annexation of the Spratly Islands as part of its Phuoc Tuy province.
1958 The People's Republic of China issues a declaration defining its territorial waters which encompasses the Spratly Islands. North Vietnam's prime minister, Pham Van Dong, sends a formal note to Zhou Enlai, stating that "The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam respects this decision."
1961-3 South Vietnam establishes sovereignty markers on several islands in the chain.
1968 The Philippines sends troops to three islands on the premise of protecting Kalayaan citizens and announces the annexation of the Kalayaan island group.
1971 Malaysia issues claims to some of the Spratly Islands.
1972 The Philippines incorporates the Kalayaan islands into its Palawan province.
1975 A recently-unified Vietnam declares claims over the Spratly Islands.
1978 A presidential decree from the Philippines outlines territorial claims to the islands.
1979 Malaysia publishes a map of its continental shelf claim, which includes twelve islands from the Spratly group. Vietnam publishes a white paper outlining its claims to the islands and disputing those of the other claimants.
1982 Vietnam publishes another white paper, occupies several of the islands and constructs military installations. The Philippines also occupies several more islands and constructs an air strip.
1983 Malaysia occupies Swallow Reef (Layang Layang), one of the Spratly Islands. A naval base and resort was later built at this location.
1984 Brunei establishes an exclusive fishing zone encompassing the Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but does not publicly claim the area.
1987 The People's Republic of China conducts naval patrols in the Spratly Islands and establishes a permanent base.
1988 PRC and Vietnam ships clash over Johnson Reef. The PRC forces prevail and retains control of the area.
[edit]
See also
South China Sea Islands
Paracel Islands
Junk Keying
Kalayaan, Palawan, Philippines
Zheng He
List of islands in the South China Sea

TheAvenger

September 15th, 2006, 05:19 PM

Tue, Jul 19, 2005 News Editorials e-Industry e-Service e-Education 290329297 visits
Front Page
TaipeiTimes

Taiwan needs Spratly-deal details

By Chen Hurng-yu 陳鴻瑜

Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005,Page 8
Explorations of a gas field in the East China Sea by both China and Japan have strained relations between these two superpowers. The dispute only highlights the level of tension between Taiwan, Japan and China over their overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs), fishing rights, oil and natural gas resources. For the time being, there is no permanent solution to resolve the conflict that currently looms in the East China Sea.

Last year, to temporarily put aside the dispute, Beijing came up with a proposal to jointly develop natural gas fields in the region with Japan. However, Tokyo did not react enthusiastically, for it had only intended to explore for oil in the EEZ that it deems belongs to Japan. With regard to the progress made in the exploration of oil fields in the disputed region, Japan is actually trailing behind China. Thus, further disputes are to be expected if China begins petroleum production in the next two months in the area within China's EEZ, 5km from the center line between each country's coast.

In contrast, the situation in the South China Sea seems calmer, as there was a substantial change in the dispute over the Spratly Islands. Petroleum companies from three countries -- China, Vietnam and the Philippines -- including China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp and Philippine Oil Co, signed a joint exploration agreement to probe for oil in the Spratly Islands and agreed to conduct a seismic survey program in the region over the course of three years.

In addition to these three countries, there are another three countries involved in the dispute over the Spratly Islands: Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. However as only three countries participated in the negotiations, this indicates a strategy to achieve a partial resolution to the dispute. Because of such strategic concerns, the content of the contract has yet to be made public and only the three nations are engaged in the cooperation project.

On the day of the signing of the agreement, China, Vietnam and the Philippines made a brief statement, only mentioning that the petroleum survey would cover an area of about 143,000km2, but not specifying the precise location. The furtive manner of the announcement has sparked suspicion, causing the rest of the nations involved to wonder about the real scope of cooperation.

In the statement, the three signatories affirmed they would abide by the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Clearly, the three nations are resolved to transform the South China Sea into a peaceful, stable and cooperative region, and agree not to challenge the basic positions of the other signatories regarding the disputed area in the South China Sea. Additionally, these nations would also, according to the principle of equality, proceed with the research project and establish a committee to negotiate issues related to the exploration, with each nation sharing the expenditure for the survey. The budget for the first phase will be US$15 million.

Although the content of the agreement has yet to be made public, we can still speculate over the range of the cooperation from a remark by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that "if oil reserves were discovered outside the municipal waters of Kalayaan in the Spratlys, the national government would have exclusive rights to its revenue earnings. The so-called Kalayaan Islands are the part of the Spratlys claimed by the Philippines.

Judging from Arroyo's remark, the scope of the survey would probably include two parts. One is within the Kalayaan Islands while the other is beyond the range of the Kalayaan Islands.

In 1992, China formed a collaboration with Denver-based Crestone Energy to explore the Wan'an North-21 block in the southwest of the Spratlys, only to learn that Vietnam had given an overlapping contract to ConocoPhilips. The agreement allowed Crestone Energy Corp to conduct a drilling and a seismic study at depths of 300m to 700m below sea level. Part of "WanAn North-21" overlapped Vietnam's No. 133 and No. 134 mining sites. Thus, Vietnam protested against China's decision to recruit energy companies to explore the "Wan'An North-21" and coaxed Crestone Energy into giving up the site by offering it a mining area in Vietnam in return. Very probably because of lobbying by Vietnam, Crestone Energy eventually failed to complete the survey. Nevertheless, China extended its contract with Crestone in 1999. What is suspicious is that if China does not make concessions, it will be impossible for it to convince Vietnam to take part in the joint investigation. Therefore, China might propose including part of the Wan'an North-21 in the joint survey.

Although Taiwan still claims sovereignty over the Spratlys, it was not invited to participate in the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Additionally, when signing the agreement, China, Vietnam and the Philippines did not inform Taiwan of their intentions to jointly conduct a survey. Nor did these three countries reveal the coordinates of the location of the survey. This furtive action has already violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the principle of transparency.

In view of this, the government should seek to ask these three countries to make public the details of the agreement they have signed.

Chen Hurng-yu is the professor of history at National Chengchi University.

TRANSLATED BY DANIEL CHENG
This story has been viewed 1368 times.

TheAvenger

September 15th, 2006, 07:26 PM

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/Kal1.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m142/jaime_makabayan/Kal2.jpg

TheAvenger

October 17th, 2006, 06:56 PM

It is sad to learn that as per the Philippine Defense Forum we have lost already the Scarborough to China. Our govt leaders just don't care about our national interest except their own vested interest. you can see the map of Scarborough in the previous page of this Thread - Spratly
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This skin was created by Kazuki of the IF Skin Zone

·
QUOTE (flipzi @ Jan 25 2005, 11:52 AM)
RANDON THOUGHTS ON AIR DEFENSE

by Lt Col Enrique J. Dela Cruz, PAF

In the complexity of air defense (PDF)

The good colonel's point is good, the conclusion I derive from this paper is that our airfighting capability is held back by political reasons not even related to national security. Very sad!

There is one indication though that the PAF is intending to undertake air maritime functions (as it did in the past). I made my position on naval air capability and projection of deterrence in other threads and I do not care if its the navy or the air force as long as it exists.

QUOTE (ColdDeadFish @ Jan 25 2005, 02:26 PM)

There is one indication though that the PAF is intending to undertake air maritime functions (as it did in the past). I made my position on naval air capability and projection of deterrence in other threads and I do not care if its the navy or the air force as long as it exists.

Just for the purpose of our discussion,..

... i believe our territory was never ever threatened prior to the post-Marcos regime.

It tells us that maritime patrols loosened when Aquino stepped in.

Too bad Ramos failed to bring it back ..... ON TIME.

Now we lost Scarborough shoal ... and China is eavesdropping heavily on us 24/7.

China has made a great stride in conquering the whole of the Spratly's with its takeover of that strategic point in the Spratly's.

well acording to my observation the answer is no ! well simply put it we dont have much of a defense we relay on the treaty that we made with the US for protection so we dont have defense network but from what i heard we building our own defense network its been add up to the AFP modrenization program

This post has been edited by Zero wing on Oct 17 2006, 04:07 PM

--------------------

Wings of freedom for all filipinos

Unfortunately, under the conditions of the US Mutual Defense Treaty, they can only come to our defense when it involves islands they recognize as our territory.

We're on our own in those territories where our claim is disputed namely the Spratleys, Mischief Reef or even Sabah. It appears the US wouldn't want to get involved with our terrirtorial spats with our neighbors.

As for one of our External Security threats, China, the Philippines sees it as a major source of investments, aid and imported goods

Rodel

October 22nd, 2006, 03:10 PM

more pictures...
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic9.jpg

Rodel

October 22nd, 2006, 03:14 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic8.jpg

flesh_is_weak

October 22nd, 2006, 04:04 PM

beautiful palawan...although seeing the huts of dos palmas gives me the creeps...must be because of the negative exposure it had a few years back...

but then, i'd still die just to go to palawan, i even promised myself to never leave the country, not until i get the chance to finally set foot on palawan...kailan pa kaya yun?

palawan_buddy

October 24th, 2006, 01:34 PM

^^ you need as much as you would spend in bora. airfare lang naman ang pinaka masakit sa bulsa. as low as 4000pesos to and from manila.

once in Puerto princesa or in el nido, you could get a place to stay for as low as 300pesos(beachfront in el nido proper--bahaykubo) to 1000 (lodging house).

but if you really want to experience the REAL palawan... el nido is the place to go.. you can rent a banca for 1500pesos 1day cruise to the islands of el nido. okay na yun!!!!

but. you may want to consider 30,000+pesos if you want to stay at elnido resorts (3days two nights), or 50,000+pesos if you want to go to amanpulo (exclusive pa yun ng kakainin mo coz wla kang ibang kakainan dun kundi sa resort...their cheapest ulam is worth almost 900pesos)

flesh_is_weak

October 24th, 2006, 02:30 PM

^^kainis talaga, 5 years ago noong nagpunta ng bagiuo ang grandparents ko, niyaya nila ako, but i declined kasi sabi ko nakakabagot magbiyahe...hindi ko alam, maliban sa bagiuo ay pumunta sila sa palawan afterwards...grrrrr...

sayang libreng trip sana yun...ngayon di na pwede, nasa states na kasi lola ko...

IMPRESARIO

November 6th, 2006, 07:51 AM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/Palawan/pic8.jpg

^^^Beautiful, so peaceful, waters sooo clean...i wanna go there!

reggiedoc

November 18th, 2006, 06:15 AM

To be recognized as One of 30 BEST Undiscovered Beaches in the World is music to the ears. This came out in the SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2006 issue of the ISLANDS MAGAZINE. Congratulations, Matinloc Island, Palawan (http://www.islands.com/articles/best_30_undiscovered_beaches.asp)!!!!

http://akamai.magazine-services.net/covers/dxv/10099_20061001748.jpg

Narjz

November 18th, 2006, 06:25 AM

wow :eek2: super beautiful...ang ganda talaga ng Pinas.. :)

http://www.palawan.com/php_thumb/phpThumb.php?src=/home/palawan/public_html/i_resorts/dos_palmas/logo.gif&w=350

Location

Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Central Palawan

Resort Information

Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort is nestled in the tropical waters of Honda Bay, northeast from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. A quiet hideaway amidst pristine natural surroundings in the Philippines' last frontier, we offer comfortable and modern facilities while providing you with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the wonders of nature.

Of the island's 20-hectare total land area, 60,000 sq. m. are fully developed with rest and recreation facilities. On one edge of Dos Palmas is a 3-hectare mangrove.

Our extensive recreational facilites are available to help you in your pursuit of leisure. We have basketball, tennis, beach volleyball, badminton, billiards,and many more. For some water adventure, our marine sports center offers scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, island hopping and fishing. Rejuvenate both body and mind with an aromatic body massage, milk bath or foot spa treatment at our Tropical Spa. Or you can unwind in one of our Bay or Garden cottages.

So whether you derive a natural high from engaging in your favorite sport, communing with nature, or simply basking in the sun and fresh air, Dos Palmas Arreceffi surely has something to make your vacation memorable.

Getting There

We literally go great distances to make sure that your journey to Dos Palmas Arreceffi is as hassle-free and exciting as possible.

Puerto Princesa is a quick 1-hour and 15-minute flight from Manila, the nation’s capital. Several domestic airlines ply the Puerto Princesa-Manila route.

After touchdown at the Puerto Princesa airport, hop into one of our air-conditioned vans waiting for you. From there, the Sta. Lourdes Wharf is a 25-minute drive away.

The private Dos Palmas Arreceffi boat will then take you from the Sta. Lourdes Wharf to an exhilarating cruise through the breathtaking Honda Bay. And in less than an hour, you will be in the enchanting world of Dos Palmas Arreceffi!

Accomodation

Bay Cottages

For full appreciation of the scenery, DPAIR created 10 Bay Cottages standing on reinforced stilts above water so guests may enjoy the beautiful Palawan sunrise and sunsets,.the panoramic view of Honda Bay and living close to the fishes that have made the island popular to local and foreign tourists. Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort is also famous for the preservation of its lush mangroves.

Garden Cottages

If you’d prefer to spend the night over dry land, chose one of 38 homey Garden Cottages fronting the beach.

A Bay Cottage could accommodate two adults and one child while a Garden Cottage is spacious enough for five adults. All cottages have private balconies; air conditioning; toilet and bath; hot and cold running water; a mini bar; and an intercom phone with NDD/IDD.

Facilities

Restaurants and Bars

Although fresh seafood from the waters of Palawan are easily the most popular items on the buffet table, the kitchen staff, our in-house Chef, is equally adept at whipping up other dishes to suit both local and international tastes.

Our different dining venues are designed to make meals satisfying to all the senses. Kara-e-nan restaurant, which can seat up to 200 people, is the main dining venue. But if you want to add even more spice to your meals, you could have breakfast or lunch at one of our huts on stilts right in the middle of the sea! For al fresco dining, our special dinner buffet is served in a different part of the resort every night. Kara-e-nan’s bar, Ereneman, is an ideal hangout for wines and spirits once the sun sets.

Water Sports

Find out for yourself why Palawan’s marine life has gained world renown; go diving and explore the numerous reefs a few minutes away from the resort by speedboat.

The resort’s Marine Sports Center has a complete line of equipment and facilities for diving, snorkeling, and other water sports. Guests without C-cards or proof of certification may take the Introductory Dive course. Full PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) diving courses are also available.

Land Activities

At Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort, you will never run out of things to do-even when you need a break from all that frolicking in the water.

Polish your jump shot on the basketball court; block a spike on the beach volleyball court; perfect that serve on the tennis court; or score a goal on the beach soccer field.

The fun need not stop when darkness falls. The Karawatan Recreation Center on the north side of the island is a cluster of huts with indoor facilities for billiards, table tennis, and darts. There is also a bar and a videoke lounge at Karawatan.

Don't feel like moving a muscle? The Tropical Spa offers complete massage and rejuvenating services. Try out the spa's relaxation treatments using natural oils and essences for aromatherapy, body massage, body scrubs, milk baths, aromatic facials, smoothies, and foot spa.Don't feel like moving a muscle? The Tropical Spa offers complete massage and rejuvenating services. Try out the spa's relaxation treatments using natural oils and essences for aromatherapy, body massage, body scrubs, milk baths, aromatic facials, smoothies, and foot spa.

Tropical Spa

Did the day’s activities wear you out? Worry not; the Tropical Spa offers complete massage and rejuvenating services. Try out the spa’s relaxation treatments using natural oils and essences for aromatherapy, body massage, body scrubs, milk baths, aromatic facials, smoothies, and foot spa.

- Body Massage
- Aromatherapy Massage
- Foot Spa
- Facial Spa
- Hair & Scalp Therapy
- Body Smoothies
- Sauna

Services

During your stay at Dos Palmas Arreceffi, we will look after even your minutest needs to ensure that you would have the time of your life. We also have the following:

* Baby sitting services
* Safety deposit box
* Laundry services
* Flight reconfirmation
* Postal services
* Internet
* Souvenir shop
* Clinic

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systematica

December 2nd, 2006, 12:40 AM

palawan_buddy

December 2nd, 2006, 07:42 AM

i think the most acknowledged version is it came from "para agua" -- bec thats the old name of palawan, i think.

systematica

December 21st, 2006, 06:46 PM

That's because it was the closest spanish sounding term.

Here's an excerpt from an article I found:

"Palawan's first contact with Spain was when the remnants of Magellan's expedition, including Pigafetta, arrived in 1521 at the main island which they [the natives] called Pulaoan. They also explored the islands of Busuanga and Cuyo.... The earliest attempt to assert Spanish authority over the islands came in 1570 when Martin de Goiti arrived at Cuyo Island and collected tribute worth 200 taels. By 1582, Cuyo with population of 800, was placed under the encomendero of Panay who was under the jurisdiction of Iloilo. Meanwhile, the Calamianes and Paragua (Spanish name for Palawan island) were placed under the jurisdiction of the alcalde mayor of Mindoro."

Also the connection of the name to the shape of a closed umbrella is also dubious, as umbrellas did not come into fashion until the 16th century in northern europe (Britain), and especially not in sunny, dry Spain, where a similar (non-waterproof) device would have been referred to as a parasol, because it was meant to block the sun.

palawan_buddy

December 23rd, 2006, 03:27 PM

Legend Hotel Puerto Princesa

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/Image117.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/Image124.jpg

palawan_buddy

December 23rd, 2006, 03:31 PM

Tricycles in the city this christmas:

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http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/Image123.jpg

palawan_buddy

December 23rd, 2006, 03:32 PM

Palawan Provincial Hospital

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/Image118.jpg

Lili

December 23rd, 2006, 04:09 PM

Legend Hotel Puerto Princesa

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/Image117.jpg

I stayed here when I was in Puerto Princesa. The lifestyle there is really laid back. I have such fond memories of Puerto Princesa. :)

SamwiseGamgee

December 24th, 2006, 06:37 AM

SamwiseGamgee

December 24th, 2006, 07:08 AM

Merry Christmas, everyone! And a Happy New Year, too!

palawan_buddy

December 24th, 2006, 08:23 AM

What happened to the planned transfer of Palawan to Region 6? What's the sentiment of the people over there regarding this matter?

I hope that this becomes a reality soon. IMHO, Palawenos are more culturally and linguistically related to Panayanons than to the Tagalogs.

Most of the people are not in support of that planned transfer. The transfer was made even without consultation from our local officials and the people. So the national gov't shelved the planned. Palawan is still under Region 4.

Palawan is still predominantly a Tagalog-speaking province. The similarity between the Visayans and Palawenoes was brought by the proximity of some island municipalities of Palawan(Cuyo and Agutaya) to Panay. It is closer to Visayas than the main island.

palawan_buddy

January 3rd, 2007, 03:34 PM

additional amanpulo, palawan pictures:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG0954.jpg

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palawan_buddy

January 3rd, 2007, 03:42 PM

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palawan

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Honda Bay and the island of dos palmas

palawan_buddy

January 3rd, 2007, 03:44 PM

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palawan_buddy

January 3rd, 2007, 03:46 PM

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sunset

palawan_buddy

January 3rd, 2007, 03:48 PM

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/Image108.jpg

vince_rilian

January 4th, 2007, 12:40 AM

[IMG]http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g21/palawan_buddy/CIMG1002.jpg
Honda Bay and the island of dos palmas

i miss honda bay, specially ikutin ang pandan island.... haaayyyy

TheAvenger

January 13th, 2007, 06:02 AM

A Flight Over the Spratlys

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It is daybreak, precisely 0600H on 17 January 2007 at Antonio Bautista Air Base, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 5th Fighter Wing, Philippine Air Force is up and ready to launch a flight of four (4) Multi-Role Fighters (MRF). The four MRFs are well aligned inside the Air Defense Alert hangar, all configured for a possible encounter over the Kalayaan Island Group. Each MRF carries two Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles in the outboards and two anti-ship missiles in the inboards. All have centerline fuel tanks for at least thirty minutes loiter time over Pag-asa Island. The pilots appear to be in high spirits as they perform the final check before taxiing to the active runway. The crew chiefs snappily raise their thumbs up signaling the aircraft free of its tire chocks, armaments ready to fire and the aircraft safe to go. At Runway 09, the aircraft are positioned directly in front of the rising sun in the east, roar and roll by two’s in formation, and disappear as swallowed by the brightness of the rising summer sun.

A highly reliable source of information revealed that the People’s Republic Of China (PROC) Central Military Commission has directed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to proceed with the immediate occupation of the remaining islets, shoals and reefs in their claimed areas in the South China Sea. The rapid industrialization in Mainland China coupled with the incessant increase in population had severely depleted food and mineral resources particularly oil and natural gas that would sustain its highly industrialized economy. As of January 2005, PROC is importing an average of one million barrels of crude oil everyday. In order to promote rapid and sustained economic growth, it is now high time for the Chinese to aggressively pursue their territorial claims in the South China Sea to enable them to explore and extract the rich resources available thereat. Earlier, discreet surveys conducted by the Chinese revealed the presence of considerable amount of oil and natural gas deposits that could well support the mainland in pursuing its avowed goal of becoming a strong and wealthy nation that is respected as a great power in the world and as the preeminent power in Asia.

China has so far been successful in occupying strategic positions in the South China Sea amidst the constant protests of other claimant countries. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and other regional bodies had been relatively successful in delaying the timetable of China. The Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, crafted shortly before the turn of the new millennium, had considerably slowed down the efforts of the PLA Navy (PLAN) in occupying the remaining reefs and shoals included in their list. The two structures in Mischief Reef, however, have posed a deterrent and prevented the other claimants from pursuing their own construction and other activities in the area. Moreover, they were able to utilize the facilities to expand fishing expeditions and other maritime activities that could economically and militarily benefit Mainland China. Unable to further occupy other reefs and shoals, the PLAN devoted its efforts in strengthening the facilities they have established in Johnson, Fiery Cross, and Subi, among others. As of the year 2006, all the Chinese facilities in their occupied islets, reefs and shoals are equipped with surface-to-air missiles (SAM) such as the SA-15. China has acquired a total of 135 SA-15 self-propelled SAM or the Tor M1. The missile has eight 9M331 SAMs capable of engaging targets traveling at a speed of up to 700m/s up to a maximum altitude of 6 km and out to maximum range of 12 km. China continues to purchase from Russia two variants of the SA-10 GRUMBLE long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and has also developed a number of indigenous air defense systems including the HQ-9 advanced long-range SAM and the HQ-7 short-range tactical SAM. The HQ-9 is intended to counter high performance aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. The HQ-7, also known as the FM-80, includes both land-based and naval variants.

Likewise, state-of-the-art communication systems and Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment can be found in almost all major facilities of PLA in the South China Sea. The PLA would employ EW assets to support all echelons through the use of electronic countermeasures (ECM) consisting of active and passive jamming of communications and non-communication targets, and electronic support measures (ESM) consisting of intercept and direction finding system and physical destruction of the enemy’s communication and non-communication systems. The PLA would use EW to support military operations by denying or degrading enemy use of radar and communications systems, as well as protecting friendly use of the electromagnetic spectrum. The three-dimensional long-range radar facility in Mischief Reef Site 3 can adequately monitor any object not less than one square meter and not lower than 5,000 feet above sea level up to a distance of 300 nautical miles. This means that all aircraft taking off from Puerto Princesa could be seen in the radar displays by weapons controllers of the PLA from Mischief Reef upon reaching an altitude of over 5,000 ft. Since the last decade of the last century, the PLA has continuously developed its military base in the Paracels. It is now capable of launching fighters, bombers and tankers for extended flight operations anywhere in the South China Sea and even up to the heartland of the Philippines when necessary.

The flight leader of the four MRFs, after establishing its course to Pag-asa, reports,

"Bulldog Flight, on radial 275 degrees, 12 miles out, maintaining 2,500 ft."

"Roger, Bulldog Flight, Puerto standing by,"

responds the Squadron Commander who is at the Control tower to personally supervise the air operations. Four other MRFs are airborne from Basa Air Base on its way to Antonio Bautista Air Base to augment the only flight deployed in this western frontier. The Western Command declared red alert as of 0400H and everyone in the camp is on their battle dress uniform. A Philippine Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) departed Ulugan Bay, Palawan at 0530H and is expected to be in Pag-asa by 0600H the following day. Everybody appears geared for a possible outbreak of battle in the Kalayaan Island Group after the Command received a message from the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo regarding an intelligence report that the PLA will occupy and take control of Pag-asa Island not later than 0800H 17 January 2007. A Long Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) was dispatched earlier to conduct surveillance of the Kalayaan Island Group and had reported sightings of four frigates and a destroyer about 25 miles west of Pag-asa as of 0530H.

The PLAN has grown to be the most powerful navy in Asia. Beijing relies heavily on its naval force for effective active offshore defense capability and to enhance its military stature in the region. China considers the safeguarding of its sovereignty along coastal and offshore waters, to include the East and South China Sea, an essential component of its national security and intends to further improve the ability of its navy to exercise sovereignty rights throughout these waters. The Chinese navy is now fully capable to perform comprehensive sea denial operations in its coastal waters. The Chinese Navy maintains a lap inventory of naval mines and is capable of conducting operations within the country’s coastal seas as well as offshore areas. Most of China’s surface ships are equipped with mine tails and are capable of laying mines as a secondary mission. China has acquired advanced propelled-warhead mines as well as submarine-launched mobile bottom mines, expanding the Navy’s standoff mining capabilities.

There are approximately 70 submarines of all types in the Chinese naval inventory. The quality and capabilities of China’s submarine fleet has considerably improved since the start of the new millennium through the assistance of Russian experts. Individual submarines have become more difficult to detect and are better armed. China’s submarine force has improved its offensive anti-surface warfare capability with the deployment of submarine-launched cruise missiles. China’s indigenously built diesel attack submarine, the SONG-class, has incorporated a significant amount of foreign technology. China has also continued construction of MING-class submarine, maintaining a number in its inventory as the obsolete ROMEO-class boats are retired. Recently, Beijing has completed the construction of a new class of nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN). Beijing’s acquisition of four KILO-class attack submarines from Russia has provided Chinese engineers with sophisticated technology on selected subsystems for reverse engineering.

The PLA Navy ships have considerably improved its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities after acquiring new technology from France and Russia. France delivered dipping sonar to China in 1997. Beijing acquired KA-28 KAMOV ASW helicopters as part of the SOVREMENNY destroyers’ deal with Russia. These helicopters are also seen on board the LUHU destroyers and JIANGWEI frigates. The KILO-class submarines acquired from Russia will have a secondary ASW mission. China has an ongoing indigenous ASW projects through reverse engineering of acquired ASW-related equipment from Russia and France.

The Rapid Reaction Forces (RRFs) is an important component of China’s military might. These forces are responsible for a variety of missions and tasks, many of which require that they possess the capability to mobilize and deploy quickly. Currently they comprise about 25 % of the total PLA strength. The 15th Airborne Corps is the primary strategic level rapid reaction unit for deployment during national contingencies. It is organized into four airborne divisions subordinate to the Chinese Air Force but controlled operationally by the Central Military Commission. Each Airborne Division is supported by a dedicated and co-located military transport regiment composed of a wide variety of transport aircraft from the Air Force’s 13th Transport Division. At present, this unit is capable of transporting 12,000 troops or four airborne regiments.

China is continuing to improve its capabilities to conduct amphibious operations within the region. China’s fleet of about 100 amphibious ships conducts regular training exercises in coastal regions and in Chinese occupied islets in the Spratlys and is capable of landing 4 infantry divisions, depending on the mix of equipment and stores for resupply. China has conducted a large-scale amphibious exercise fully coordinated with air support and airborne operations. In one of the exercises in the South China Sea, civilian merchant fleets are utilized, considerably increasing the number of forces. China’s naval marine force consists of one marine brigade numbering some 5,000 personnel based in South Sea Fleet. Certain regular ground force units appear tailored, equipped and trained for maritime operations and to augment the marine force as needed.

China’s military strategy has been preparing for potential military contingencies along its southeastern flank, especially in Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Thus, the goal of China is to field forces capable of deploying rapidly to fight and win future regional wars under high-technology conditions. The Persian Gulf War and the air war in Kosovo underscored for Beijing the need to improve the PLA’s ability to fight against an adversary who possesses advanced information technologies and long range, precision guided weapons. Chinese perceptions of an emerging military-technological revolution in the last decade of the last century have increased the urgency of gaining the capability to fight a high technology war.

The flight of MRFs is halfway to Pag-asa. It has established contact with the Philippine Navy OPV, which is also on its way to the Kalayaan Island Group. The Long Range Patrol Aircraft still airborne at that time had established data link with the MRFs as well as the Air Defense Operation Center (ADOC) at Villamor Air Base. The Chief of Staff, AFP is watching the big screen in the ADOC where real time video of Pag-asa island and vicinity transmitted by the Long Range Patrol Aircraft can be monitored. The same picture is on the Multifunction Displays of the MRFs.

"Bulldog Flight, Eagle 331," blurts the pilot of the LRPA.

"Eagle 331, this is Bulldog Flight, go ahead." "Do you have tally with the targets in your screen?" asks the LRPA pilot.

"Roger, tally ho!"

The LRPA was successful in transmitting the coordinates of the SOVREMENNY destroyer and four frigates through Global Positioning System data link to the MRFs. The fighter pilots on flight were made aware of the position of the surface targets but how about airborne bogeys?

China has in its inventory more than 100 Su-27 fighters, a frontline long-range offensive and defensive counter-air capability. Along with the upgraded J-7E, the F-8IIM, the FC-1 light multirole fighter, the newly commissioned J-10 indigenous fourth generation fighter, the J-12 (XXJ) large multirole fighter, the PLA Air Force is a formidable enemy over the South China Sea. China has in its inventory, air-to-air missile (AAM) that could be used to counter special mission aircraft such as the Airborne Warning and Control System and even the Joint Tactical Surveillance Targeting and Reconnaissance System of the US. At least 30 B-6 bombers have been converted as air-to-air refueling tankers, which could enable PLA aircraft to operate over the South China Sea for an extended period of time. PLA Navy combat aircraft have self-protection jamming systems for use against enemy fire control radar and missile seekers. Some aircraft have been modified to conduct offensive Electronic Warfare missions.

"Bulldog Flight, Eagle 331."

"Eagle 331, Bulldog flight, go ahead."

"Over Pag-asa this time, heading 090, angels one-five. I have bogeys at six o’clock firing IR missiles."

The LRPA is being engaged by two Su-27s, firing air-to-air missiles but missed after the automatic flare dispenser of the LRPA was activated confusing and misleading the incoming missiles.

The flight lead, tracked and locked on one of the Su-27s with the right wingman locked on the second Su-27 in their respective fire control radar, fired the BVR air-to-air missiles at 25 miles away. Splashed! The two Su-27s are gone.

"Bulldog Lead, Three."

"Bulldog Three, go ahead."

"Bulldog Three locked on targets."

The number 3 aircraft has the SOVREMENNY destroyer and one of the frigates in its fire control radarscope at 28 miles away and locked on both targets, ready to launch its anti-ship missiles. The Chinese destroyer fired its first salvo targeting facilities at Pag-asa Island. The Chinese invasion of the Spratlys begins.

"Bulldog four, locked on targets." The fourth MRF tracks and locked on the other two Chinese frigates.

"Bulldog two, locked on target." The second MRF has in his radarscope the fourth frigate.

"Roger, standby and ready to fire," commanded the Flight Lead. " NOW!" The MRF flight, on a tactical formation, simultaneously releases a total of five sea skimming anti-ship missiles and heads back to home base.

ooOoo

Cavalier Jose Tony E. Villarete

tete@homemail.com

panaginip lang pala nya...... akala ko totoo na ....

he he he

TheAvenger

January 17th, 2007, 03:29 PM

Since Malaysia has also a claim in the South China Sea since Sabah has also a 200 EEC, then the Asian forum's posting about Sabah is related to Spartly, hence I am attaching it here.

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Philippine Claim To Sabah, North Borneo, Sultanate of Sulu is rightful owner Options

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Switch to: Linear+ martin_nuke Jan 17 2006, 03:26 AM Post #41

AF Addict

Group: Members
Posts: 817
Joined: 6-November 05

It is true that Sabah is the most densely populated by filipinos in any country in the world. It is true that there are many job opportunities in Sabah than in Southern Philippines because of the Muslim Insurgence and Terrorism in Southern Mindanao which also originated from Sabah. Filipinos are also discrimitated, maltreated and deported in Sabah that is why they have to convert to Malaysian citizenship so they will be more legitimate and pretend not to be a Filipino.

There is now the Malaysia-Filipino Association in Sabah so Filipinos will have more protection.

This post has been edited by martin_nuke: Jan 17 2006, 03:41 AM

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Protoculture Jan 17 2006, 03:58 AM Post #42

AF Addict

Group: Members
Posts: 816
Joined: 21-October 04
From: Sarawak, East MALAYSIA

Sorry to butt in, but from Malaysian point of view:

QUOTE
I know that in malaysia they have this sort of affirmative action thing going where the malays(when I say malays I mean like the malay defined by the malaysian constitution) have a lot of help if not too much help from the government so that means the natives of sabah and sarawak won't get the benefits even though they are the people of that land

Both Sabah & Sarawak natives are considered Bumiputra & enjoyed the same rights & priviledges as Malays in Peninsular Malaysia enjoys.

Both Sabah & Sarawak states maintain quite a fair degree of autonomy powers, especially regarding local economy & lands, local parliaments of their own. Peninsular Malaysians have to get work permits to work in Sabah or Sarawak, while Sabahans & Sarawakians do not need work permits if they're working in Peninsular Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysians living in Borneo cannot even buy native lands here as they're the natives rights!

QUOTE
true, the basis of the Phil. claim is that the Sultanate of Sulu own Sabah... but can you research in the net for a moment? the Phil. is also interested in the oil Sabah produce....
besides, they will not convert into a Filipino that easy... they have better living standards there in Sabah...

Sabahans & Sarawakians through democratic process choose to be Malaysians. Why must they throw all that & become Filipino?

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Protoculture Jan 17 2006, 04:05 AM Post #43

AF Addict

Group: Members
Posts: 816
Joined: 21-October 04
From: Sarawak, East MALAYSIA

QUOTE
I think during the marcos era, there was an attempt to claim sabah by military means but failed. Marcos and the Sultan trained muslim soldiers at corregidor for that particular secret operation but when the muslim soldiers found out that they will be attacking their fellow muslims in sabah, they didn't like the idea so Marcos had to exterminate them.

Corregidor Massacre. One of the main reasons why Moros began their uprisings.

QUOTE
1. Malaysia does not pay the rent of Sabah to the Sultanate of Sulu.
2. Malaysia mistreated filipinos in Sabah either by genocide, rape, labor, etc...
3. Sabah is a haven and training base for terrorist groups like the Al Queda.

1. As if Sabahan cares about the Sultan heir .... whatsisname again?
2. There's no such thing as genocide or forced labor for ILLEGAL FILIPINO MIGRANTS. Though, illegals do become criminals, street beggars & a nuisance to local Sabahans. Waitaminute, last time I checked on genocide thingies, it occurred in Mindanao - whose country might that be, eh?
3. Hullo, its the South Filipino territories that is terrorist haven. Do I need to ring a bell? MILF? MNLF? Abu Sayyaf?

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Protoculture Jan 17 2006, 04:13 AM Post #44

AF Addict

Group: Members
Posts: 816
Joined: 21-October 04
From: Sarawak, East MALAYSIA

QUOTE
in reality there is furthur discrimination within bumiputra.
and malay people are often preferred over non-muslim bumiputras
when it comes to educational or other government grants.
this economic policy was introduced in response to the 1969 incident
hence it is designed by the malay leaders to remedy an essentially malay problem
of course sabahan and sarawakian natives do receive benefits from it
but not equal benefits as received by malays

You're wrong pancaindera. Sabahan & Sarawakian enjoy more economic rights in their states as opposed to us. We West Msian had to only looked how the Sabahan & Sarawakian natives enjoy their rights as guaranteed by autonomy given over to Sabah & Sarawak.

No other states in Malaysia enjoy that kind of autonomy.

QUOTE
I know that the Philippines is only interested in the oil of Sabah which will make Sulu & Sabah will prosper by supplying oil to the Philippines. Sabah will have more peace and freedom with the Philippines than with Malaysia.

I think the Sultanate of Sulu has another plan to reclaim Sabah using the Socio-Demographic Engineering where he populates Sabah with Muslim Filipinos until the Filipino population becomes the majority.

As if! Philippines Govt. cannot even guarantee peace in South Filipino. They can't enrich their own people. Economy is in the dumps. Freedom .... aaacccckkkk. Sabahan have more freedom if they remain with Malaysia.

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Protoculture Jan 17 2006, 04:22 AM Post #45

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The fate of North Borneo today shall only be determined through propreity and hereditary rights by the heirs, not even the Philippine government can act alone on this, whether to pursue the claim or drop it.

The fate of Sabah will be decided by her people, who undoubtedly MALAYSIAN.

No quarter about that.

QUOTE
It is true that Sabah is the most densely populated by filipinos in any country in the world. It is true that there are many job opportunities in Sabah than in Southern Philippines because of the Muslim Insurgence and Terrorism in Southern Mindanao which also originated from Sabah. Filipinos are also discrimitated, maltreated and deported in Sabah that is why they have to convert to Malaysian citizenship

Filipinos that are ill-treated in Sabah are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. They ain't legal. Which means they have to be deported, while Sabah Govt. had to pay from public funds for their fares back to Filipino.

The ones getting Msian citizenships are Mindanao refugees (not illegals) that were given exception & fled in 1970s to seek shelter in Sabah. Being in Msia for 30 yrs they succeeded in their application & become neutralised Malaysian citizen.

So thats basically covers it. I'm sorry if I'm being a little harsh in my postings, but I got tired of unsubstantiated Sabah's claim by Philippines. I get to dash any foolish hopes of Phil forummers dreams of acquiring Sabah as Phil territory.

Phil Govt. should ditch the claim & improve the lives of millions of its citizens still lived in poverty.

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Datu Mandub Jan 17 2006, 04:53 AM Post #46

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QUOTE(Protoculture @ Jan 17 2006, 04:22 AM)
The fate of Sabah will be decided by her people, who undoubtedly MALAYSIAN.

No quarter about that.

I refer to the fate of the claim filed in ICJ

So far the Malaysian government is concerned it still honors the court decision in 1939, they are still paying every year. In 1958 before the Federation Taganak island (Turtle Island) was also given to the Sultan because he is about to settle the claim to the British in Jesselton.

Anyway, majority of the Sabahans nowadays has it's roots from Sulu. Not to mention it's first Minister who is from Jama Mapum (Cagayan de Tawi Tawi) and some big businessmen.

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martin_nuke Jan 17 2006, 04:54 AM Post #47

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QUOTE(Protoculture @ Jan 17 2006, 04:05 AM)
3. Hullo, its the South Filipino territories that is terrorist haven. Do I need to ring a bell? MILF? MNLF? Abu Sayyaf?

The MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaf get their weapons from Sabah and its a fact.

QUOTE
New sultan of Sulu vows to
wrest Sabah from Malaysia

THE newly crowned sultan of Sulu in the southern Philippines said on Sunday he will fight to get back the state of Sabah from Malaysian control, claiming territorial rights over the North Borneo territory.

“I will fight for my family’s rights in the World Court,” Rodinood Julaspi Kiram 2nd told hundreds of followers outside a mosque in Quezon City, where he was crowned the 29th sultan of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.

“Malaysia is illegally occupying Sabah. Sabah is ours, we will take it back.”

Kiram said he was appalled to watch television images of Filipino women and children being maltreated by Malaysian police in several Sabah communities. Tens of thousands of Filipinos in Sabah have been sent back home since 2002.

“The Malaysians have no authority to expel Filipinos from Sabah because the territory belongs to us,” he said, adding he would enlist the help of the Philippine government to bring his case to the International Court of Justice.

Kiram, 56, is only now ascending to the sultanate’s throne, five years after his father’s death, because of confusion about succession rules. The last Sultan of Sulu left about 70 families as heirs.

Kiram said Malaysia helped Muslim rebels fight Manila in the 1970s, providing the separatists with sanctuaries, training bases, weapons and moral support. He said he knew about the Malaysia’s role in the rebellion because he was a former guerrilla leader himself.

Kiram said Malaysia has recently changed strategy and agreed to broker peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Muslim rebels only to protect its claims on Sabah.

On Monday, President Arroyo will host a private dinner with Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s former prime minister, due to address a business conference this week.

President Arroyo’s spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said Mrs. Arroyo will thank Mahathir for his key role in brokering talks between the government and Muslim rebels, due to resume this month in Kuala Lumpur.

The dispute over Sabah is among long-standing irritants in ties between the two Southeast Asian nations, but was placed on the backburners as trade and investment links grew in the early 1990s.

The Sultanate of Sulu obtained Sabah from the Sultanate of Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island. The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of Second World War.

Even after Sabah became part of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur still pays an annual rent of 5,000 ringgit ($1,315) to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu.

In the 1960s, the Philippines tried and failed to claim ownership of Sabah, including a bungled covert operation that helped trigger a Muslim rebellion in the 1970s

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/o...041004top7.html

This post has been edited by martin_nuke: Jan 17 2006, 05:06 AM

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Datu Mandub Jan 17 2006, 05:23 AM Post #48

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This "Sultan" Rodinood Julaspi is only a pretender, in fact he cannot set foot in a place where he was crowned (Tandang Sora, Quezon City) because he fooled a lot of Muslims there, I was told by the council that he stashed away around 2 million ringgit in donations.

Rodinood Julaspi Kiram is not recognized by the heirs of Sulu nor related by blood to the Sultan who filed the 1962 North Borneo Claim. His Genealogy is questionable up to this day.

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pancaindera Jan 17 2006, 09:36 AM Post #49

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QUOTE(Protoculture @ Jan 17 2006, 09:13 AM)
You're wrong pancaindera. Sabahan & Sarawakian enjoy more economic rights in their states as opposed to us. We West Msian had to only looked how the Sabahan & Sarawakian natives enjoy their rights as guaranteed by autonomy given over to Sabah & Sarawak.

I was talking from a broader perspective. in particular development of the
peoples (sabahans)' minds in order to compete with other races, ie: education.
in the UK i think 98% of the govt. sponsored students i see are ethnic malays.
where are the native sabahans and sarawakians? they r sent to some lousy
local institutions.
You are right though, we do have a fair degree of autonomy 'in our own state'.
the regulations regarding work permits and land ownership have its roots during
the formation of malaysia in '63. this im not a big fan myself.
I have witnessed honest and sincere west malaysian living in sabah for over
20 years but still unable to obtain a sabah PR.
A filipino can easily obtain a PR overnight. I blame corrupt leaders,
be they from the former ruling PBS or even current ruling BN (guided by federal govt).
But where can rights/autonomy in 'our own state' lead us in the future?
Without education/brains this 'autonomy' means nothing.
Yes, we also have a local parliament,
with a little bit of brilliance, magic and guile by federal govt,
we now have a 'disproportionate' power in our local parliament given
to the ethnic malay minorities.
i might be lying when i say disproportionate cos:
every muslim bumiputra are now considered 'malay'.
including most of the legal 1/2 million indonesian and filipino muslims
immigrants here in sabah are now 'malays'.
Im sorry maybe a bit off topic here.
Just to clear up, im NOT supporting philippines' claim to sabah, okay.
-cheers

This post has been edited by pancaindera: Jan 17 2006, 10:03 AM

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pancaindera Jan 17 2006, 09:49 AM Post #50

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QUOTE(martin_nuke @ Jan 17 2006, 12:42 AM)

I think the Sultanate of Sulu has another plan to reclaim Sabah using the Socio-Demographic Engineering where he populates Sabah with Muslim Filipinos until the Filipino population becomes the majority.

forgive my ignorance,
but does the Sultanate of Sulu still exist today?
do they practice 'any' amount of sovereignty over 'any' land today?
if not, it is up to RP to make a move, isnt it?

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pancaindera Jan 17 2006, 09:54 AM Post #51

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QUOTE(Ek-ek @ Jan 17 2006, 03:49 AM)
-hmm HUMM, as far as we all know , Indonesia , Philippines had opposed the plan of creation of Malaysia even before it was given an independence from the British empire, Sarawak and Ligitan are being claimed by Indonesia and Sabah being claimed by the Sultan of Sulu , while Kedah and Perlis were once part of the Kingdom of Siam.

Philippines may use this fact as mere evidence to support their claim, but thats it.
It will not be sufficient to constitute as a basis or grounds of claim in itself.
IMHEO.

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QUOTE(pancaindera @ Jan 17 2006, 09:49 AM)
forgive my ignorance,
but does the Sultanate of Sulu still exist today?
do they practice 'any' amount of sovereignty over 'any' land today?
if not, it is up to RP to make a move, isnt it?

Yes the Sultanate of Sulu still exists and the Philippine government has done everything to support the Sultan in the Sabah Claim but unfortunately I think there is no hope especially when I knew that the new Sultan of Sulu Rodinood Julaspi is not that genuine and its very sad I think this Sabah claim must be dropped for now.

I think the Philippine government must concentrate on the Spratleys dispute which is also of great concern.

This post has been edited by martin_nuke: Jan 17 2006, 10:21 AM

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QUOTE(pancaindera @ Jan 17 2006, 09:54 AM)
Philippines may use this fact as mere evidence to support their claim, but thats it.
It will not be sufficient to constitute as a basis or grounds of claim in itself.
IMHEO.

The big question is "Why is Malaysia still paying rent to the Sultan of Sulu?" meaning that there is evidence that Sabah is not Malaysia's but it belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu.

This post has been edited by martin_nuke: Jan 17 2006, 10:26 AM

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Protoculture Jan 17 2006, 11:01 PM Post #54

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QUOTE(Datu Mandub @ Jan 17 2006, 04:53 AM)
I refer to the fate of the claim filed in ICJ

Anyway, majority of the Sabahans nowadays has it's roots from Sulu. Not to mention it's first Minister who is from Jama Mapum (Cagayan de Tawi Tawi) and some big businessmen.

So what? Actually, majority of Sabahans, especially native Kadazandusun & Rungus plus Murut-Dyak tribes are native only to Sabah, not Sulu. Other ethnicities may have historical lienage with Sulu, but that's it. Ain't gonna do a jack to change Sabahans minds from becoming Filipino.

QUOTE
The MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaf get their weapons from Sabah and its a fact.

What facts? Where does it documented? From what we Malaysians know, majority of Jemaah Islamiyyah terrorists got basic trainings from South Filipino.

Hell, why would Abu Sayyaf crossed borders & kidnap foreigners in Malaysian Sabah's resort?

We symphatised with Moro's plights, but we ain't stupid to meddle into South Filipino's mess. Instead, Sabah was swamped with refugees back in 1970s & now illegal immigrants because Filipino Govt. was inefficient to clean up their back door in Mindanao isles.

When Nur Misuari fled to Msia after his final failed rebellion in 2004, the Sabah's Police ambushed & send him to ISA detention centre (reserved for suspected terrorists, fanatical political leaders or internal risks) in Peninsular Msia. Hell, for a while even MY Govt. don't allow his family to visit him. Plus we handed him back to you guys for trial in Philippines soil.

Ain't that enough?

Protoculture Jan 17 2006, 11:19 PM Post #55

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QUOTE(pancaindera @ Jan 17 2006, 09:36 AM)
I was talking from a broader perspective. in particular development of the
peoples (sabahans)' minds in order to compete with other races, ie: education.
in the UK i think 98% of the govt. sponsored students i see are ethnic malays.
where are the native sabahans and sarawakians? they r sent to some lousy
local institutions.

Well, this would've something to do with academic achievements. Unfortunately, as many native Sabahan (the same case with rural Malays) students in rural areas whose results are only average. To enroll to local Universities, even for Diploma, one must have good qualification. Sabah's State Education Dept. should more to alleviate the problem.

My best advice, looked for MARA for education (IKM, Kolej Polytech MARA, UniKL, UiTM, Giat MARA + MARA sponsorship) & business opportunities for Small Medium Enterprise as with funds. MARA protects native Sabahan Bumiputra, especially in Sabah's state itself.

QUOTE
But where can rights/autonomy in 'our own state' lead us in the future?
Without education/brains this 'autonomy' means nothing.
Yes, we also have a local parliament,
with a little bit of brilliance, magic and guile by federal govt,
we now have a 'disproportionate' power in our local parliament given
to the ethnic malay minorities.
i might be lying when i say disproportionate cos:
every muslim bumiputra are now considered 'malay'.

Ahhh, you're in bit of error there, mate. UMNO (the ruling party of BN coalition that administered Malaysia) has broadened its term of Malay to include non-Muslim Sabahan natives as Malays too. I was a bit surprised to know that nearly half of UMNO members in Sabah are non-Muslims, mainly from Kadazandusun, Rungus, Murut, Sea Bajau, Visaya & Sino-Kadazan. Given that UMNO is UNITED MALAY NATIONAL ORGANISATION representing Malay power in Msia, seems to me, those non-Muslim & non-Malay Sabahasn UMNO members is considered Malay too, even if its worked only for political reasons.

My best advice, cherished your state's autonomy. Your forefathers demanded that rights before joining Malaysian Federation. It has served to keep the rights of native Sabahan since Independence.

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QUOTE(martin_nuke @ Jan 17 2006, 10:13 AM)
I think the Philippine government must concentrate on the Spratleys dispute which is also of great concern.

On that note, MY should do the same too. The problem is, Big Red China is towering over Spratlys claims.

The only solution, joint-venture development of the isles.

Protoculture Jan 17 2006, 11:23 PM Post #57

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QUOTE(martin_nuke @ Jan 17 2006, 10:25 AM)
The big question is "Why is Malaysia still paying rent to the Sultan of Sulu?" meaning that there is evidence that Sabah is not Malaysia's but it belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu.

Nahhh, its trivial issue.

Sultanate of Sulu ceased to be an institution a long time ago.

I'll back the Sabahans right to remain with Malaysia.

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Malaysia was the staging ground for two abduction cases by the Abu Sayaaf terrorist group in the past two years, but was not a focus of attention for either domestic or international terrorism investigations. In a recent report, however, FBI officials stated that Malaysia was in fact a “primary operational launch pad for the Sept. 11 attacks.” While Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad strongly criticized the report, he also admitted that police have identified about 50 Malaysians with al Qaeda connections.

http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/sea.cfm

What im afraid of that one day there will be an Islamic State or what you call Jihad Archipelago that will incorporate Indonesia, Malaysia and Southern Philippines as one Islamic State and Sabah will be included. Sultanates will be disolved and it will be a cruel Islamic Government.

This post has been edited by martin_nuke: Jan 18 2006, 12:33 AM

The Red Baron Jan 18 2006, 02:31 AM Post #59

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QUOTE(martin_nuke @ Jan 17 2006, 11:29 PM)
Malaysia was the staging ground for two abduction cases by the Abu Sayaaf terrorist group in the past two years, but was not a focus of attention for either domestic or international terrorism investigations. In a recent report, however, FBI officials stated that Malaysia was in fact a “primary operational launch pad for the Sept. 11 attacks.” While Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad strongly criticized the report, he also admitted that police have identified about 50 Malaysians with al Qaeda connections.

http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/sea.cfm

What im afraid of that one day there will be an Islamic State or what you call Jihad Archipelago that will incorporate Indonesia, Malaysia and Southern Philippines as one Islamic State and Sabah will be included. Sultanates will be disolved and it will be a cruel Islamic Government.

Datu Mandub Jan 18 2006, 04:08 AM Post #60

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QUOTE(Protoculture @ Jan 17 2006, 11:01 PM)
So what? Actually, majority of Sabahans, especially native Kadazandusun & Rungus plus Murut-Dyak tribes are native only to Sabah, not Sulu. Other ethnicities may have historical lienage with Sulu, but that's it. Ain't gonna do a jack to change Sabahans minds from becoming Filipino.
What facts? Where does it documented? From what we Malaysians know, majority of Jemaah Islamiyyah terrorists got basic trainings from South Filipino.

I assume you know why the mountain is called Kota Kinabalu......the Bornean wives really weep when the Tausug warriors nearly wipe all their males. In Kudat district and Sandakan the majority can speak Tausug. Take note I am refering to the population here only within the Dominions of the former Sultanate of Sulu as declared on the Lease of Agreement in 1879, from the boundaries of river Kimanis on the west and River Atas on the east.

Anyway, most of the heirs themselves are not interested in pushing the claim for North Borneo. I was telling them a few years ago of the possibilities that if they become Malaysians their title of nobility will be officially recognize by the government, being Royalty in North Borneo they could gain some priveleges which they could not get being a Filipino, they can have their own Istanah (Palace) and a new Sultan for North Borneo can be chosen among the legitimate heirs to act as symbolic leader (without political power)

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What malaysians say about our Sabah claim
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sushi Posted: Nov 11 2006, 02:31 PM

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I have no doubt that when the time is ripe, we will take back what is rightfully ours. All it takes is a strong economy and a strong nationalist leader.

--------------------

"I die without seeing the dawn break on my
country...You who are about to see it, greet
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the night!" - Dr. Jose Rizal

Borne of Fire

loui_ludwig Posted: Nov 24 2006, 12:51 AM

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Its not the whole Malaysians opinion but its the people of Sabah only who has the say on this. If they want to staly with Malaysia, so be it.

Tony Moon Posted: Dec 22 2006, 05:46 PM

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That's very unfortunate for the country that takes the loss isn't it?

We have similar cases elswhere:

The British government is confident that the "people" who inhabit the Falkland islands are pro British because the Argentine racial and cultural element has been virtually wiped out and replaced by decades of British immigration and settlement.

The territory of Gibraltar also has no more "Spanish" elements within its residents. They have all been thoroughly "Briticised".

Pakistan should have rightfully still been part of India. Even Muhammad Ali Jinnah who founded Pakistan was once a staunch follower of the Indian Independence movement and member of the Congress Party. But the Brits are famous for their ill-willed duplicity. They saw to it that India will never be as rich and powerful as it was under their rule, so they encouraged muslims to revolt against their hindu and buddhist brethren.

Sabah, just like Palestinian question, is another famous british authored anomaly.

Yes Sir, those slimy limey S.O.B.s sure know how to screw things up for the original locals.

Marschall Posted: Dec 23 2006, 08:07 AM

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It's because the Malaysians deported the Filipinos as illegal aliens...we'll get it back, don't worry

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