^^ ano ba yung balak bilhin na ukay ukay sa Tunisia? Sana sa Israel nalang sila bumili ng ukay-ukay...wag naman sa mga arabo :lol:

a C-130H Hercules transport aircraft. it was formerly owned by the Tunisian Air Force but was sold to Derco Aerospace, the lone company that won the bidding of the PAF for its C-130 requirement.

Wag lang po ipakita sa mga People's Liberation Army (PLA) kasi panigurado parang mga tigreng magagalit ang Tsina:

http://www.nanking-massacre.com/content_images/nanking_massacre_Rape_of_nanking_killing_people_practice.jpg
http://www.nanking-massacre.com/content_images/nanking_massacre_Rape_of_nanking_killing_people_practice.jpg
Training for new Soldiers

Rape of Nanking photo

^^ Sayang at wala pang camera nung 1600s para ipakita sana sa kanila paano natin pinalayas si Limahong :lol:

Secure Spratlys – Aquino



Manila Times
April 20, 2011


Ensure smooth search for oil, PCG ordered

By Cris G. Odronia Reporter

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd has ordered the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to provide security for offshore oil drilling and oil exploration in the western part of the Philippines, including the disputed Spratly Islands.

During his speech at the change of command ceremony at the PCG headquarters in Manila, President Aquino said that the Coast Guard has been put in charge of securing the area.

“Bukod sa paninigurong walang nakakapasok na masasamang elemento tulad ng droga, piniratang gamit at anumang bagay na banta sa seguridad ng ating bansa, tinitiyak din ng PCG na malinis at ligtas sa polusyon ang ating teritoryong pandagat (Apart from ensuring that illegal drugs, pirated stuff and any other things that pose a threat to national security, the PCG will also ensure that our territorial waters are free and safe from pollution),” the President added.

“Kaya naman ipinagkatiwala ko sa PCG ang offshore drilling and oil exploration sa kanlurang bahagi ng Pilipinas. Katuwang namin kayo sa pagtuklas ng mga potensyal na pagmumulan ng karagdagang enerhiya para sa mga Pilipino (That was why I entrusted to PCG the securing of the offshore drilling and oil exploration in the western part of the Philippines. You in the PCG are our partners in discovering potential sources of energy for Filipinos),” Mr. Aquino said.

Last month, two Chinese patrol boats threatened to ram a Philippine survey ship that was conducting seismic tests in Reed Bank, 250 kilometers west of Palawan.

The government filed a diplomatic protest with Chinese government over the incident that allegedly gained scant attention from Beijing.

Newly installed PCG commander and Vice Admiral Ramon Liwag said that they will provide the security asked of them by the President.
He described the Spratly Islands as a “sensitive area.”

“We have a claim to the islands, but of course, in order not to be provocative (in connection with our claim), we use a civilian agency, for that matter, the Philippine Coast Guard,” he said.

Liwag new PCG head
The Presiden installed Liwag as the new PCG chief, replacing Wilfredo Tamayo during the change of command ceremony at the PCG headquarters.

During his speech, he said that he was confident that Liwag would continue the reforms started by his predecessor.

Mr. Aquino challenged the new PCG head to resist any temptation.

“Ang hamon ko sa iyo, Admiral Liwag: huwag kang magpapahila sa tukso ng panlalamang. Naitalaga ka upang maglingkod ng marangal sa iyong mga Boss; huwag mo silang bibiguin,” he said.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese coast guards stationed in the South China Sea where the Spratlys are will undergo rigorous combat training, an official said on Tuesday, in response to China’s more assertive stance in disputed waters.

The guards posted in the area will receive training akin to that of members of Taiwan’s elite Marine Corps, said Wang Chung-yi, the deputy chief of the Coast Guard Administration.

“We need strength to defend our sovereignty,” he told Agence France-Presse.

Wang did not provide details about the training, but the Liberty Times newspaper said that it would include skills in areas such as coastal defense against amphibious attack.

Taiwan’s Goast Guard Administration currently has a base on Taiping, the biggest island in the disputed Spratlys archipelago.

The island, which has a runway to smooth logistical support, is reported to have a garrison of about 130 guards.

The move comes as China becomes increasingly assertive in the potentially resource-rich South China Sea, after several years of relative quiet.

Taiwan on Monday reiterated its claims to the Spratlys, along with three other island groups in the South China Sea, amid a flare-up in tensions between the Philippines and China over rival claims.

“We urge the Philippines not to take any unilateral move that will spark controversy in the South China Sea,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines claim all or part of the Spratlys, which could lie on top of large oil reserves.

The Philippine military last week said that it planned to use a new US-made vessel to boost patrols in the disputed waters, after a complaint about Chinese patrol boats harassing a Philippine oil exploration vessel in the area.

Manila also announced plans to pursue oil exploration in the area and to upgrade its military airfield on one of the islands, while lodging a formal protest at the United Nations over China’s claims.

Dagdagan din po sana ang armaments ng PCG para may katuwang ang PN.

^^ Finally, after years of Arroyo's empire, someone who thinks of securing our maritime territory. I just hope his administration won't send any "representatives" in China anymore. Even Taiwan, China's "renegade" province in concerned about the mainland's aggression in the SC sea

more new hardware sa AFP sana ang result sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

Secure Spratlys – Aquino

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd has ordered the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to provide security for offshore oil drilling and oil exploration in the western part of the Philippines, including the disputed Spratly Islands.

During his speech at the change of command ceremony at the PCG headquarters in Manila, President Aquino said that the Coast Guard has been put in charge of securing the area.

“Bukod sa paninigurong walang nakakapasok na masasamang elemento tulad ng droga, piniratang gamit at anumang bagay na banta sa seguridad ng ating bansa, tinitiyak din ng PCG na malinis at ligtas sa polusyon ang ating teritoryong pandagat (Apart from ensuring that illegal drugs, pirated stuff and any other things that pose a threat to national security, the PCG will also ensure that our territorial waters are free and safe from pollution),” the President added.

“Kaya naman ipinagkatiwala ko sa PCG ang offshore drilling and oil exploration sa kanlurang bahagi ng Pilipinas. Katuwang namin kayo sa pagtuklas ng mga potensyal na pagmumulan ng karagdagang enerhiya para sa mga Pilipino (That was why I entrusted to PCG the securing of the offshore drilling and oil exploration in the western part of the Philippines. You in the PCG are our partners in discovering potential sources of energy for Filipinos),” Mr. Aquino said.


oh, good luck to our Coast Guard! cos not only are they sorely lacking in the armaments department, apparently they also have a shortage of staff..
I hope PNOY and the new PCG commandant are aware of that, and that they heed outgoing chief's advice in this earlier press release.

Outgoing Coast Guard commandant says thousands of staff needed

Posted on April 17, 2011 11:02:04 PM

THE PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) needs to increase its staff to at least 10,000 in the next five years if it is to perform its functions well, outgoing PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo said at the weekend.

Mr. Tamayo will meet with President Benigno S. C. Aquino III for the change of command ceremony on Tuesday.

The Philippines, Mr. Tamayo said, has a coastline measuring 36,259 kilometers in total -- the fourth largest in the world -- which means that ideally its coast guard should be 36,000 strong.

"If we were to base it on a 1:1 ratio, meaning one coast guard staff for every kilometer coastline, we’re looking at 36,000 personnel," he said in an interview over state-run dzRB.

To date the PCG is only 5,400 strong.

"We’d be happy if our numbers grew to 10,000 in the next five years so we can add to the people monitoring and coordinating maritime activities, particularly whenever there are incidents," Mr. Tamayo said.

New recruits

On a positive note, he added that the PCG is looking at 600-700 recruits who had passed the examinations held last Feb. 12. Around 400-450 are expected to finish training by June.

Mr. Tamayo, who saw the passage of the Philippine Coast Guard Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9993) signed February last year, also said that the PCG is currently in a very good position to strengthen its numbers.

The law formally established the PCG as an independent armed service under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) following the agency’s separation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 1997.

However, the PCG would still be placed under the direct command of the Department of National Defense in times of war, and is also obliged to train together with members of the AFP.

"Perhaps now is the opportunity to use this law... so we can take better care of our marine resource," said Mr. Tamayo.

Preserving our marine resources, he stressed, will help "food sustainability, food security, [and even] energy security concerns of the country."

His two-year term saw improvements in equipment modernization. He expressed hope that this continues with his as yet unnamed successor.

Candidates for the post include Vice Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral
Ramon C. Liwag, Vice Commandant for Administration Rear Admiral Edmund C. Tan and PCG National Capital Region-Central Luzon district commander Commodore Luis Tuason, Jr. -- Johanna Paola D. Poblete

Beijing counters Manila's UN protest, says Philippines 'started to invade' Spratlys in 1970s
By Teresa Cerojano, The Associated Press | The Canadian Press – Tue, 19 Apr, 2011 9:22 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines - China countered a Philippine diplomatic protest at the United Nations by saying it has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly islands that Manila "started to invade" in the 1970s.

China's diplomatic note to the U.N., a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday, said the Philippines' occupation of some islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands infringes upon China's sovereignty. Nansha Islands are also known as Spratlys.

The Philippines' protest filed earlier this month said China's claim to the islands and nearby geographic features has no basis in international law. The claim was detailed in a map submitted to the U.N. in 2009.

The Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam claim in whole or in part the Spratlys — a group of islands, reefs and atolls in the South China Sea believed to be sitting atop vast oil and gas reserves.

Vietnam and Malaysia filed protests to the United Nations in 2009 against China's map, and Indonesia, a non-claimant to the territory, also protested last year.

The protests are registered with the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which will not rule on a claim if it involves disputed territory unless there is prior consent given by all states involved in the dispute.

China said the contents of the Philippines' diplomatic note "are totally unacceptable to the Chinese Government."

Manila says the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys was an integral part of the Philippines, and it has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area under the international law principle that land dominates the sea.

China says its sovereignty is supported by abundant historical and legal evidence.

It said before the 1970s, the Philippines never claimed the islands in a series of treaties defining its territory.

But since then, "the Philippines started to invade and occupy some islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands and made relevant territorial claims, to which China objects strongly," said China's April 14 note to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

China said the doctrine that a legal right cannot arise from an unlawful act means the Philippines cannot rightfully claim the islands.


^^ ok, that's it. im out. does anyone have a copy of that goddamn map and those historical and legal evidence they have?
i'm fuckin pissed at the way we did our claim, why haven't we released our historical maps?! those dating back to at least 3 centuries before even Tomas Cloma "discovered" it. why are we still sticking to that story anyway? Cloma only 'rediscovered' something that was already ours even way before! and all the government had to do was to enforce our old dominion if they only did some research! :bash::bash:

asian bully is really pissing me off. hindi pa nga ganap na superpower kung makaasta na. why did we even kicked out the americans in subic? hindi naman sila makaporma dati ng ganyan.

^^ Speaking of americans..

Oh no! i think i know now why we're not using those historical maps we have from the 1600s to 1800s to support our claim and instead, sticking to the terra nullius and land dominates the sea principles only. it's cos we've lost them in the transition! :bash: So basically our history in Kalayaan has been erased and we had to start all over again with Tomas Cloma discovery story. :(
Sigh! AGAIN, we owe our miseries to you Uncle! thank you for your negligent mapping of the country when you took over, and recklessly missing out those islands in those maps and treaties you represented us in. :gaah::gaah:

Good luck to our claim.

Giving up Spratly's would mean giving up control of South China Sea to China. US is in full support of our claim so we really should protect it no matter what.

^^ OK, im good. haha! No giving up!! :okay:

But just to demonstrate, this was the Philippines as it was handed to us in 1946.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/manileno/drumsey.jpg
US Coast and Geodetic Survey

No Kalayaan/Bajos de Paragua/Spratlys.

Having said that, however we still stand a good chance over Scarborough Shoal as it appears in this American map. :)

But for Kalayaan, i think when the time comes, we can still argue our historical territorial claim to them particularly those 3 island groups we've identified as Bajios de Paragua in old maps, together with the terra nullius and EEZ in a future treaty that will set out our new limits but one that will have to be agreed upon by other parties with an arbiter or decided upon by the international tribunal. :cheers:

Beijing counters Manila's UN protest, says Philippines 'started to invade' Spratlys in 1970s
By Teresa Cerojano, The Associated Press | The Canadian Press – Tue, 19 Apr, 2011 9:22 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines - China countered a Philippine diplomatic protest at the United Nations by saying it has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly islands that Manila "started to invade" in the 1970s.

China's diplomatic note to the U.N., a copy of which was seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday, said the Philippines' occupation of some islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands infringes upon China's sovereignty. Nansha Islands are also known as Spratlys.

The Philippines' protest filed earlier this month said China's claim to the islands and nearby geographic features has no basis in international law. The claim was detailed in a map submitted to the U.N. in 2009.

The Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam claim in whole or in part the Spratlys — a group of islands, reefs and atolls in the South China Sea believed to be sitting atop vast oil and gas reserves.

Vietnam and Malaysia filed protests to the United Nations in 2009 against China's map, and Indonesia, a non-claimant to the territory, also protested last year.

The protests are registered with the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which will not rule on a claim if it involves disputed territory unless there is prior consent given by all states involved in the dispute.

China said the contents of the Philippines' diplomatic note "are totally unacceptable to the Chinese Government."

Manila says the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys was an integral part of the Philippines, and it has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area under the international law principle that land dominates the sea.

China says its sovereignty is supported by abundant historical and legal evidence.

It said before the 1970s, the Philippines never claimed the islands in a series of treaties defining its territory.

But since then, "the Philippines started to invade and occupy some islands and reefs of China's Nansha Islands and made relevant territorial claims, to which China objects strongly," said China's April 14 note to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

China said the doctrine that a legal right cannot arise from an unlawful act means the Philippines cannot rightfully claim the islands.


^^ ok, that's it. im out. does anyone have a copy of that goddamn map and those historical and legal evidence they have?
i'm fuckin pissed at the way we did our claim, why haven't we released our historical maps?! those dating back to at least 3 centuries before even Tomas Cloma "discovered" it. why are we still sticking to that story anyway? Cloma only 'rediscovered' something that was already ours even way before! and all the government had to do was to enforce our old dominion if they only did some research! :bash::bash:

Uncle Hu is a far bigger and fatter liar than Uncle Sam. The closest thing they can produce is a map of the 1930s!

Have you seen the Spratlys'o.org site? Major Chinese propaganda full of essays but not evidences! Haha.

China = all talk, no evidence. Yabang porket may seat sa P5 ng Security Council.

Hmm.. looks like something's brewing behind our backs in Beijing.
Oh, lookey! It's our 2 favourite neighbours and their leaders :sly: :lol::lol:

Talks to resolve claims over Spratlys
2011/04/19

http://www.nst.com.my/articles/4nechna3/single
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife, Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman (right), being welcomed by staff of the Malaysian embassy upon his arrival in Beijing yesterday.


CHINA and Malaysia have agreed that the overlapping claims on Spratly Islands should be settled through diplomatic engagements to preserve the peace and security in the South China Sea.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that in a meeting with China's Vice-Premier Li Keqiang yesterday, the latter had given his assurance that the republic would continue to help maintain the peace and security in the South China Sea and Straits of Malacca.

"China wants us to have bilateral talks on the Spratly Islands issue and we have agreed. It is important to have diplomatic engagements to ensure regional security and peace," said Muhyiddin after visiting the Experimental High School, which is attached to Beijing Normal University.

The one-hour meeting between Muhyiddin and Li was held in the Great Hall of the People, which functions as the republic's Parliament building. Li later hosted a luncheon for Muhyiddin and his entourage in the building.

Muhyiddin said Malaysia would also relay China's request to other Asean member countries, especially those which have made partial or total claim on Spratly Islands.

Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea between Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Malaysia and Brunei.


They comprise less than four square kilometres of land area, spread over more than 425,000 square kilometres of sea.

Muhyiddin said the Spratly Islands issue must be carefully studied and discussed and it was also important to engage China to resolve the dispute.

In the meeting with Li, Muhyiddin said both parties also agreed to cooperate on other matters that include improving food security as both countries imported food products from each other.


"We also agreed to expand our business and trade cooperation in other fields, covering oil and gas, agriculture, forestry and green technology," he said, adding that the matters would be discussed thoroughly when Premier Wen Jiabao visits Malaysia later this month.

He said trade and investments between the two countries had also increased more than seven fold in the last 10 years, from only US$6 billion (RM18.1 billion) in 2001 to US$45 billion last year.

^^ The next thing China will do is claim Malaysia as part of their "core interest" and part of their "ancient times territory" :lol:

Why don't they just claim Singapore then? 75% of its population is ethnic Chinese, anyway :lol:

But, I'm not surprised at Malaysia's decision. I've seen it coming. Last year, they were saying that China is not a threat. :lol:

Oh, well. Good luck

I'd rather that we lose Chinese investment than our territory. We can replace Chinese investment but we cannot replace or take back our territory if we give in to Uncle Hu

^^ OK, im good. haha! No giving up!! :okay:

But just to demonstrate, this was the Philippines as it was handed to us in 1946.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa281/manileno/drumsey.jpg
US Coast and Geodetic Survey

No Kalayaan/Bajos de Paragua/Spratlys.

Having said that, however we still stand a good chance over Scarborough Shoal as it appears in this American map. :)

But for Kalayaan, i think when the time comes, we can still argue our historical territorial claim to them particularly those 3 island groups we've identified as Bajios de Paragua in old maps, together with the terra nullius and EEZ in a future treaty that will set out our new limits but one that will have to be agreed upon by other parties with an arbiter or decided upon by the international tribunal. :cheers:

Maybe we should swallow our pride and bring the US base back and let them build off the coast of Palawan while it buys the Philippines more time to modernize its military. :lol:

Screw the commies who support those protest groups. They should be all charged for treason, conspiracy and economic sabotage. If they cry human rights, then those are within the limitation for the government also has the right of self preservation.

^^ Might as well built the bases on the KIG :lol:

And the commies would be stripped of Philippine citizenship. There are many people who wanted to be Philippine citizens yet because of its outrageous requirements and cost, many are unable to do so. Yet, we have these native-born traitors who are more loyal to China than the Philippines. They are akin to the US citizen terrorists who are more loyal to Bin Laden and the royal family of Saudi than their own country.

We have yet to hear from these bastards what they say about Chinese aggression and even dared to call us invaders. Maybe, the commies have no idea where the Chinese embassy is? :lol:

War Is Hell ~ Gen. Sherman

Mahirap ang giyera, walang panalo maski sino. Just make this into a nice beach resort kung walang makitang langis. :D

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0dGxa863Dv0fB/610x.jpg
Philippine Army troops take a leisurely walk along the white sand beach of Pag-asa.

That bullcr*p. We are going to war in case they do that . Everybody know uncle sam is really itching to wage a war against China. That might be the signal they're waiting for.

We might just get a tremendous military upgrade (realization of modernization?) if we go to war with China...bebentahan tayo ni Uncle Sam malamang ng totoong weapons hindi yung ukay ukay nila :lol:

I dont think that uncle sam would ever want to go mess around with china, and china as well. As both countries would loss a tremendous revenues from their economic trades and it will take both countries years again to regain whatever they would lose if they went to war against each others.

Modernong barko? What do you call our Manila-Acapulco galleons that were built in Ternate and Cavite La Punta out of our polo y servicio? :) in fact, the galleons have reached these islands on their way to Canton from Manila and Mexico during the silk trade as cited in the article i posted. But since the islands were too small and kinda malayo, the Spanish and American governer generals didn't deem them fit for human occupation (like 2/3 of our 7,107 islands and islets actually that remain uninhabited to this day, only the few major ones have been populated. Some even vanish during high tide right? :lol: but theyre still part of PHL) :D

Onga pala ano hehehe...! Thanks for that excellent additional infos, i totally missed that point. :cheers:

I dont think that uncle sam would ever want to go mess around with china, and china as well. As both countries would loss a tremendous revenues from their economic trades and it will take both countries years again to regain whatever they would lose if they went to war against each others.



I'm not sure about China though I might agree with Uncle Sam. Si Uncle Hu kasi ang hilig magyabang eh. Perhaps, hanggang yabang lang siya? :lol:

I think if ever Uncle Sam goes in "confrontation" with Uncle Hu, it is likely a Cold war or Cyber warfare

I'm not sure about China though I might agree with Uncle Sam. Si Uncle Hu kasi ang hilig magyabang eh. Perhaps, hanggang yabang lang siya? :lol:

I think if ever Uncle Sam goes in "confrontation" with Uncle Hu, it is likely a Cold war or Cyber warfare


They would start from cyber warfare and try to disable each capabilities in operating through satellite signals. Because most of their weapons now relies from those signals from our blue sky. :lol:

Then both would gonna ask their own allies for help, and would try to go through conventional warfare without mostly using any of those super hitech weapons, and would rely much from radio signals. :lol:

SEATO!!!!

^^ Malas ni Uncle Sam if the Russian Bear decides to align with China, Malas ni Uncle Hu if the bear aligns itself with Uncle Sam. :lol:

Now you mentioned SEATO, I'd hate to say this, but it is likely the battle ground = ASEAN :ohno: Lagot ang Pinas. Ipit. :lol: Swerte nalang siguro ni Uncle Sam na kung allied ang Vietnam at Pinas sa kanila since our combat experiences and guerilla warfare would likely be a plus....and we use very ancient equipement. Thus, the importance of the Philippines and Vietnam as allies :lol:

^^ LOL, Japan could just send its leaked reactors to China and China is done :lol: No need for warfare.

^^ Finally, after years of Arroyo's empire, someone who thinks of securing our maritime territory. I just hope his administration won't send any "representatives" in China anymore. Even Taiwan, China's "renegade" province in concerned about the mainland's aggression in the SC sea

^^Kala na natin nun marami nang nagawa si arroyo when it comes to security issue, pero ngayon unti unting narerealize ng karamihan na wala syang masyadong nagawa talaga para ma protektahan ang ating national interest sa spratly islands.

Pero, i feel like the government of china is really serious in dealing this issue through peaceful diplomacy. I'm sure they are that scared to death too to mess around with anyone these days, dahil alam nila kung ano ang kapalit nito sa kanilang ekonomiya. So its really true na wala talagang mananalo sa gyera, ganun din sa pinas, mas kaunti lang siguro ang mawawala sa atin kumpara sa kanila.

AFP palang natin eh patapon na eh. Dilikado lang ito kung mapagyera tayo sa china, baka atakihin tayo sabay sabay ng mga rebel and terrorrist groups, nako pag mangyari yan patay KAYO dyan! :lol:

^^Kala na natin nun marami nang nagawa si arroyo when it comes to security issue, pero ngayon unti unting narerealize ng karamihan na wala syang masyadong nagawa talaga para ma protektahan ang ating national interest sa spratly islands.

Pero, i feel like the government of china is really serious in dealing this issue through peaceful diplomacy. I'm sure they are that scared to death too to mess around with anyone these days, dahil alam nila kung ano ang kapalit nito sa kanilang ekonomiya. So its really true na wala talagang mananalo sa gyera, ganun din sa pinas, mas kaunti lang siguro ang mawawala sa atin kumpara sa kanila.

AFP palang natin eh patapon na eh. Dilikado lang ito kung mapagyera tayo sa china, baka atakihin tayo sabay sabay ng mga rebel and terrorrist groups, nako pag mangyari yan patay KAYO dyan! :lol:

Buti nalang wala ako sa Pinas... :lol:... Maybe I could help nalang by funding :lol:

I feel to that China is holding restraint but still, at the same time, I think they are not totally discarding military use to deal with the "weaker states of ASEAN". But true enough, I think talaga patay ang ekonomiya nila once they attack any ASEAN member especially the hapless Philippines. The world will take pity on us and enforce an embargo on China. Wala na ekonomiya nila since they rely so much on export than domestic consumption. :lol: Pero ang problema sa diplomacy ng China, puros kasinungalingan. Tama ba naman tawagin tayong invaders sa lagay ng AFP natin? :lol: Wala pa tayong nuclear weapon katulad nila

Baka irecognize din ng mundo na free states ang Tibet, East Turkmenistan, Inner Mongolia and Taiwan. :lol: Kaya may kutob ako hanggang yabang ang bluff lang ang China.

---
Daming cover up ni Ate Glu. Pati territoryo natin halos ibenta na kay Uncle Hu!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ta0Mh59HOzo/TSvKW6uHY0I/AAAAAAAAACo/TnIKZTQF7jY/s1600/1.jpg


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ta0Mh59HOzo/TSvKd72NMPI/AAAAAAAAACs/u_kIQP_dBXg/s1600/2.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ta0Mh59HOzo/TSvKkhvP7lI/AAAAAAAAACw/8Q3v9Xc4NqE/s1600/PAF+S-70+BLACKHAWK+%2526+S-76+SIKORSKY.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ta0Mh59HOzo/TSvKrwNJgqI/AAAAAAAAAC0/Lxob_8Wr9Lw/s1600/PAF+S-76+HELI.jpg


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ta0Mh59HOzo/TSvKzi1AciI/AAAAAAAAAC4/vaGCCmP3DNs/s1600/PAF+S-76.jpg

source: http://strongphil.blogspot.com/2011/01/images-of-philippine-airforce-s-76.html

Buti naman at Nacancel na pala yung bulok na C130 order na AFP, heck mas mahal pa yun sa $40 4x ex RAF C130K deal ni Gen. Angelo Reyes, and those C130 are far better suited for us because it was designed to fly longer from UK bases to their camps in the Middle East. Suggestion ko is since we already have enough C130 na kailangan lang I-overhaul we should have just bought used ommercial 737, 767 or 747 which is now just $10m,$10M and $40m respectively. And this is more useful pa pag evacuate ng OFW's abrouad and fly longer range range and with cheaper spare parts that is freely available in the market, most of our airports can handle these big planes anyway

^^ I'm not sure but I think we only have 1 c130?

Chinese Selected Armaments


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_En-sxfOkXP8/TSmZz5YvvSI/AAAAAAAAH30/aW7p5MXEtJ4/s400/China%2BAWACS_Jeffhead.jpg
Chinese KJ-2000, the radar can detect target to 300 km range, have max operating ceiling 12,0 km and max endurance 7,7 hours. (photo : Jeffhead)



I didn't know that China has such planes. ^^

Are they 100% chinese ?

Maybe we should swallow our pride and bring the US base back and let them build off the coast of Palawan while it buys the Philippines more time to modernize its military. :lol:

Screw the commies who support those protest groups. They should be all charged for treason, conspiracy and economic sabotage. If they cry human rights, then those are within the limitation for the government also has the right of self preservation.

yea, bring them back to Palawan and let them undo their blunder themselves.

War Is Hell ~ Gen. Sherman

Mahirap ang giyera, walang panalo maski sino. Just make this into a nice beach resort kung walang makitang langis. :D

Manong, merong oil natagpuan sa Reed Bank, madami! kaya natataranta ang Beijing ngayon at nagumpisa na ulit ang gulo :lol:

^^ Kaya pala biglang tinira ang Reed Bank at tayo lang ang inakusahan na naginvade sa Spratlys :lol:

Atat. Naku, kay Ghadaffi nalang sila humingi :lol:

Humanda talaga tayo, baka pati Sulu Sea eh paginteresan nila

http://www.ccop.or.th/epf/philippines/other_pdf/TechnicalReport.pdf

^^ thanks for the link. kaya siguro nagclosed door meeting ang China at Malaysia recently, pinagusapan siguro etong map mo. Baka paghahatiin nila yung basins.. im sure Malaysia ang eepal sa Sulu Sea. :lol::lol:

Sobrang greedy talaga ng China, to think na they just completed the world's longest oil pipeline carrying direct supply all the way from Russia..

^^ Yeah, naku isn't just Malaysia south of the Sulu sea? Traydor talaga yang kapitbahay na yan. No wodner kahit yung renegade na si Misuari eh galit sa Malaysia :lol:

And the build-up to the China-ASEAN War has begun. :lol:
it seems the disputant countries are all engaged now in heavy spending for fortifications and defence of their occupied islands, and preparing their citizens to fight to protect their territories. :lol:

Fund to boost lives on Spratly
Việt Nam News Updated April, 21 2011 10:13:22



HA NOI — A fund will be established to improve life for people in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago and to appreciate the district's importance for national construction and defence.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung okayed the fund which is expected to assist spiritual and material life for soldiers, State officials and local residents living in the archipelago.

The fund also aims to raise public awareness on the role of these islands in national development.

All organisations and individuals, both domestic and foreign, are encouraged to contribute to the fund.

Dung assigned the Ministry of Defence to set up a steering committee to operate the fund with the minister as head. — VNS

^^ Cold War part II. Yikes

^^ Yeah, naku isn't just Malaysia south of the Sulu sea? Traydor talaga yang kapitbahay na yan. No wodner kahit yung renegade na si Misuari eh galit sa Malaysia :lol:

And their claiming it because of proximity/part of Sabah waaaaahhhh ang gulo nila eh atin din yun eh..?! :bash::bash::bash:

I dont trust China and Malaysia. Diba na report dati na yung mga rebeldeng napatay ay nakunan ng uniform and ibang weapons na galing Malaysia.

^^Balita ko 3 years pa raw bago makakuha ang AFP ng mga bagong military assets from ships to aircrafts that would serve to defend the islands from external threat. That means, the chinese will have another 3 yrs to laugh about while they're already scattering their subs around our archipelago. Total BS again!

Just to remind everyone here, the philippines dont really need to wait for those any modern military hardware, in times like this with a strong political will, the AFP can actually ask for more hot transfer and this is the reason why:


MNNA Benefits
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_non-NATO_ally

Nations named as major non-NATO allies are eligible for the following benefits:

>entry into cooperative research and development projects with the Department of Defense (DoD) on a shared-cost basis
>participation in certain counter-terrorism initiatives
>purchase of depleted uranium anti-tank rounds
>priority delivery of military surplus (ranging from rations to ships)
>possession of War Reserve Stocks of DoD-owned equipment that are kept outside of American military bases
>loans of equipment and materials for cooperative research and development projects and evaluations
>permission to use American financing for the purchase or lease of certain defense equipment
>reciprocal training
>expedited export processing of space technology
>permission for the country's corporations to bid on certain DoD contracts for the repair and maintenance of military equipment outside the United States

the platform for the Chinese AWAC is a Russian Il-76 cargo plane while the radar technology came from Israel

^^I was wondering if this 3 yr "gestation" is actually a part of MNNA benefits the philippiens is getting, but it also seems like they are looking for brand new ones since they mentioned about the acquisition procedure of "manufacturing" the hardwares by the supplier only after the AFP placed an order, not sure if this was a mistaken words by the person who said that, or a fault by the media, or plainly truth:



AFP to wait another 3 YEARS before getting aircraft, boats
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=678640&publicationSubCategoryId=63

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) Updated April 21, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) procurement of new patrol aircraft, gunboats, and ground radars using the P11.9 billion military budget that President Aquino ordered released would still have to pass through a three-year “gestation” period before the modern assets could be purchased.

AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban said the military would be able to get modern naval, air and land-based military assets after satisfying all the acquisition requirements.

“Within the first two years we should have already started acquisition of these floating and air assets to include ground radars,” said Oban an interview with The STAR.

He clarified that the new assets could be turned over immediately to the AFP as it usually takes another year before deliveries can be made.

“Manufacturing of these military assets are usually done by a supplier only after we have placed our order,” Oban said.

But before an order could be placed by the AFP, the military’s planned procurement must likewise pass through the required and the usually “circuitous” processes including bidding.

Highly appreciative over the President’s utmost concern over the AFP, Oban said the organization already has a generic shopping list of needed military assets to put up a respectable territorial defense in the region.

The President has already made available the funds and the AFP is now finalizing the list.


“We’re into finalizing the list, basically naval and air assets and ground radars to protect and secure our airplanes and maritime resources,” he said.

Aquino had announced the release of P11 billion to Filipino soldiers and American servicemen participating in the just concluded Phl-US Balikatan war games at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva

Ecija, to help bankroll the AFP’s defense transition from internal to external threats.

Oban said the P11 billion includes the P8.9 billion proceeds from the the Malampaya natural gas project in Palawan and the P3.1 billion counterpart fund from the AFP’s modernization fund.

Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, chief of the AFP Modernization Program, said that modernizing the military is a continuing process because the project is dependent on the availability of funds from the national government.

Deveraturda was referring to the 15-year AFP modernization program launched during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos.

The program already lapsed last year but barely attained its objective because its allocated budget of P331 billion had not been released in full.

“The Modernization Program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines should not be limited to a time frame, instead, continuity of the project must be observed for the benefit of the soldiers and the country itself,” Deveraturda said.

Under the 15-year modernization program, the AFP only received P33 billion out of the total P331 billion that was allotted by the past administration for the construction of naval, air, and ground defense facilities as well as the procurement of advanced naval and air assets and radars.

The funds intended to finance the AFP modernization program were realigned and used by the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH) and for the construction of various infrastructure projects.

The military is not complaining, saying that whatever funds it received were used wisely to enhance existing military logistics and equipment under its Capability Upgrade Program (CUP).

He said the CUP allowed the AFP to improve military gears in line with their “move, shoot, and communicate” concept where they refurbished their means of transportation, upgrading of guns and firepower, and the betterment of their communication tools.


So i smell another BS here! All this time we all know that the AFP has been looking for some used military assets to be purchased as an interim patchups, and no it seems like they're getting brand new ones? I mean its nice if it is indeed true, but it's a lot faster if they would get a hot transfer from our allies with their ready-to-purchase mothballed military hardwares.

At the same time, i also smell some error from this report as it actually takes more than 3 yrs to manufacture some brand new aircrafts or warships! So if indeed this one is only 3 yrs then maybe, they're talking about only 3 pcs to 6 pcs boats or helicopters, or even just a couple of jet trainers....? Fuuuck!

^^ hot transfers are already being done. The Hamilton.

You can't take out the acquisition process unless some revisions will be made.

Seems like this article is not a good source. Wait for more confirmatory news.

AND

Don't expect a rush on getting new goodies. The Thais waited for more than seven years for its Gripens remember? from getting the funds to delivery...that's right, more than seven years. I guess three-five years is not bad enough.

With China's increased aggressiveness and depth of LIES, 3 years is too long.... :ohno:

I dont trust China and Malaysia. Diba na report dati na yung mga rebeldeng napatay ay nakunan ng uniform and ibang weapons na galing Malaysia.

Misuari suspects that Malaysia is trying to "divide and conquer" the Moros in Mindanao because of his strong advocacy of taking back Sabah. He suspects that despite lacking neutrality, Malaysia insist on hosting talks between the Philippine government and MILF.

Misuari suspects that Malaysia is trying to "divide and conquer" the Moros in Mindanao because of his strong advocacy of taking back Sabah. He suspects that despite lacking neutrality, Malaysia insist on hosting talks between the Philippine government and MILF.

I think I've read it somewhere that Philippines offered Indonesia to host the talks with MILF but MILF insisted stating that they only want Malaysia as the only host to the issue, I think they even rejected Saudi?, I can't really recall where I've read that so I could be wrong though sry.

Anyway, just a suggestion to our Military, the should complement their lack of Boats by using missiles, imagine 1 or 2 guys with Javelin(?) on MPAC, for sure they gotta count for something.

^^ hot transfers are already being done. The Hamilton.

You can't take out the acquisition process unless some revisions will be made.

Seems like this article is not a good source. Wait for more confirmatory news.

AND

Don't expect a rush on getting new goodies. The Thais waited for more than seven years for its Gripens remember? from getting the funds to delivery...that's right, more than seven years. I guess three-five years is not bad enough.

The Hamilton deal is a hardly hot transfer. I mean the modernization plan has been suspended so many times and yet this is what we get after more than 15 yrs?

I just don't trust any of this delays again as like every delays before. It already proved nothing, and had only turned our eyes all white for waiting forever.

With China's increased aggressiveness and depth of LIES, 3 years is too long.... :ohno:

Agreed. Only if china never have threatened the spratly claimants like this way, then i would have just be patient again to wait another 3 years of forum lurking again before we read and see another bullcrap just like what happened recently.

But this is different. What we need is an immidiate hot transfer, government to government procurement deals that will take less than 3 yrs or even just months if it's possible. All we need probably are some another 6 months to 1 yr training onboard modern warships, and how to operate other advance weapon system, and the acquisition of foreign military surplus fighter planes, warships, ammunitions, and modern radars.

I just don't trust any of this delays again as like every delays before. It already proved nothing, and had only turned our eyes all white for waiting forever.

Agreed. Only if china never have threatened the spratly claimants like this way, then i would have just be patient again to wait another 3 years of forum lurking again before we read and see another bullcrap just like what happened recently.

But this is different. What we need is an immidiate hot transfer, government to government procurement deals that will take less than 3 yrs or even just months if it's possible. All we need probably are some another 6 months to 1 yr training onboard modern warships, and how to operate other advance weapon system, and the acquisition of foreign military surplus fighter planes, warships, ammunitions, and modern radars.

Either those or get ready to give it up. I watched the video link you gave me about the state of the military and its quite pathetic. Nothing was produced for the past 15 years of the modernization program. Time to probe and arrest these criminals and place them as a human canon against foreign invaders. :lol:

^^ They should be in the front lines in case of Chinese military invasion :lol:

^^Oh that video sickened me. It was frustrating and heartbreaking. Imagine, how long we've been on this internet and been lurking so many years just to wait what's goin on in our future for our military...? That is plainly a waste of energy and time consuming, instead of us now being more proud of our country.]

Tapos balita pa kahapon dito yung mga nasunog na shanties sa manila ba yun or makati, shet grabe, nakakahiya gusto kong takpan mukha ko kahapon while waiting for my doctor inside a clinic (TV inside clinic), buti nalang din puro bumbay mga kasama ko nun hahahaha :lol: !!!

Grabe kung alam ko lang mag koreano o mag intsik eh!!! Kaya for sure nalaman nila akong pinoy as soon na nakausap ko na yung medical secretariat doon, wala akong maitagong accent!!!! Mukha pa naman akong koreano o intsik sayang.... :lol:

^^Imagine, 85% of the budget goes to the salaries. I don't think the boots, compate uniforms, gears are included on that 85%. It should be the reverse. 15%salaries 85% equipment. Only if the government wouuld stop listening to complaints of the leftists... and increase the budget 10 fold!

^^Imagine, 85% of the budget goes to the salaries. I don't think the boots, compate uniforms, gears are included on that 85%. It should be the reverse. 15%salaries 85% equipment. Only if the government wouuld stop listening to complaints of the leftists... and increase the budget 10 fold!

Parang ngang baliktad yung priority ng AFP. They invest more in manpower than modern equipments. Marami ngang sundalo pero wala namang enough na kagamitan, so mamatay lang sila sa gyera tapos ano ang kapalit nila, di ba life insurance? So ganun din, ang pera nila nauubos sa kakabayad ng mga life insurance at kung ano ano pang benefits.

I say they should do the other way, about 60% salary including benefits, reduce the manpower (they kept hiring kasi) and the rest are for equipments. That would probably will equal to solid spartans. :cheers:

I dunno, but maybe scrap the Mutual Defense Treaty? Looks like Washington only interprets it as in case of attacin the Pacific area (Eastern Philippine coastline?)...and I strongly believe we have no threat from the Pacific area. Not even Australia or New Zealand would be interested in invading the Philippines :lol: The "threat" that would only arise in that area are typhoons and tsunamis... :rofl:

America's commitment to defend Philippine forces in the South China Sea is more problematic. Previously, the US had tiptoed around the geographic definitions in the 1951 mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, which included the provision that

"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. ... [A]n armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an 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."[5]

The term, Pacific Area, was left ambiguous in the defense treaty. Washington had interpreted the treaty as applying to the territory of the Philippines at the time the treaty was signed, which would exclude Scarborough Reef and all of the Spratly Islands.[6] The Philippines did not lodge its claim to most of the Spratly Islands until a 1978 Presidential Decree. Manila's claim to Scarborough Reef was not generally known before 1997. During US Defense Secretary Cohen's July 1998 visit to Manila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Saizon sought clarification and reportedly was told that the South China Sea was included.[7] It is not clear that the US has changed its interpretation of the 1951 treaty, but a joint Philippine-US live-fire exercise near Scarborough Reef during August 1998 adds to the confusion.[8]

http://www.boundaries.com/US-Asia.htm

If we can't get ASEAN together, we only have ourselves. Maybe we could have Vietnam since it looks like they are at least sympathizing with us but that's pretty much it

^^ Speaking of the MDT..

Has anyone been reading The Washington Times lately? here's what a major US think tank has to say with regards to our MDT and the possible introduction of Strategic Ambiguity so that America's treaty obligations to the Philippines might apply if China makes a move on Spratlys. :cheers:

LOHMAN: Shaping U.S.’s future in the Indo-Pacific
By Walter Lohman-The Washington Times
4:18 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2011
ANALYSIS/OPINION:

If the Obama administration’s Asia policy seems familiar, it is with good reason. In several respects, it closely mirrors that of the George W. Bush administration.

It has held firm on the presence of the U.S. Marines in Japan. It has stood forcefully by our South Korean allies as they twice faced down North Korean aggression. It dusted off the U.S.-Korea free-trade agreement with only cosmetic political changes. It picked the low-hanging fruit of consistent engagement in Southeast Asia that the Bush administration initiated but could not seem to manage.

President Bill Clinton may have opened the door to a broader, more productive relationship with India, but it was President Bush who drove the U.S.-India nuclear deal through it. The delinking of America’s India and Pakistan policies once envisioned by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is now a reality, as President Obama essentially acknowledged in his well-received visit to India.

And when administration officials speak of getting America’s alliances right, they use words eerily similar to those used by the Bush White House.

But the Bush administration was not all good. And like the Bush administration, the Obama administration has been unable to settle on an approach to the greatest challenge to American leadership in the Indo-Pacific region: the rise of China. That lack of clarity only emboldens the Chinese - and weakens the resolve of our friends and allies.

China is a deliberate competitor for regional influence with interests diametrically opposed to America’s. This is not to say that open lines of communication and economic cooperation with Beijing’s leaders are not important. But at some point, we must be willing to walk away. We have many other things that take precedence and upon which American predominance in the Indo-Pacific absolutely depends.

1) Our military presence and freedom of the seas. The administration must understand the direct correlation between a robust defense budget - particularly shipbuilding - and our profile in Asia. The region is looking at trend lines as much as current capabilities. As for freedom of the seas, it is a core American interest going back as far as our British political heritage; it is non-negotiable.

2) Our treaty allies. There are five in the Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand. We will not allow any of them to be bullied. We should work to build up the weakest (the Philippines) and give it the wherewithal to stand its ground.

In the meantime, we should introduce some strategic ambiguity into how the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applies. It’s hard to imagine the U.S. standing still were the Chinese to move on Philippines-occupied and -administered islands in the South China Sea. But even beyond that, the administration should make it clear that it regards Chinese harassment of Philippine vessels elsewhere within the disputed territory as hostile.

Story Continues →

3) Taiwan. There is nothing inherently wrong with America’s 30-year-plus policy toward it. That policy is a convenient framework that allows us to maintain relationships with both sides of the Strait. The problem is in the overly tight and China-deferential application of the policy.

The Taiwan Relations Act and the assurances that President Ronald Reagan made to Taiwan in 1982 are fully part of our foreign policy. As such, they demand more than lip service. Taiwan has slipped so far behind China in the military balance that the U.S. is plainly in breach of its legal obligation to see that Taiwan can defend itself.

Mr. Obama made good on the second half of a big arms-sales package negotiated by the Bush administration. He should make the sale on the new fighter aircraft and upgrades the Taiwanese are now begging for.

4) India. The American and Indian foreign policy elites have discovered one another - long after our respective peoples have. We share many strategic interests with India, but our affinity actually stems from common values. Matters that concern India - from Chinese provision of nuclear technology to Pakistan in violation of its international non-proliferation commitments and dangerous diplomatic games on the China-Indian border - are also big problems for us.

5) Liberty. Americans care deeply about it - not just our own, but the liberty of others. We must call those individuals in China we are concerned about by name - publicly, at every opportunity - without worrying about the diplomatic consequences.

The Obama administration is at a critical turning point. The president is mid-way through this term. He has done some good things in the Indo-Pacific. But it’s time to lay down much clearer markers in the U.S.-China relationship. The president’s team - from the ambassador to China, to the Defense Department, to the State Department, to the National Security Council - is undergoing a massive reshuffle.

Mr. Obama has a once-in-an-administration opportunity to give shape to America’s future in the Indo-Pacific.

c Walter Lohman is director of the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation (www.heritage.org).

Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/20/lohman-shaping-uss-future-in-the-indo-pacific/?page=2&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=RSS_Feed

http://www.militarists.ru/wp-content/uploads/avianosec_varyag4.jpg
PLAN navy carrier Shi Lang ( ex Soviet Varyag )

Basically the Phillippines has 20 years to significantly enhance its defence capabilities, the first Chinese carrier won't be much of a threat as it will mainly be used for training, eventually however they might start to get some experience on using these things even if so far Chinese weapons manufacturing capability and quality is shabby or inferior .

We need to focus on developing our marines paratroop capability and special forces, our navy and air forces this would mean shrinking the size of the army which we don't really need as an archipelago .

The focus must be on amphibious and or expeditionary and network centric warfare, once China has developed a more robust surface fleet it will become imperative for us to procure small diesel submarines from Europe as our neighbours have done, which will then be amongst our most potent arms in dissuading Chinese action in the asean sea ..., obviously other means such as strike or long ranged attack aircraft and missile capability with the range to directly threaten major Chinese cities from Hong Kong to Shanghai will also be important .

We simply need to become more beligerent in coordination with and support of the Americans with regards the Spratleys, we must covertly secure and expect Japanese, Indian and S.Korean along with American/UK etc diplomatic support to secure the other Spratley islands not under our sovereignty, once we secure these islands it would be a fait accompli with China still too weak and cautious to risk facing America and its allies in a full blown and wider conflict .

It would be important however to placate and have the Vietnamese onboard as a longterm strategic partner, in return we should grant them some portions of the Spratleys and fully support their own claims against China on the Paracel islands, the rest of asean will be nice to have onboard if not then they would not matter .

Vietnam and the US are key the rest are bonuses to have on our side the northern asean/south china sea must explicitly become an exclusive Phillippine/Vietnamese condominium, no other powers except those useful and friendly towards such a policy must be allowed to excert much influence there while guaranteeing free passage and security of the sealanes for peaceful traffic to all .

These ideas might be extreme but depending on how the Chinese act such thinking must be envisioned as a last resort .

^^ Speaking of the MDT..

Has anyone been reading The Washington Times lately? here's what a major US think tank has to say with regards to our MDT and the possible introduction of Strategic Ambiguity so that America's treaty obligations to the Philippines might apply if China makes a move on Spratlys. :cheers:

Interesting opinion. That will be beneficial to the Philippines. However, I think Washington sticks to the 1951 baseline. We shouldn't tell our government this because they might be lenient and too comfy that Uncle Sam might come at our disposal. LOL

It is interesting that they have a treaty with Thailand and Australia. I understand Japan and Korea but I couldn't think much for Thailand and especially Australia.

It's a shame though, that they know we are the weakest :lol:

http://www.militarists.ru/wp-content/uploads/avianosec_varyag4.jpg
PLAN navy carrier Shi Lang ( ex Soviet Varyag )


The focus must be on amphibious and or expeditionary and network centric warfare, once China has developed a more robust surface fleet it will become imperative for us to procure small diesel submarines from Europe as our neighbours have done, which will then be amongst our most potent arms in dissuading Chinese action in the asean sea ..., obviously other means such as strike or long ranged attack aircraft and missile capability with the range to directly threaten major Chinese cities from Hong Kong to Shanghai will also be important .


It's all about having balls pero right now parang fishballs lang meron ... .

Unfortunately for China, its more prosperous region is the eastern coast and southern coast. It could be easy for an ASEAN, Japan, SKorea to point missiles and nuclear towards their more important regions :lol:


---


I think the Senate should ratify the proposal of Australians for a VFA. At this pace of Chinese aggression, we indeed need more allies -- be it developing or developed countries. We should have more VFA with TRUSTED countries (meaning: no VFA for China and the likes :lol:) coz it could be beneficial to our alliances should a conflict arise. It is likely that the conflict will happen in between the Pacific and South China sea. It would be easier for allies to coordinate and complement with each other

the platform for the Chinese AWAC is a Russian Il-76 cargo plane while the radar technology came from Israel

Thank you for the answer. :okay:

Im sure magproprotesta nanaman ang Akbayan, Bayan Muna, mga studyante sa UP etc... kapag meron nanamang VFA. Pero siguro malamang kapag China or even Malaysia ang mag VFA sa Pilipinas ay baka sila pa gumawa ng permanent base nila dito.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/spratly.htm
they think they own Southeast ASIA..:lol::lol:

^^ Not surprising. It is a matter of time before they claim that the whole world is their territory :rofl:

Question:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ta0Mh59HOzo/TRlS6qH-o1I/AAAAAAAAAA0/Y_MnN-UTdKU/s640/F-5.jpg

How much does it cost to maintain a squadron of F5 Fighters (five of them) ? Particularly our decommissioned ones?

Is it cheaper than the 5 million alleged monthly allowance that the late Gen. Reyes was receiving?

If this is true... It is really disturbing... :ohno:

Is it best for the Philippine Airforce to recommission our F5 Fighter jets now?

Sayang ehh... Nakatiwangwang lang sa hangar..

http://www.hueybravo.net/images/Airfoirce/F5hanger032403d.jpg

^^ it's way more than that amount.. the PAF retired the F-5 due to the scarcity of spare parts and the inherent cost that it involves.. baka maubos lang lahat ng units dahil sa cannibalizations of parts.. 1960's-era pa kasi mga yan, way beyond their effective service life na

USC hamilton Decommissioning Ceremonies
koJxgv42yII
tP1O1PZu_w0&feature=related

another videos
sCukUcbnm4A&feature=related

i noticed some of the paf's aircraft fleet are from the 60's and 70's..were they acquired during marcos'es time..or later?brand new or 2nd hand refurbished?

i noticed some of the paf's aircraft fleet are from the 60's and 70's..were they acquired during marcos'es time..or later?brand new or 2nd hand refurbished?

most if not all hardwares we had were BNEW :lol:

most if not all hardwares we had were BNEW :lol:

grave. so ngaun wala nga pambili ng spare parts..brand new military aircraft pa kaya? simot..i wonder how the past admin acquired bnew 2 c130's and 2 uh-60 blackhawks..the Deal went so well. :colgate:

Tsk Tsk pinagtyagaan nalang 40 years old naval vessel.. E mas bata pa mga peacock class at cyclone..Sana pag dating dito i upgrade yang ex hamilton na yan. I apply sana yung grant satin ng US na precision missles for arnament upgrade nyan together yung main gun nya na otobreda at secondary arms na CIWS. Nakakahinayang naman kung downgraded ilalagay nyan.. Bofors 40, Human operated AA's

i noticed some of the paf's aircraft fleet are from the 60's and 70's..were they acquired during marcos'es time..or later?brand new or 2nd hand refurbished?

most of the present aircraft in the inventory, either active or retired, were acquired under Marcos or negotiated during his time and bought by the succeeding admins.. after Marcos, the AFP slowed down on hardware acquisitions, esp. aircraft and naval assets

although the best jet fighters that we had, the F-8 Crusaders were acquired under Cory Aquino's time

CHR ‘practically clears’ AFP of torturing Melissa Roxas – Bayan
04/24/2011 | 05:42 PM


Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Sunday bewailed the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) resolution on the case of the alleged abduction and torture of Filipina-American activist Melissa Roxas, saying it “practically clears" the military of any wrongdoing.

“We are very disappointed with the report. This seems to be a departure from the investigation initiated by the former CHR chair. The resolution says that there is insufficient evidence to lay responsibility for Melissa’s abduction and torture on the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). This is despite Melissa’s credible and detailed testimony," said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

“The resolution is an embarrassment for the CHR. It’s also a great injustice after Melissa fully cooperated with the probe of the Commission. This tends to discourage victims seeking the CHR’s help," he added.

Roxas, a member of Bayan’s United States chapter, was allegedly abducted in La Paz, Tarlac on May 19, 2009 along with John Edward Jandoc and Juanito Carabeo. She was held for several days and allegedly subjected to various forms of torture on allegations that she’s a member of the New People’s Army.

Insufficient evidence against AFP

In its Feb. 14 findings, the CHR said there is insufficient evidence to support the claim of torture because there was not enough evidence to determine the identities of the abductors. The CHR says torture must have been committed by “elements of state party and agents" – referring to government authorities.

“In the light of the lack of evidence against the persons who inflicted the physical and psychological maltreatment on the complainant, it is not possible for the Commission to reach any findings on torture, the definition of which includes elements of State party or agent and certain intentions, purposes and motivations," the CHR resolution said.

“There is, however enough evidence to find that complainant has suffered cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment by persons unknown," the CHR added.

The CHR report said there is “insufficient evidence" to support the conclusion “that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines forcibly took Melissa Roxas and companions from Mr. Paulo’s house in Tarlac on May 19, held her in captivity and subjected her to physical and mental maltreatment," and “insufficient evidence to pinpoint individual members of the AFP as the possible or probable perpetrators."

Communist rebels involved?

The CHR did not discount the possibility that NPA rebels were really the ones who kidnapped and tortured Roxas and her companions.

“The CHR has received information that indicates the possibility that members of the NPA committed the kidnapping and other human rights violations on Roxas et al. These sources have been found to be credible. However, no specific names of individuals have been provided to the CHR, thus the Commission, with its limited resources, is unable to further follow up and identify specific persons as the possible perpetrators," the report said.

The report also said that “given the findings that present strong indication of involvement of the members of the New People’s Army as the perpetrators of the human rights violations against the complainant, there is a need to remind the parties of …the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law" which was signed by the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Bayan decried as “gratuitous, illogical and unsubstantiated" the CHR’s statement that sources pointing the NPA’s involvement were “credible." The group questioned the basis of how the CHR came to the conclusion that the “findings present strong indication of the involvement of the NPA."

‘Worn out and discredited line’

“The CHR practically clears the AFP and misleads the public to believe the NPA abducted Melissa, without even presenting a shred of evidence and with total disregard for the detailed testimony of the victim. Nowhere in the report does it offer any detail, let alone motive, for the NPA to abduct Melissa," Reyes said.

Bayan said that the line of questioning by Melissa’s captors during her detention and torture make it “illogical" to pin the blame on the NPA. The umbrella group said that the line of questioning, as detailed in Roxas affidavit, was consistent with how the military interrogates activists suspected of being NPA members.

“During detention, according to her testimony, Melissa was forced to sign a document saying she’s NPA and was repeatedly asked to return to the fold of the law. She was asked how she got involved in Bayan USA and was lectured on anti-communism and religion. She was told she was in the ‘order of battle.’ She was only released when she played along with her captors’ demand that she will reform. Is this the work of the NPA? It simply defies logic. What is the motive of the NPA for abducting her? Why does the CHR give this theory any credibility?" Reyes asked.

In her affidavit, Roxas testified that she got a glimpse of men wearing fatigue uniform, heard gunfire as if in a firing range, and heard the sound of aircraft as if near an airport or landing strip. She also said she was confined in a facility that appeared to be a barracks that had iron bars.

“Isn’t it the AFP who has the motive for abducting Melissa, because of her leftist involvement? Why was Melissa’s detailed account of her interrogation simply disregarded? Why not pursue the investigation as to the involvement of the AFP instead of clearing them," Reyes said.

Bayan said that the AFP alibi that human rights violations against leftists were the handiwork of the NPA has already been discredited years ago.

“The line that the NPA did the human rights violations against leftist activists has long been discredited. It was rejected by the Melo Commission and by the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston. It is a surprise then that the CHR again resurrects this worn out and discredited line. It’s an injustice to Melissa and other victims of torture who are unable to identify their torturers hidden in the shadows," Reyes said.

“The CHR makes a big deal about so-called non-state actors involved in Melissa’s abduction yet offers not a shred of evidence. After practically clearing the AFP, the CHR then says it cannot determine the identities of the abductors because it has neither manpower nor resources," he added. – MRT/KBK, GMA News

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/218594/nation/chr-practically-clears-afp-of-torturing-melissa-roxas-bayan

Good to hear that the CHR is not a puppet of the left.

Besides, it's not the military that wears tha fatigue-style clothing. Uso kaya yan! Ako nga eh may fatigue pants at shirt! NPA pa kaya?

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/218594/nation/chr-practically-clears-afp-of-torturing-melissa-roxas-bayan

Good to hear that the CHR is not a puppet of the left.

Besides, it's not the military that wears tha fatigue-style clothing. Uso kaya yan! Ako nga eh may fatigue pants at shirt! NPA pa kaya?

Totoo naman na baka mga komunista ang gumawa para siraan ang AFP.Iyan na ang tactic nila eh buking na yan.Ang mga kaliwa talaga hinahatak ang bansa natin pababa.Magkaisa na sana ang Pinas.

^^Pwede pa yang mga F5, they are ready to fly if needed talaga.

Anyway, sayang kung meron lang ditong video game thread kaso wala, so dito ko nalang ishare ito:
2x-kZma5n94

Awesome realistic graphics!

^^ looks like thats for PC. graphics are far too awesome to be on console.

^^ looks like thats for PC. graphics are far too awesome to be on console.

Yep it is from PC gameplay. The console versions might be still at works, and i hope they could do it as close as this.

I think the F-8 was also acquired during the time of Pres. Marcos, it was 1978, IIRC. It was supposed to be an interim fighter and as such was supposed to be in service for 10 years only and should have been phased out in 1988. part of the delivery for the F-8 was spare units as source of spare parts. The AF then was impressed with the F-8, I spoke with a retired AF General and he said that the F-8 can travel all the way to zamboanga form Pampanga without the need for refueling stops. Also, they said the F-8 took on the day intercept of Soviet spy planes flying the west coast of Luzon from Cam Rhan Bay Vietnam during the Cold War.

Incidentally the PAF was the only air force that operated the F-8, other operators were the US Navy and the Navy of France.

most of the present aircraft in the inventory, either active or retired, were acquired under Marcos or negotiated during his time and bought by the succeeding admins.. after Marcos, the AFP slowed down on hardware acquisitions, esp. aircraft and naval assets

although the best jet fighters that we had, the F-8 Crusaders were acquired under Cory Aquino's time

Correction, those aircrafts were also acquired during the Marcos administration.

The 1st Aquino administration were only able to acquire the light jet trainers, S211.

Kaya galit na galit sa kanya ang mga progressive minded junior officers, led by Honasan.

Have you guys seen this before? Nope, this is the former USCG CHASE - WHEC 718 which is heading to Nigeria, being decommissioned and repainted with grey combat scheme.

This is would probably how the PN Hamilton class cutter may look like as well:

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff429/nyrivera718/118-1.jpg
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff429/nyrivera718/111-1.jpg
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/415197802/m/4470059962001/p/3


:cheers:

Have you guys seen this before? Nope, this is the former USCG CHASE - WHEC 718 which is heading to Nigeria, being decommissioned and repainted with grey combat scheme.

This is would probably how the PN Hamilton class cutter may look like as well:

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff429/nyrivera718/118-1.jpg
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff429/nyrivera718/111-1.jpg
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/415197802/m/4470059962001/p/3


:cheers:

as you can see there's no CIWS on the Nigerian Hamilton cutter either just like ours.:)

Maybe they can't (also) afford or are ill-trained with that kind of equipment (Training with maintenance of course).

as you can see there's no CIWS on the Nigerian Hamilton cutter either just like ours.:)

Maybe they can't (also) afford or are ill-trained with that kind of equipment (Training with maintenance of course).

Actually the PN was able to keep the CIWS as stated at one of the PhilStar news article/report. I think if im not mistaken, i posted it here, few pages back.

But yes it seems like the nigerians are not keeping those close-in weapon system.
:cheers:

Here it is about the PN keeping the CIWS after all:

Yehey! It seems like they're keeping atleast the CIWS anti-aircraft, anti-missile weapon system:


Philippines to boost naval firepower

Manila: The Philippines is expected to boost its sea presence and firepower with an escort vessel in July.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesman Brig Gen Jose Mabanta confirmed earlier reports that the Philippine Navy was expected to receive a Hamilton Class vessel to patrol the country's western water frontier, notably the South China Sea.

At 115 metres in length, the Hamilton Class vessel, will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest and most modern combat vessels in the Philippine fleet. In comparison, the current Navy flagship, the BRP Rajah Humabon which was commissioned in 1980, is 93 metres long.

The yet to be commissioned ship will be equipped with a cannon as well as close in anti-aircraft weapons and will have a helicopter flight deck.

Blue water sailing

According to a Navy officer contacted by Gulf News, the Hamilton Class ship is capable of sailing in blue water in comparison to other vessels currently in the Philippine fleet which are limited to coastal operations due to their relatively smaller size.

The ocean-going capability of the ship will be of great value if the country needs to repatriate large numbers of Filipinos from other countries.

The Navy officer said the ship, which was bought from the United States, would be in service by July.

According to Mabanta, the area in the South China Sea — specifically the Spratlys group of Islands in the country's western portion — was of special interest to the Philippines because of recent incursions made by Chinese vessels.

In early March, the Philippine military was forced to send observation aircraft over the Spratlys airspace amid reports a vessel commissioned by the Department of Energy was being harassed by Chinese Navy patrol boats.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines...epower-1.793075

It's actually the ASW will be the one removed. However there is another weapon in there, the mortar system, im not sure if they are keeping it.

impressive yung Hamilton in grey color..sana man lang mga 4 ships ang na acquire natin ang ganda nun sa PN fleet review..hehehe

ASEAN-China relations mutually beneficial, win-win partners: Surin
(philstar.com) Updated April 26, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)

JAKARTA (Xinhua) - Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, has said "the year 2011 will be a very fruitful one for ASEAN-China dialogue relations", a statement released by the ASEAN Secretariat said here on Monday.

Secretary-General Surin made the remarks before Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Jakarta this week.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations. Under the theme "ASEAN-China: Mutually Beneficial and Win-Win Partners," ASEAN and China will be implementing a series of activities to promote good-neighbourly relations, deepen cooperation and consolidate people-to-people friendship.

The message was well received by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. The two met during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2011 in Hainan, China, earlier this month. Yang underscored that practical cooperation between ASEAN and China has entered a new phase.



http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=679695&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Fruitful, win-win for ASEAN?

Well, yeah...

March harassment, then this April we were called invaders by the Chinese...

Indeed, fruitful and win-win......
if only the Middle Kingdom tones down its aggressiveness and quit its historical revisionism

ASEAN: China ass kissers!

I hope the secretary general is merely trying to be polite to the Chinese and not his sentiment.

Taipei ramps up combat training of its coast guard in South China Sea amid PH-China tensions
20-Apr-11, 9:00 AM | Agence France-Presse


TAIPEI - Taiwan's foreign ministry on Tuesday warned the Philippines against actions that could escalate tensions in the South China Sea, as Taipei said it will ramp up the combat training of its own coast guard in the disputed waters.



"We urge the Philippines not to take any unilateral move that will spark controversy in the South China Sea," Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Taiwanese coast guards posted in the area will receive training akin to that of members of Taiwan's elite Marine Corps, said Wang Chung-yi, deputy chief of the Coast Guard Administration.

"We need strength to defend our sovereignty," he told AFP.

He did not provide details about the training, but the Liberty Times newspaper said it would include skills in areas such as coastal defence against amphibious attack.

The Philippine military last week said it planned to use a new US-made vessel to boost patrols in the disputed waters, after a complaint about Chinese patrol boats harassing a Philippine oil exploration vessel in the area.

The Philippines also announced plans to pursue oil exploration in the area and to upgrade its military airfield on one of the islands, while lodging a formal protest at the United Nations over China's claims.

Taiwan's coast guard currently has a base on Taiping, the biggest island in the disputed Spratlys archipelago.

The island, which has a runway to smooth logistical support, is reported to have a garrison of about 130 coast guards.

The move comes as China becomes increasingly assertive in the potentially resource-rich South China Sea, following several years of relative quiet.

Taiwan on Monday reiterated its claims to the Spratlys, along with three other island groups in the South China Sea, amid a flare-up in tensions between the Philippines and China over rival claims.

Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines claim all or part of the Spratlys, which could lie on top of large oil reserves.


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/world/04/19/11/taiwan-boost-combat-training-disputed-waters

Isa pa itong sinungaling. Unilateral? Eh yung motherland nga nilang China eh UNILATERAL na dinieclare na kanila ang South China Sea.

^^ Is that a translated text of the statement from Taiwan? It must be, as noone understood them here and we will proceed unilaterally with more oil explorations, so chinamen if you'll excuse us. :lol: :banana: :cheers:

Philippines to ramp up oil exploration
Agence France-Presse
Posted at 04/25/2011 11:39 PM | Updated as of 04/25/2011 11:39 PM


MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines said Monday it would ramp up oil and gas exploration to diversify its energy sources, with up to 15 contracts to be auctioned off by July.

Manila expects to coax hundreds of millions of dollars from prospective investors in the projects, Energy Minister Jose Rene Almendras said, adding that the government will contribute to security at the exploration areas.

"We have a situation where the Philippines has not found oil but we have found gas. We have a situation wherein more than ever, in the history of exploration in the Philippines, there is so much interest," he said.

He told reporters the ministry would take bids for 15 service contracts in July, without giving details.

In March the Philippines complained to China over the alleged harassment by Chinese gunboats of a Philippine oil survey vessel in disputed seawaters near the Spratly islands in the South China Sea.

Almendras said the survey for that project had been completed but it would take two years to process the seismic data gathered. "The potential is there," he added.

"Just two weeks ago, one of the exploration companies came to me and was complaining -- they were running out of equipment and men with exploration experience because projects are going on all at the same time," Almendras said.

"We need security because there's going to be hundreds of millions of dollars, and even billions of dollars, of new equipment in new exploration areas."

Almendras said part of royalties owed the government from the Malampaya offshore natural gas field run by a unit of Royal Dutch Shell Group would be used to buy security equipment for the new projects.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/04/25/11/philippines-ramp-oil-exploration

^^ If these new malampayas materialize, our military can expect more modern equipments in the near future.

http://western.azerbaijaniforum.com/t19-topic
Deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia (Western Azerbaijan) – component part of genocidal policy against our people

ang ganda naman ni Hamilton-in-grey...:banana::okay:

^^ Is that a translated text of the statement from Taiwan? It must be, as noone understood it here and we will proceed unilaterally with more oil explorations, so chinamen if you'll excuse us. :lol: :banana: :cheers:



^^ If these new malampayas materialize, our military can expect more modern equipments in the near future.

I got it from ABS CBN...

And interesting article. Having a portion on the Malampalaya go to our defense system is a good idea. I guess investors in Malampalaya wanted a more secure border. Win-win if you ask me. Since our government is so barat in giving budget to our military, it is not bad turning to private corporations :lol:

At saka paki natin sa training nila? Wala naman silang combat experience :lol:

At saka ang kupal nila ha. Siyempre territoryo natin ang Malampalaya, bakit natin kekelanganin ang consent nila?

But then again, kung Batanes nga big deal sa kanila, ano pa kaya ang oil-filled areas natin

^^ Yup, as long as we don't give up our 10% share in the Malampaya Service Contract, and the PNOC-EC that is in charge of natural gas exploration does not get sold and privatized like its geothermal counterpart PNOC-EDC, then yea the government should continue to raise money out of it for our defense system. :)

Sa aking palagay, dapat pakinggan ni President Noynoy si prof. Misuari sa sinasabi niya.

Kailangang makuha natin ang Sabah. Atin yun. At dapat bigyan ng leksyon ang bantay-salakay nating kaibigan na kaaway pala--ang MALAYSIA.


Negotiate with MNLF, not MILF, President asked



http://web1.manilatimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ARMM.jpg


BY JAIME PILAPIL CORRESPONDENT
Manila Times
April 26, 2011

FORMER Gov. Nur Misuari of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) urged President Benigno Aquino 3rd to stop negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in connection with Manila’s bid to establish a new federal government for the Muslim population in southern Mindanao.

The MILF has no more personality because most of its leaders have defected to his group, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Misuari recently told reporters and editors of The Manila Times during an exclusive roundtable.

In fact, he said, the MILF does not exist anymore and what is left is a ragtag group that the group calls Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters led by Umbra Kato and Commander Bravo, the very persons who led attacks on villages of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces in August 2008 over an aborted signing of a peace agreement with the Arroyo administration.

“The MILF is already disintegrated. A great portion of their military has rejoined us. Thousands and thousands of them defected to us.

Practically all of them are now with us. I don’t know how many remained with the group of Kato and Bravo,” said the former ARMM governor, who taught political science at the University of Philippines for eight years.

The MILF broke away from the MNLF in 1980 and was formally organized in March 1984 under the leadership of Hashim Salamat, who died in 2003.

They disagreed on goals of establishing an independent Mindanao, with the MNLF refusing to take on a more aggressive approach and the MILF carrying on with a more religious orientation.

Although active in armed struggle, the MILF, however, has been attempting to forge lasting peace in southern Philippines.

On August 5, 2008, Manila, under the administration of then President Gloria Arroyo, and the MILF, through the chairmen of their peace panels, were scheduled to sign in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) under the Tripoli Agreement of 2001.

The signing did not materialize after the Philippine Supreme Court ruled against it, saying that it was unconstitutional.

Kato and Bravo then led the attacks on civilian villages in Central Mindanao.

Misuari accused the Malaysian government of supporting the MILF’s protracted war to keep the Muslim population busy fighting government forces instead of claiming the vast Sabah territory, which supposedly belongs to the Philippines.

He said that reporters who interviewed him recently confided to him that they saw powerful weapons in the hands of the followers of Kato and Bravo.

“They told me they saw with their two eyes high-powered weapons in Kato and Bravo’s camps. But despite this, many of their commanders defected to the MNLF, like Hadji Murad, Sammy Gambad and their respective brigades. A younger brother of Commander Gordon rejoined us,” Misuari added.

“If the government is pragmatic, realistic, it should desist from being used by the Malaysian government to sabotage peace in Mindanao,” he said.

According to him, he suspects that Malaysia is prodding the MILF to wage war continuously because of the problem of Sabah. “They want to cling to that land (Sabah). War is the only way to keep us busy
fighting each other.”

He said he called the attention of Kuala Lumpur authorities and told them, “Don’t ever suspect us of marching forces (across Sabah).”

“They said, ‘Why is Nur Misuari increasing his forces? They want to attack Sabah.’ No. We are Muslims, it is forbidden by God to attack other Muslims.”

Challenge to Malaysia

Misuari challenged the Malaysian government to bring to the International Court of Justice their insistence that they own of Sabah.

He said that Sabah’s annual income is pegged at around $108 billion mostly from its natural oil and mines and minerals.

“You are not giving us part of $108 billion of your yearly earnings from Sabah natural resources. Well, get a portion of that money and look for the best lawyers in the world. Prove before the International Court of Justice your claim to Sabah.”

Misuari said that the government is being blinded by an illusion that Manila can defeat the Muslims of Mindanao through war..

He said over 35 years of rebellion have passed and the armed conflict is still going on, killing thousands from both sides, including hundreds of civilians.

“Why persist on creating war in Mindanao? We were never defeated. Over half a million people were killed. The government should stop this war. Don’t wage war just so you can have reasons to promote generals and inject more fund in your army,” Misuari added.

The MILF’s claim to establishing an Islamic homeland in Mindanao is anchored on a peace agreement forged by MNLF with Manila in 1996.

In the agreement, the MNLF and the government have agreed on 33 issues, leaving only three major issues unresolved—autonomy; sharing of revenues between central government and regional government in strategic minerals and transition mechanism.

The same issues, ironically, are still the bone of contention in the government’s peace talks, not with the MNLF, but with the MILF.

^^ I agree. Malaysia is really a bad choice for talks. It should be a neutral country. Indonesia is a better choice because we do not have territorial disputes with them in which they may use against us

Finally, someone who takes our AFP seriously...when was the last time? I think that was Ramos' time...bad timing nga lang dahil sa Asian crisis...

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=679622&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Now, expect Bayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela to protest against this :lol:


P-Noy to issue EO allocating P8 B for AFP from Malampaya funds
By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated April 26, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (14)

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is set to issue an executive order allocating P8 billion from the Malampaya funds for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to beef up security of energy-related projects, particularly new exploration by various firms off Palawan.

The national government gets a share from taxes, royalties, and charges from the Malampaya natural gas project in Palawan, which Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said had been used for “many things” in the past that were not related to energy and security.

“We have a situation wherein more than ever in the history of exploration in the Philippines, there is so much interest at this time,” Almendras said yesterday during a press briefing in Malacañang.

He said the President saw it better to allocate the Malampaya funds for energy-and security-related matters “although the establishment of the fund does not categorically state that it can only be used” for these purposes only.

The President had announced that he allotted P11 billion for the AFP for its capability buildup, especially in defending territories.

Out of the 11 billion, P3 billion will come from the modernization funds for the AFP while P8 billion will be sourced from Malampaya shares.

“Just two weeks ago, one of the exploration companies came to me and said secretary, do you realize that we are running out of equipment and people? We’ve run out of people with exploration experience because (projects) are coming altogether at once. This is one of the achievements of the Aquino administration,” Almendras said.

“We need to ensure the security of all these new exploration areas. So thereby we did recommend and said we need to augment the security in all of these service contracts that have been previously awarded and the 15 more service contracts that we are going to bid out again,” the energy chief said.



Almendras said there was so much international interest in the 15 new service contracts that the Department of Energy (DOE) would bid out, some of which were contracts previously given but were cancelled.

“And we are now going to offer it for appropriate bidding... because there is going to be hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars of new equipment in new exploration areas, we have to provide security,” he said.

Almendras said the Department of National Defense (DND) prepared a security plan for these projects.

“We need X numbers of radar stations, we need boats, we need choppers and so on and so forth and that was determined by the DND. That is true that we are looking at using, Malampaya funds for that. The President wants DOE to play a role on that. That’s what we have right now. As to the actual issuance of the EO, we will wait for that,” he said, explaining that the release of Malampaya funds had to be documented through the process of issuing an EO.

“This development will help expedite the modernization of the armed forces. This means that the present administration is serious in upgrading the facilities of the armed forces,” Armed Forces deputy chief for operations Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. told The STAR.

Mabanta said the executive order would also ensure that the country’s resources would benefit the Filipinos.

“This is certainly a good move. This means that the government is supportive of efforts to ensure that our vast resources are secured,” he said.

Armed Forces spokesman Commodore Miguel Rodriguez said they are optimistic that the order would enhance the capacity of the military.

“The security needs of the projects will be addressed and at the same time, it would lead to capacity-building. These resources are needed to make the projects productive,” he said in a phone interview.

Fuel subsidy for farmers, fisherfolk

Almendras also emphasized that the government will be coming out with another EO once it finally approves the fuel subsidy it plans to extend to farmers and fisherfolk, like the one it will be issuing to jeepney and tricycle drivers.

“The fuel subsidy program for farmers and fishermen definitely needs another EO because they have not been included in the government’s Pantawid Pasada program,” he said.

He clarified, however, that the task of accrediting them is not within his scope but under the jurisdiction of Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which is still in the process of verifying how many farmers and fishermen are there.

Alcala disclosed early this month that farmers and fisherfolk – just like public utility drivers – have been included in the fuel subsidy program, following persistent requests for a similar government subsidy.

He said his office is already in the process of making a list of pump boats and fishing vessels, as well as tractors that farmers are using in the countryside, for them to be able to benefit from the government subsidy, in light of the spiraling cost of oil prices.

“We will submit the list of those who consume petroleum products, even the small pump boats in the provinces and in the regions. We are collating all these, the fishing vessels and tractors that are being used in patubig (irrigation),” Alcala said. – With Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla

Others that will also be included are vegetable suppliers.

Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, who made the proposal, hailed President Aquino’s decision.

“It shows that P-Noy is sensitive to the plights and concerns of the less privileged sectors of our society,” he said. “We welcome the decision to include marginal farmers and fishermen in the fuel subsidy program of the government. It’s a relief to them that at least their voice was heard by P-Noy.”

Aquino said he is open to giving subsidy to farmers and fishermen to also help them cushion the impact of oil price increases that resulted in the skyrocketing of prices of basic commodities.

“The only problem lies with the list, since the government does not have a concrete database of how many farmers and fishermen we have. Unlike in the public transport sector, where records can be found at the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board,” the President said.

The same is true with farmers, where it is uncertain how many are running farm implements. - Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla

^^ if i were the President, ill do everything i can just to have Sabah back... how i wish nagpatuloy yung balak ni Marcos na bawiin yung Sabah kasi sayang eh... It is our Land and yet mga bobong Malaysian yung nakikinabang... if you go to Malaysia dun mo makikita yung pagka Bobo at tamad ng mga Malaysian tsaka yung bad hygiene nila, the only people that saves their economy are the Chinese, although same as here but at least ma-utak at hard working mga Pinoy... sometimes Filipinos are acting dumb just to get what they want like money...

^^ baka mabasa ni patchay yan :lol:

^^Dapat atleast hatiin talaga ang Sabah, to north and south Sabah. North will be the philippine side.

Malaysia has no even other evidence to prove that they own part or whole of Sabah. Philippines is just being nice to share it with them. So no more mister nice guy this time!

share ko lang

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2019189041968

sa afghanistan ba ito? ang alam ko kasi ganyang ang kulay ng combat uniform ng mga nakadeploy sa afghanistan

^^Dapat atleast hatiin talaga ang Sabah, to north and south Sabah. North will be the philippine side.

Malaysia has no even other evidence to prove that they own part or whole of Sabah. Philippines is just being nice to share it with them. So no more mister nice guy this time!

di ba nung Marcos time may binuo syang unit ng militar para sana sa planong pagbawi ng Pilipinas sa Sabah?:)

di ba nung Marcos time may binuo syang unit ng militar para sana sa planong pagbawi ng Pilipinas sa Sabah?:)

Yung nagresulta sa Jabidah massacre? ;(

Yung nagresulta sa Jabidah massacre? ;(

yun ba? no idea pare...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabidah_massacre
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080318-125522/Lone-survivor-recalls-Jabidah-Massacre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabidah_massacre
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080318-125522/Lone-survivor-recalls-Jabidah-Massacre

grabe pala, thanks for the link @ Nabartek.

I wonder, should Malaysia succeed in getting the UN to step in and apply the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention treaty in the whole South China Sea of which all countries including PHL are signatories, do you think they'll recognize the reservation clause we inserted upon signing it specifically:

1. The signing of the Convention by the GRP shall not in any manner impair or prejudice the sovereign right of the Philippines under and arising from the Constitution of the Philippines.

&

4. Such signing shall not in any manner impair or prejudice the sovereignty of RP over any territory over which it exercises sovereign authority, such as the Kalayaan Islands, and the waters appertunant thereto.

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:iaZWGEMReUQJ:verafiles.org/docs/rp-ratification.pdf+shall+not+in+any+manner+impair+or+prejudice+the+sovereign+right+of+the+Philippines+under+and+arising+from+the+Constitution+of+the+Philippines.&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgkMqz7gNECZ_McXAcjxI9do418lkC7cTdqN68Z5P6kDnuDDHTf1rNZaR7DNNQHP4Zhv89DbrRJem7Pxnkg-HrsPT_IDMK8G4kcahweYZjA3702xt060hosxkcZXLDoKqsUr4QU&sig=AHIEtbTxeECJNuXxOm4LY84KsmQOzkbE6Q

Malaysia wants Law of the Sea in Spratly tussle
UPDATED @ 12:23:08 AM 26-04-2011April 25, 2011



KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said Malaysia is seeking to apply the Law of the Sea treaty in the ongoing Spratly Islands territorial dispute.

According to the convention, a nation’s rights to coastal waters are limited to approximately 12 nautical miles from its coastline and waters beyond this distance are considered free to all nations but belonging to none.

Today, the deputy prime minister said Malaysia wanted the United Nations convention to be applied to avoid an escalation of the dispute and possible harm to ties among the various claimants.

“China is of the view that the matter should be settled bilaterally. [B]ut we have Asean, so discussions among Asean members are also important,” Muhyiddin said at an event here today.

Muhyiddin’s statement precedes a scheduled state visit by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao this week — from April 27 until April 28.

Wen is expected to call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, during which the two leaders will discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues affecting national interests.

The Spratly Islands is a collection of 750 land masses north of Sabah’s coast and being contested by the Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The islands are of little value of themselves but ownership would allow a country to extend its international water boundaries in the oil- and gas-rich region.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-wants-law-of-the-sea-in-spratly-tussle/

^^ if i were the President, ill do everything i can just to have Sabah back... how i wish nagpatuloy yung balak ni Marcos na bawiin yung Sabah kasi sayang eh... It is our Land and yet mga bobong Malaysian yung nakikinabang... if you go to Malaysia dun mo makikita yung pagka Bobo at tamad ng mga Malaysian tsaka yung bad hygiene nila, the only people that saves their economy are the Chinese, although same as here but at least ma-utak at hard working mga Pinoy... sometimes Filipinos are acting dumb just to get what they want like money...

IMO, We should forget about our Sabah claim, and instead channel all our energies to making sure we don't lose Kalayaan. It's not even us claiming them, but the old Sultanate of Sulu and Bangsamoro and if by fluke we do end up recovering Sabah from Malaysia, it will just be added up to their Ancestral Domain giving them more reason to secede and form their state. Plus, it was the US who managed to conquer the whole of Sulu after the Sulu Massacre and US-Moro Wars segment of the Philippine-American war, but the fact that they did not negotiate this territory in their treaty with Great Britain (Jan. 2, 1930) who was the one renting Sabah then, i don't think we can ever really recover it anymore. We managed to get Turtle Islands and Mangsee island tho from UK in that treaty.

So, I'd rather we settle this with Malaysia now. We give up our claim to Sabah but in exchange, we get Malaysia to withdraw any of their claims in Kalayaan.

Finally, someone who takes our AFP seriously...when was the last time? I think that was Ramos' time...bad timing nga lang dahil sa Asian crisis...

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=679622&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Now, expect Bayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela to protest against this :lol:

Yup, it really helps that we have a guy president who's into guns and shooting ranges :D, and i think our strained relations with China after the execution of OFWs and the HK hostage fiasco also helped in determining a new policy and the importance of the military. :cheers:

And again, now that the government sees the benefits of keeping government stakes in these energy projects like Malampaya, with profits and dividends going towards AFP modernization and security of the Spratlys, PLEASE NO TO PNOC-EC PRIVATIZATION!!

The Philippines should settle the Sabah issue with Malaysia once and for all.

Gumamit lamang ng diplomatikong pamamaraan.

Importante po kung hindi man matagumpay (depende rin) na makuha ng Pilipinas ag Sabah ay lumaban ang bansa para sa karapatan nya sa lupain iyon.

Humingi ng tulong sa Sultanate ng Sulu (descendants) at MNLF sa pangunguna ni Prof. Nur Misuari.

Sa ngayon mas importante ang kalayaan island but wag na wag bibitiwan ng Pilipinas ang Sabh and wag na makipag deal ang Pilipinas sa China and Malaysia. Bantay salakay talaga ang malaysia sa Mindanaoand sa Thailand and Singapore.

Sa palagay ko ay tamang desisyon ito dahil mas bata ata yung mga susunod na bibilhin na Hamilon class na patrol ships kung magkakaayos.Isa pa ay refurbished na ito nuong 1989 kaya maganda pa rin ang kondisyon.

1.2 billion pesos pala yung Hamilton. mahal din. Pero sulit dahil sa refurbished na rin. Napakamahal ng bagong warship...


AFP eyeing 2 more second-hand US ships


abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 04/26/2011 5:38 PM


MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is negotiating anew with the United States for the acquisition of 2 more patrol ships.

AFP spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said the talks for the acquisition of 2 Hamilton-class ships are on the “exploratory stage.”

Rodriguez said these Coast Guard cutters are due to be decommissioned by the US. They were first introduced in 1975 but underwent refurbishing in 1989.

"There is an opportunity because the United Sates will decommission these ships and then they are being offered to other countries. We will compete with other countries to buy (these ships)," the official said.

The country already purchased one, worth P1.2 billion, due for delivery in August. A team of Navy officers are currently in the United States where they are conducting training on how to operate the ship.

The acquisition was funded through the modernization program of the Philippine Navy.

"If we get one class of ship and then there is an opportunity to get another as against a totally different ship, the tendency will be to get a sister ship," said Rodriguez.

He said the Hamilton-class ship that is due to arrive will be deployed to Palawan and then to the Spratly Islands.

“It is to protect our interest in the natural resources operations that we have, more (specifically) in Malampaya…It is near Spratlys but basically, the objective is to protect our Malampaya (natural gas project)," he said.

Don't forget the Air Force.

Sa palagay ko ay tamang desisyon ito dahil mas bata ata yung mga susunod na bibilhin na Hamilon class na patrol ships kung magkakaayos.Isa pa ay refurbished na ito nuong 1989 kaya maganda pa rin ang kondisyon.

1.2 billion pesos pala yung Hamilton. mahal din. Pero sulit dahil sa refurbished na rin. Napakamahal ng bagong warship...


1.2 Billion for a frigate-sized ship with LOTS of upgrade potential...

It's cheap IMHO.

^^ an aggressive stance on Sabah will not help ASEAN's integration. I suggest we focus our efforts on Spratlys' and Palawan's security

We might face worse rebellions if we try to take Sabah.... I don't think the Sabahans like us (many perceive Pinoys as illegals)

US govt to train PHL forces in energy exploration security
04/26/2011 | 06:38 PM


Filipino naval forces assigned to secure oil and gas exploration activities are set to undergo training from the US government, according to the Energy Department.

The Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of National Defense (DND) will be buying military equipment from the US within a three-year period in exchange for the training services.

The P8 billion from the government's Malampaya royalties will be used to fund exploration projects in far areas within Philippine waters, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said Tuesday.

Around P150 million from the budget will be used for the training program.

The national government earns more than $100 million in monthly royalties from the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project in Northwest Palawan. Noting the corruption scandals now plaguing the Armed Forced of the Philippines, Almendras said that the DOE would head the acquisition and release of the budget.

"To further stimulate exploration, we need to provide security. That's why this amount has to be disbursed purposely for energy resource security. The amount will be spent to buy three blue water ships from US, helicopters, six to seven radar systems all across Mindanao and Palawan," Almendras said.

According to the Energy chief, added security would also help promote investments in the country's upstream oil business. “When oil rigs are in place, one that costs at least $100 million, you cannot afford a security risk. You cannot afford a small pump boat extorting money from you," he added.

He said that the security scheme would cover all exploration areas in Palawan, including the disputed Spratly's Island. President Benigno Aquino III had also instructed the Coast Guard to secure oil explorations in the Kalayaan island group.

The idea of sending additional security for energy explorations was first raised by the DOE and the DND in 2008. Initial plans included hiring a security group such as US-based Blackwater. Blackwater provides basic training facilities to support local and regional law enforcers. — BC/VS, GMA News

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/218763/business/us-govt-to-train-phl-forces-in-energy-exploration-security

I don't mean to be a jerk here but, srsly, armed intervention on Sabah? That's gotta be a joke, It'll just act as a catalyst for another rebellion, besides it really depends on the inhabitant of the land to choose who's nation they will call, either Malaysia or PH, that's why we're called democracy.

IMHO, as long as the Philippines is Republic type of government they can't gain back Sabah, we should be Federalist so that we could "admit" new stats in, cuz the only idea coming into my mind to gain back Sabah is thru lobbying their citizens to be more vocal about them being Filipinos, and that could only be achieve if PH would be > Malaysia. It's like a race on who be 1st world first.

Other than that I don't think it would be possible, please denote too that Malaysia has MDT with the Brits and we have MDT with the US, for as long as we can't face a stand of against the brits, that includes Canada and Australia or we can't disobey uncle Sam and his minions like the did I mention brits? oh well and frenchies, we can't use Military intervention to it.
Come to think of it, if we are commies like vaChina then it's another story,
LOL! the last line's a joke though.

^^maybe after all, we should join the Middle Kingdom

I am just KIDDING...seriously kidding :rofl:

^^maybe after all, we should join the Middle Kingdom

I am just KIDDING...seriously kidding :rofl:

"my precious...to hell with the ORCS!" :lol::nuts:

Sa palagay ko ay tamang desisyon ito dahil mas bata ata yung mga susunod na bibilhin na Hamilon class na patrol ships kung magkakaayos.Isa pa ay refurbished na ito nuong 1989 kaya maganda pa rin ang kondisyon.

1.2 billion pesos pala yung Hamilton. mahal din. Pero sulit dahil sa refurbished na rin. Napakamahal ng bagong warship...

It looks like these ships will be the USCGC Jarvis (WHEC 725) and USCGC Rush (WHEC 723)...

^^maybe after all, we should join the Middle Kingdom

I am just KIDDING...seriously kidding :rofl:

Lol. it's an odd joke, I know.

^^Heads up!

More Hamilton class cutters are coming! :cheers:

This is a pretty good deal for $27.7M, specially if they indeed included the CIWS.

Now all they need to do is to freaking arm it more with other advance weaponries!
-------------------------------------------------

AFP eyeing 2 more second-hand US ships
MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is negotiating anew with the United States for the acquisition of 2 more patrol ships.

AFP spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said the talks for the acquisition of 2 Hamilton-class ships are on the “exploratory stage.”

Rodriguez said these Coast Guard cutters are due to be decommissioned by the US. They were first introduced in 1975 but underwent refurbishing in 1989.

"There is an opportunity because the United Sates will decommission these ships and then they are being offered to other countries. We will compete with other countries to buy (these ships)," the official said.

The country already purchased one, worth P1.2 billion, due for delivery in August. A team of Navy officers are currently in the United States where they are conducting training on how to operate the ship.

The acquisition was funded through the modernization program of the Philippine Navy.

"If we get one class of ship and then there is an opportunity to get another as against a totally different ship, the tendency will be to get a sister ship," said Rodriguez.

He said the Hamilton-class ship that is due to arrive will be deployed to Palawan and then to the Spratly Islands.

“It is to protect our interest in the natural resources operations that we have, more (specifically) in Malampaya…It is near Spratlys but basically, the objective is to protect our Malampaya (natural gas project)," he said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/26/11/afp-eyeing-2-more-second-hand-us-ships

We might face worse rebellions if we try to take Sabah.... I don't think the Sabahans like us (many perceive Pinoys as illegals)


^^ that's why we have to improve our Military strength, with the Military power we have now, i don't think we can even conquer Sabah though we can have it on diplomatic ways,... our Military is just enough for Land defense... and they perceive Filipinos as illegals there coz that's what their Government ordered them, im kinda feeling sad about it coz we are being illegals in our Homeland,... now, hope all Filipinos should do something to have it back, i think if Malaysia loses Sabah... their economy will somehow collapse thinking that Sabah is rich in resources... :cheers:

^^ But military strength does not always equal to success. Remember Vietnam?

^^Heads up!

More Hamilton class cutters are coming! :cheers:

This is a pretty good deal for $27.7M, specially if they indeed included the CIWS.

Now all they need to do is to freaking arm it more with other advance weaponries!
-------------------------------------------------

AFP eyeing 2 more second-hand US ships


^^ Ayus!!! Sana tuloy2 na to :okay: hope mabili natin yung 2 Hamilton na yan with the complete armaments and installing even more armaments like Mistral missiles and other missile systems that are necessary to scare those Mainland Chinese people out,... :horse:

Hello MARC!

Heads up, another private amphibious project by a pinoy student!

rkY5Q8iZiDc

:cheers:

^^ that's why we have to improve our Military strength, with the Military power we have now, i don't think we can even conquer Sabah though we can have it on diplomatic ways,... our Military is just enough for Land defense... and they perceive Filipinos as illegals there coz that's what their Government ordered them, im kinda feeling sad about it coz we are being illegals in our Homeland,... now, hope all Filipinos should do something to have it back, i think if Malaysia loses Sabah... their economy will somehow collapse thinking that Sabah is rich in resources... :cheers:

my take on Sabah: get Malaysia to agree to a land claim swap. thats the best we can do. :D
we can use the Sabah dispute as a bargaining chip in the Spratlys dispute with the end goal of getting Malaysia to transfer their Spralty claims to us in return for us abandoning our claim to Sabah :lol::lol:

at least that way, we're left with only 2 enemies to deal with. :D

^^ But military strength does not always equal to success. Remember Vietnam?

^^ Military strength will help,... Vietnam is more on Defensive Tactics against the Strong allied troops that's why they used the Guerilla Tactics which is more on ambushes... Vietnam has tanks and their Military number is Big that's why they were even able to invade its neighboring countries after the VN war like Cambodia and etc... of coarse if we want to get Sabah we have to be offensive... we even lack ships that would transport our soldiers to Malaysia... our soldiers lack armored vehicles... we don't have fighter and bomber planes... we lack anti air and artillery's... Malaysian navy is much better than the Philippine navy... Strategy is the main key to victory,... but on that theater, i think we will have a hard time fighting them... though our Military is not weak and rate their combat skills perfect... its just that we need to improve their capabilities through buying stronger and strategic weapons... our Military is not just capable of invasion yet were only good in land defense... :)

my take on Sabah: get Malaysia to agree to a land claim swap. thats the best we can do. :D
we can use the Sabah dispute as a bargaining chip in the Spratlys dispute with the end goal of getting Malaysia to transfer their Spralty claims to us in return for us abandoning our claim to Sabah :lol::lol:

at least that way, we're left with only 2 enemies to deal with. :D

The philippines will rather wipe them off the face of this earth in 15 years! :lol:

Just kidding.........

I actually rather have the sabah state, more place for filipinos to live and work, and it's rich in natural resources and minerals. :cheers:

^^ But military strength does not always equal to success. Remember Vietnam?


They pretty much humiliated the americans, which they sent them home crying with their butts down, tails down. :lol:

my take on Sabah: get Malaysia to agree to a land claim swap. thats the best we can do. :D
we can use the Sabah dispute as a bargaining chip in the Spratlys dispute with the end goal of getting Malaysia to transfer their Spralty claims to us in return for us abandoning our claim to Sabah :lol::lol:

at least that way, we're left with only 2 enemies to deal with. :D

^^ haha :lol: for me, dapat natin panindigan na atin yung mga Lupa na yun... kahit diplomatic lang at least may effort tayo...

They pretty much humiliated the americans, which they sent them home crying with their butts down, tails down. :lol:

^^ haha yah,... coz the Viet-congs strategy was actually awesome :okay: oh, poor Uncle Sam,... :lol:

^^ Military strength will help,... Vietnam is more on Defensive Tactics against the Strong allied troops that's why they used the Guerilla Tactics which is more on ambushes... Vietnam has tanks and their Military number is Big that's why they were even able to invade its neighboring countries after the VN war like Cambodia and etc... of coarse if we want to get Sabah we have to be offensive... we even lack ships that would transport our soldiers to Malaysia... our soldiers lack armored vehicles... we don't have fighter and bomber planes... we lack anti air and artillery's... Malaysian navy is much better than the Philippine navy... Strategy is the main key to victory,... but on that theater, i think we will have a hard time fighting them... though our Military is not weak and rate their combat skills perfect... its just that we need to improve their capabilities through buying stronger and strategic weapons... our Military is not just capable of invasion yet were only good in land defense... :)

The US withdrew because of politics. It was not NV nor the VC that really drove them out. We have to consider more than just military... I say we shouldn't be military aggressive/offensive at all. Though I agree with upgrading the military for defense. Same goes with Iraq and Afghanistan. They are withdrawing not because the war is over and they've "won" , it is because of politics. The US won pretty much most of the battles, but the American media caught on the horrors of war, it didn't help too that that period was known as the rebel and hippie period of the US.

A military invasion of Sabah could alienate us to the world and we'd be punished by different countries for invading Sabah. Although the Philippines dispute Sabah as part of Malaysia, the thing is the world recognizes Sabah as de jure and de facto part of Malaysia.

I'm not saying we do not have valid claims on Sabah, but a military intervention will harm as more than do good. We will suffer the humiliation that the US had in the Vietnam War. Just like the VC had the homebase advantage, the Sabahans will, too

The US withdrew because of politics. It was not NV nor the VC that really drove them out. We have to consider more than just military... I say we shouldn't be military aggressive/offensive at all. Though I agree with upgrading the military for defense. Same goes with Iraq and Afghanistan. They are withdrawing not because the war is over and they've "won" , it is because of politics. The US won pretty much most of the battles, but the American media caught on the horrors of war, it didn't help too that that period was known as the rebel and hippie period of the US.

A military invasion of Sabah could alienate us to the world and we'd be punished by different countries for invading Sabah. Although the Philippines dispute Sabah as part of Malaysia, the thing is the world recognizes Sabah as de jure and de facto part of Malaysia.

I'm not saying we do not have valid claims on Sabah, but a military intervention will harm as more than do good. We will suffer the humiliation that the US had in the Vietnam War. Just like the VC had the homebase advantage, the Sabahans will, too

^^ i somehow agree with you :okay: but, as long as we stay with uncle Sam nothing more to worry about :lol: just kidding but just look at Thailand, they used to start the offensive against Cambodia in their Border war but Thailand never had a sanction... i mean as long as we stay neutral and do good to other countries anyway, we have a very good evidence that Sabah should be ours unlike China's stupid claim on our Spratley's... Israel is Uncle Sams best friend in the east, no matter how they slaughter the Palestinians in the Gaza,west Bank and other Arab countries... they never had a sanction,... though the Lebanon war was actually a defensive attack by Israel... :)

AFP eyeing 2 more second-hand US ships
abs-cbnNEWS.com (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/26/11/afp-eyeing-2-more-second-hand-us-ships)
Posted at 04/26/2011 5:38 PM | Updated as of 04/26/2011 5:38 PM


MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is negotiating anew with the United States for the acquisition of 2 more patrol ships.

AFP spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said the talks for the acquisition of 2 Hamilton-class ships are on the “exploratory stage.”

Rodriguez said these Coast Guard cutters are due to be decommissioned by the US. They were first introduced in 1975 but underwent refurbishing in 1989.

"There is an opportunity because the United Sates will decommission these ships and then they are being offered to other countries. We will compete with other countries to buy (these ships)," the official said.

The country already purchased one, worth P1.2 billion, due for delivery in August. A team of Navy officers are currently in the United States where they are conducting training on how to operate the ship.

The acquisition was funded through the modernization program of the Philippine Navy.

"If we get one class of ship and then there is an opportunity to get another as against a totally different ship, the tendency will be to get a sister ship," said Rodriguez.

He said the Hamilton-class ship that is due to arrive will be deployed to Palawan and then to the Spratly Islands.

“It is to protect our interest in the natural resources operations that we have, more (specifically) in Malampaya…It is near Spratlys but basically, the objective is to protect our Malampaya (natural gas project)," he said.

^^ We have strong historical claims on Sabah (yes, unlike the bogus Chinese claims where they can't even show an ancient map) and how we've been "duped" by the Brits during their 2 year occupation...

Maybe if Thailand invaded, maybe the world will react..or maybe not since Cambodia does not have a good record :lol:

^^ so we just have to be good at Uncle Sam and other countries just to get our interest :) anyway, its not an evil plan, were just taking back what is ours,... we all have to fight for the country...

Aren't we gonna be good to China too? I think we need their credit


Just Kidding!

US Senate urged to ratify UN Law of the Sea Convention
By Jose Katigbak STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star) Updated April 27, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

WASHINGTON – At a time when China is flexing its muscles over ownership of disputed territories in the South China Sea, Democrats and Republicans should come together and end decades of dispute over US accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, said American policy advisers in an article.

UNCLOS has been in place for nearly 30 years but there are those in the Senate who vehemently oppose ratification due to concerns the treaty would limit commerce and allow international bodies to wield greater control over US interests.

Thad W. Allen, Richard L. Armitage, and John J. Hamre in an article quoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying ratification makes sense militarily because the convention “codifies navigation and overflight rights and high seas freedoms that are essential for the global mobility of our armed forces.”

In other words, it enhances national security by giving the US Navy additional flexibility to operate on the high seas and in foreign exclusive economic zones and territorial seas.

“This is particularly important in the Asia Pacific region and the South China Sea, where tensions among China, Japan and Southeast Asian nations have increased because of conflicting interpretations of what constitutes territorial and international waters,” they wrote.

The article appeared as an op-ed in the New York Times on Sunday and was published on Monday by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a conservative-oriented foreign policy think tank headquartered in Washington.

It said last July, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gained much respect by reassuring the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that the United States strongly supported multilateral efforts to address those territorial disputes in the South China Sea and denounced China’s heavy-handed, unilateral tactics.

“But strong American positions like that are ultimately undermined by our failure to ratify the convention,” said the article.

Allen, a senior fellow at Rand, was the commandant of the Coast Guard from 2006 to 2010. Armitage, the president of a consulting firm, was the deputy secretary of state from 2001 to 2005 and Hamre, president of the CSIS, was the deputy secretary of defense from 1997 to 2000.

Meanwhile, Malaysia said it wants the claims on the disputed Spratly Islands chain in the South China Sea to be settled through application of UNCLOS.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin told reporters in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia he did not want the issue to harm its relations with other claimants – China, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam.

“China is of the view that the matter should be settled bilaterally. We think that is important, but we have ASEAN so discussions among ASEAN members are also important,” he said.

Referring to the territorial disputes, Walther Lohman of the Conservative Heritage Foundation in an article on Thursday said the US has long held that the Phl-US Mutual Defense Treaty does not extend to Philippine claims in the South China Sea.

There may have been a time when that position was prudent, he said, because what interest after all could the US have had getting involved in a spat among relatively weak claimants.

But that time has past, he said. China’s rapid military modernization has chased it away.

“There is now one claimant stronger than the others, growing stronger by the day and feeling it. We need to introduce some uncertainty into Chinese calculations,” he said.


http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=679904&publicationSubCategoryId=63

good news, the PN is now starting talks to acquire two more Hamilton class cutter/frigate..that will be a bigger boost to our naval capability, next stop is to acquire the adequate helicopter to operate on the Hamilton.

The US withdrew because of politics. It was not NV nor the VC that really drove them out. We have to consider more than just military... I say we shouldn't be military aggressive/offensive at all. Though I agree with upgrading the military for defense. Same goes with Iraq and Afghanistan. They are withdrawing not because the war is over and they've "won" , it is because of politics. The US won pretty much most of the battles, but the American media caught on the horrors of war, it didn't help too that that period was known as the rebel and hippie period of the US.

A military invasion of Sabah could alienate us to the world and we'd be punished by different countries for invading Sabah. Although the Philippines dispute Sabah as part of Malaysia, the thing is the world recognizes Sabah as de jure and de facto part of Malaysia.

I'm not saying we do not have valid claims on Sabah, but a military intervention will harm as more than do good. We will suffer the humiliation that the US had in the Vietnam War. Just like the VC had the homebase advantage, the Sabahans will, too

For defensive purposes and to sustain any possible encounter, yes the PN need to be a very capable force to carry out any counter-attack. But not only the PN, obviously atleast the Philippine Airforce has to have those modern MRFs.

----------------------------------------------------
BTW, i think it's about time to reorganize the AFP military branches and reassign the troop numbers according to the philippine geographical layout.

IMHO, the PN should have a ground troop forces of 50,000 Marines, the PA should then reduce their numbers to 40,000 Rangers, and then the Airforce should have a 10,000 Paratroopers.

A 100,000 fulltime AFP ground troops should be enough. Of this 100,000 regular troops, 10,000 of them should be specially trained as Special Forces. It's like 200 per a thousand troops, and of this 10,000 SF, and 300 of them should be converted into JCTTF (Joint-Counter Terrorrist Task Force) that would specialize in anti-terrorrism unit that can also be deployed all-around the world:

PHILIPPINE NAVY

MARINES = 45,000
SPECIAL FORCES = 5,000 NAVSOG (Force Recon, Navy Frogmen, Navy SEALs)


PHILIPPINE ARMY

RANGERS = 36,000
SPECIAL FORCES = 4,000 SCOUT RANGERS (Light Reaction Company)

PHILIPPINE AIRFORCE

PARATROOPERS = 9,000
SPECIAL FORCES = 1,000 (Airborne Regiment, Quick Reaction Force)


:cheers:

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=679904&publicationSubCategoryId=63

So should the US change their policy regarding this Phil-US Mutual Defense Treaty? If they cannot, then a SEATO alliance should be reactivated, all against the asian super power just in case. Kasi china lang naman ang nangbubully talaga eh.

^^Anyway, the US doesn't have to be involved, but they can help the AFP by arming them with advance military assets should an armed encounter happen between the philippines and china in disputed islands along spratlys.

So should the US change their policy regarding this Phil-US Mutual Defense Treaty? If they cannot, then a SEATO alliance should be reactivated, all against the asian super power just in case. Kasi china lang naman ang nangbubully talaga eh.

I dunno honestly. I think Marcos tried to extend the MDT to the Spratlys but the US declined

I would love to add Japan and SK to the SEATO but I don't think they are able to because they have no business in the Spratly's except for it being their trade route to Europe and Middle East

I dunno honestly. I think Marcos tried to extend the MDT to the Spratlys but the US declined

I would love to add Japan and SK to the SEATO but I don't think they are able to because they have no business in the Spratly's except for it being their trade route to Europe and Middle East

Both countries have to join though, and that is the exact reason why they have to because it's a very important trade route for them. If most of it fell to chinese hands then both countries can be choked, or be prepared for them to pay up the government of china everytime they pass through it.


^^There were like 2 battalions of PMC were sent to Palawan late last year, i don't know if it has also something to do with the AFP strategy regarding their force expansion to protect their interest in spratly.

Anyway, just reposting some photos of PMC, from various links, mga pulot lang:

http://www.murdoconline.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/philippine-marine-with-m14-332x500.jpg

By Warlord: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?116194-Funeral-for-14-Philippine-Marines
http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-07150534150884.jpg
http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-07140641200299.jpg
http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-07140643370880.jpg

By sabaya597:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?160328-Philippine-Armed-Forces(Southeast-Asia)
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-13.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-15.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-14.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-16.jpg

The flight of Huey choppers:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2041/16872815264249812459010.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2952/agospnpinwallace3.jpg
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7941/instrumentsready.jpg
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5656/18367615722336671381274.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7363/santa10.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4199/santa7.jpg

And ofcourse by our very own ManilaBoy who happened to be roaming MilForum:
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/ACV300.jpg

not sure if these photos have been posted here before.

BRP Rajah Humabon
http://adroth.ph/AFP/pn/pf11/pf-11_lg1.jpg
http://adroth.ph/AFP/pn/pf11/pf-11_lg2.jpg
photos by ManilaBoy40

I'm not sure but the way I understand it, Noynoy's order of allocation of Malampalaya funds to the AFP could have been from Jinngoy? I'm no fan of the Estrada's but I don't think this is bad....as long as it really goes to upgrade!

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=647029

Jinggoy proposes Malampaya share transfer to AFP
By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) Updated January 11, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada proposed yesterday that the proceeds from the national government’s share from taxes, royalties, and charges from the Malampaya natural gas project in Palawan be allocated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Trust Fund instead of pushing for the privatization of military and police camps to raise funds.

Estrada said he earlier filed Senate Bill 693 that pertains to the excise taxes collected under Section 151 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, other applicable mining taxes, royalties and other such taxes, fees or charges, including interests and fines authorized by existing laws, issuances or regulations.

“Several years after its (AFP Modernization Trust Fund) establishment, however, it has yet to be fully implemented, the hindrance to which has been lack of resources,” Estrada said.

Estrada told The STAR yesterday that he will not block proposals to privatize Camp Aguinaldo of the AFP and Camp Crame of the Philippine National Police in Quezon City, but he expressed concern where the facilities and the concerned personnel will be relocated.

He will discuss with other senators the possibility of putting his proposal into the list of priority measures for this year under the Aquino administration.

Estrada said that the transfer of the military and police would be costly to the government.

“To avoid any legal implications, why not pass my bill (SB 693),” he said.

Estrada said he has been supportive of the efforts to modernize the military and the police force but the lack of funds hindered the modernization programs of the two agencies involved in the maintenance of the country’s national security and on peace and order.

He has been scrutinizing the budget for the AFP’s modernization program during budget hearings but nothing significant has been made.

“The modernization fund is so little compared to the AFP-DND’s budget,” Estrada said.

Under his proposal, Estrada noted that the establishment of the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund, a separate and distinct item from the regular annual appropriations of the Department of National Defense and the AFP itself, the necessary allocation for the program’s component such as the upgrading of weapons, for example, could not be supported by the trust fund alone.

“Thus, the other sources would have to be tapped to augment the limited sources of the Trust Fund,” said Estrada, noting that the full modernization of the AFP has not been fully realized since the passage of the AFP modernization program through Republic Act 7898 in 1995.

His proposal also seeks to allocate collections made by the Bureau of Internal Revenue from capital gains tax and value-added tax on the sale of real properties to the AFP modernization act trust fund. “Needless to say, the proceeds from such taxes will go a long way on realizing the thrust of the AFP modernization program in terms of weapon systems, technology, and bases development,” Estrada said.

Estrada had expressed concern over questions on the proceeds of the sale of Fort Bonifacio’s land in Taguig more than a decade ago, especially the P5.489 billion that represented the 35 percent share of the AFP for its supposed modernization program.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that unlike the Fort Bonifacio property, the AFP and PNP camps in Quezon City are covered by deeds of donation. The Philippine government had owned the Fort Bonifacio property, Enrile said.

USCGC HAMILTON (WHEC 715)

378-foot cutter in the alaskan water
http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchamilton/Decal%20Letter%20012.jpg

USCGC HAMILTON (WHEC 715)

378-foot cutter in the alaskan water
http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/cgchamilton/Decal%20Letter%20012.jpg

Dapat ganito ang gawin ng PN dyan eh, lagay sa harap yung SS, SAM nila tapos takpan yang malalaking butas sa side railings at lagyan nalang ng armor:

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/227388_10150177566131537_645611536_7121159_7639680_n.jpg
:lol:

good news, the PN is now starting talks to acquire two more Hamilton class cutter/frigate..that will be a bigger boost to our naval capability, next stop is to acquire the adequate helicopter to operate on the Hamilton.

Sana nga matuloy ito.:banana::banana::banana:

Dapat ganito ang gawin ng PN dyan eh, lagay sa harap yung SS, SAM nila tapos takpan yang malalaking butas sa side railings at lagyan nalang ng armor:

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/227388_10150177566131537_645611536_7121159_7639680_n.jpg
:lol:

I like the idea. Hamilton in Gray or Darker paint would look awesome:)

the Hamilton will, definitely, look better in gray. ;)

as for the additional weapons and equipment, if we can afford them, put four anti-ship missiles (Harpoon, MM40 Exocet, RBS-15, Otomat) behind the OTO Melara 76 mm gun and replace the Phalanx CIWS with a 21-cell RAM launcher. pwede din na four anti-ship missiles plus an eight-cell vertical launcher for air defense missiles (Barak, ESSM, Mica) ang ilagay sa likod ng OTO Melara 76 mm whether retained yung Phalanx or not.

the Hamilton will, definitely, look better in gray. ;)

as for the additional weapons and equipment, if we can afford them, put four anti-ship missiles (Harpoon, MM40 Exocet, RBS-15, Otomat) behind the OTO Melara 76 mm gun and replace the Phalanx CIWS with a 21-cell RAM launcher. pwede din na four anti-ship missiles plus an eight-cell vertical launcher for air defense missiles (Barak, ESSM, Mica) ang ilagay sa likod ng OTO Melara 76 mm whether retained yung Phalanx or not.

well again..it's clear we're not getting the Phalanx CIWS, but we should be happy the government is planning to add two more Hamiltons..we would be glad to have those weapons wishlist, but we should keep in mind our great PN navy personnels are not trained for that yet, maybe in the near future that will be, but for now.. well.....:)

Get 2or 3 more Hamilton and installed it with modern and sophisticated armaments/hardwares (SAM,SSM,CIWS,ASM,ASW etc..). It's enough already to deter any aggression in the Spratlys.

well again..it's clear we're not getting the Phalanx CIWS, but we should be happy the government is planning to add two more Hamiltons..we would be glad to have those weapons wishlist, but we should keep in mind our great PN navy personnels are not trained for that yet, maybe in the near future that will be, but for now.. well.....:)

oo naman. slowly but surely, we'll get there. fortunately for us, we got a 40 year-old ship that is not only upgraded extensively during their stint in the USCG but can be upgraded further by us through the addition of SSMs, SAMs and anti-electronic warfare suites and anti-submarine torpedoes when we want to. :)

siguro ngayon na wala pa tayong budget for additional weapons, simulan muna natin yung move towards acquiring anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting capabilities by acquiring multi-role naval helicopters that will come with the Hamiltons. ;)

^^Anyway, the US doesn't have to be involved, but they can help the AFP by arming them with advance military assets should an armed encounter happen between the philippines and china in disputed islands along spratlys.

^^ yah, just like what the United Nations did to the Libyan Rebels,... but i think it will be better if the United States military will personally come and fight with us in times of invasion... :)

^^ Sabay iiwanan tayo sa ere kapag may political pressure back home. LOL

I don't mean to mock the US but I'm speaking from their political history :lol:

Too bad, they don't seem to have the political honor to stick with its "allies"

But then again, who am I to blame...ganun din gawa natin nung nagpull out tayo sa Afghanistan

NPA now called ‘CNN,’ not ‘communist terrorists’: AFP (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/28/11/npa-now-called-%E2%80%98cnn%E2%80%99-not-%E2%80%98communist-terrorists%E2%80%99-afp)

abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 03/28/2011 10:02 PM | Updated as of 03/28/2011 10:02 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it has refrained calling the New People's Army (NPA) as a "communist terrorist" organization in deference to the ongoing efforts to revive peace talks with the communist-led National Democratic Front.

"At this time, the most important thing is for the peace talks to move forward, move on. This is part of our confidence-building," AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta told a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.

Mabanta said they would just refer to the communists as “CNN,” the acronym Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

"CNN is a very new acronym… We've started not to use communist terrorists because we would certainly like that these talks move forward and attain what has been set for (by the national leadership) as its objectives," said Mabanta.

Government officials and NDF representatives are set to meet in Oslo, Norway on Friday in preparation for the resumption of the formal talks from February 19 to February 25.

The formal talks bogged down in 2004 after US included the CPP and the NPA in its list of foreign terrorist organizations.

"Late last year, we decided not to use terrorist (to describe the NPA)," said Mabanta.

When asked if the AFP would go as far as exerting weight to delist the CPP and the NPA from the US and European Union’s lists of foreign terrorist organizations, Mabanta said this would depend on how the peace negotiations go.

Pressed if the CPP and the NPA are engaged in terrorist activities, Mabanta said: "They are involved in extortion and they are involved in limited execution (of people). I don't want to define it as that (terrorist activities) because there are plenty of factors that will determine if it is a terrorist act and I'm not in a position to (answer that)."

He refused to comment when asked if there is still a basis for US and EU to retain the foreign terrorist tag on the CPP and the NPA

Nevertheless, Mabanta said the AFP has relations with the US and EU. "We continue to have relations with them and we give inputs for them to come up with these pronouncements," he said.

Mabanta sought to clarify figures released by the AFP public affairs office nearly 2 weeks ago that pegged the strength of the NPA down to just 4,111 as of end-2010 from 4,702 as of end- 2009.

His office said its figures came from the office of the AFP deputy chief of staff for operations.

Quoting figures from the office of AFP deputy chief of staff for intelligence, Mabanta said the current strength of the NPA is 4,600 but maintained that this is still "much much better" than the rebels’ previous estimated strength of about 4,700.

"We'll stick to the 4,600 figure… which the most accurate," he said, adding that the figure was culled from intelligence units on the ground.

Mabanta also announced that the primary role in the conduct of internal security operations (ISO) in at least 15 provinces is due to be turned over to police and local government units this year.

"If I'm not mistaken, there are 15 provinces that are programmed to be handed over to the DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government]. It’s already on the planning board. I'm talking about basically the whole of Central Luzon, the whole of Region I and most of Region II,” he said.

The military has been handing over the lead role in the internal security operations to local government units as the rebels’ presence in the part of the country decline.

The flight of Huey choppers:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2041/16872815264249812459010.jpg

Cue: Ride of The Valkyries. :)

well again..it's clear we're not getting the Phalanx CIWS, but we should be happy the government is planning to add two more Hamiltons..we would be glad to have those weapons wishlist, but we should keep in mind our great PN navy personnels are not trained for that yet, maybe in the near future that will be, but for now.. well.....:)

My speculation on why they removed the Phalanx CIWS because I wonder if the AFP can afford armor-piercing discarding sabot tungsten rounds. Not to mention it can spray 4,500 rounds in a minute.

US Senate urged to ratify UN Law of the Sea Convention
By Jose Katigbak STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star) Updated April 27, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments


WASHINGTON – At a time when China is flexing its muscles over ownership of disputed territories in the South China Sea, Democrats and Republicans should come together and end decades of dispute over US accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, said American policy advisers in an article.


http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=679904&publicationSubCategoryId=63

its good to see these reactions from Washington which goes to show the US has not totally forgotten its duties to the region and is closely watching the events in South China Sea affecting one of its major non-NATO allies :)

The issue of UNCLOS was brought up again only a few days ago, and I dunno if this has anything to do with the upcoming visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to ASEAN in Jakarta later this week:

ASEAN welcomes first US ambassador
Tue Apr 26, 9:47 am ET


JAKARTA (AFP) – The United States' first ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) presented his credentials to the block's secretariat in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Former attorney David Lee Carden told reporters the 10-nation grouping was "full of big ideas" as he formally introduced himself to ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan.

"The United States is committed at all levels to supporting a robust ASEAN role in realising the vision of an integrated, secure, prosperous and democratic Southeast Asia," he said.

The United States is the second non-ASEAN country after Japan to permanently base an ambassador at the grouping's Jakarta headquarters.

The move comes as the Obama administration attempts to ramp up its engagement with Asia after being perceived to have stepped back from the region under the leadership of George W. Bush.

ASEAN is comprised of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The United States is keen to reap greater trade and business rewards from its relationship with the block of more than 500 million people, which is also sees as a strategic bulwark against the rise of regional power China.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110426/pl_afp/aseanusdiplomacy_20110426134705

^^ Sabay iiwanan tayo sa ere kapag may political pressure back home. LOL

I don't mean to mock the US but I'm speaking from their political history :lol:

Too bad, they don't seem to have the political honor to stick with its "allies"

But then again, who am I to blame...ganun din gawa natin nung nagpull out tayo sa Afghanistan

^^ i know, so i hope that the United Nations will always back us up,... by giving China many punishments... and i dont think that the US will back its troops up that easy coz China is a very known threat to the US... in terms of Economy and Power, China is now rising and even having a vision to surpass the United States... so i think the United States will surely do everything just to destroy China, and maybe the US actually wants some mess in the South China sea like they are looking for a good reason and a best opportunity...coz if there's war... they'll get rich knowing that their allies may buy weapons from them and at the same time facing their threats... :)

Already painted in grey and its CIWS removed, a Hamilton class cutter is still around the US waters, photo taken recently while it's heading to it's final "disposition next month at Coast Guard Island..." (photo by our very own AZKALS while surfing PDFF):

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/715.jpg

Both countries have to join though, and that is the exact reason why they have to because it's a very important trade route for them. If most of it fell to chinese hands then both countries can be choked, or be prepared for them to pay up the government of china everytime they pass through it.


^^There were like 2 battalions of PMC were sent to Palawan late last year, i don't know if it has also something to do with the AFP strategy regarding their force expansion to protect their interest in spratly.

Anyway, just reposting some photos of PMC, from various links, mga pulot lang:

http://www.murdoconline.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/philippine-marine-with-m14-332x500.jpg

By Warlord: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?116194-Funeral-for-14-Philippine-Marines
http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-07150534150884.jpg
http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-07140641200299.jpg
http://images.inquirer.net/media/networkindex/images/pic-07140643370880.jpg

By sabaya597:
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?160328-Philippine-Armed-Forces(Southeast-Asia)
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-13.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-15.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-14.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m109/40niner_com/news_images/610x-16.jpg

The flight of Huey choppers:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2041/16872815264249812459010.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2952/agospnpinwallace3.jpg
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/7941/instrumentsready.jpg
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5656/18367615722336671381274.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7363/santa10.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4199/santa7.jpg

And ofcourse by our very own ManilaBoy who happened to be roaming MilForum:
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/ACV300.jpg

Big help talaga ang Huey sa ating AFP kaya dapat at practical na e-retain nila sa service yan until they end their service life. Less cost sa maintenance, spares parts is not a problem, all weather pa at akma sa klima natin.

It can be armed with a machine gun etc., just imagine 100+ armed Huey pwede na yun at least better than nothing a big help during counter - insurgency as an air support, troop transport and rescue operation during calamities .

IMHO Just Add more planes and Helicopters while maintaining them.

while watching at NBN 4's TELEDYARYO..
there was a segment stating AFP MODERNIZATION..
citing the incoming Hamilton next month
and another 3 utility helicopters (if im not mistaken)
and another 2 night capable helicopters this year..

while watching at NBN 4's TELEDYARYO..
there was a segment stating AFP MODERNIZATION..
citing the incoming Hamilton next month
and another 3 utility helicopters (if im not mistaken)
and another 2 night capable helicopters this year..

Hope to find that link.

i dunno about you guys, but all this talk of military hardware and our military capability(really?) is starting to sound odd. hehe! :D

i don't know whats more disturbing tho, this or the Filipino Soccer Thread? :lol::lol: :jk:

but seriously, anyone here in the military (AFP)? :)

i dunno about you guys, but all this talk of military hardware and our military capability(really?) is starting to sound odd. hehe! :D

i don't know whats more disturbing tho, this or the Filipino Soccer Thread? :lol::lol: :jk:

but seriously, anyone here in the military (AFP)? :)

I know one. His username is rage@cebu.

i dunno about you guys, but all this talk of military hardware and our military capability(really?) is starting to sound odd. hehe! :D

i don't know whats more disturbing tho, this or the Filipino Soccer Thread? :lol::lol: :jk:

but seriously, anyone here in the military (AFP)? :)

Do you need to be in the military in order to figure out the defense capabilities of the AFP? Who knows some AFP personnel and Pnoy admin people are reading the comments here and start to think if what we are saying here makes sense. But at the very least, we are seeing some progress when it comes to the procurement of military hardware in the AFP... But they need to hurry up before these Chinese communists gain more foothold in the Philippine territory in the Spratlys. There is NO DOUBT the Chicoms are up to something!

seaworthy pa kaya mga Ex PCE class at yung PF 11?

oo naman. slowly but surely, we'll get there. fortunately for us, we got a 40 year-old ship that is not only upgraded extensively during their stint in the USCG but can be upgraded further by us through the addition of SSMs, SAMs and anti-electronic warfare suites and anti-submarine torpedoes when we want to. :)

siguro ngayon na wala pa tayong budget for additional weapons, simulan muna natin yung move towards acquiring anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting capabilities by acquiring multi-role naval helicopters that will come with the Hamiltons. ;)

Baka nga sa kaka Cost Cutting nila sa arnaments baka ilagay lang dyan yung mga Old Browning 50cal machineguns, oerkleon, Bofors 40mm, Old radar systems. mga WW2 pa mga yan wag naman..:ohno::bash:

^^ i know, so i hope that the United Nations will always back us up,... by giving China many punishments... and i dont think that the US will back its troops up that easy coz China is a very known threat to the US... in terms of Economy and Power, China is now rising and even having a vision to surpass the United States... so i think the United States will surely do everything just to destroy China, and maybe the US actually wants some mess in the South China sea like they are looking for a good reason and a best opportunity...coz if there's war... they'll get rich knowing that their allies may buy weapons from them and at the same time facing their threats... :)

Personally, I don'tr trust the UN. UN = nuclear club of 5 (United Nuclear? :lol:)....and that includes China. UNFORTUNATELY. All they should do to turn the tide in favor of them is pump in money and veto. Sad reality

its good to see these reactions from Washington which goes to show the US has not totally forgotten its duties to the region and is closely watching the events in South China Sea affecting one of its major non-NATO allies :)

The issue of UNCLOS was brought up again only a few days ago, and I dunno if this has anything to do with the upcoming visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to ASEAN in Jakarta later this week:


I hope the US congress will accept this "compromise" (heck, US history was built on compromise, anyway) It's either limit their "access" and let SC sea be an UNOWNED sea or limitless access and lose allies and an important trade route. :lol::lol:

Baka nga sa kaka Cost Cutting nila sa arnaments baka ilagay lang dyan yung mga Old Browning 50cal machineguns, oerkleon, Bofors 40mm, Old radar systems. mga WW2 pa mga yan wag naman..:ohno::bash:

^^ good thing that they are now having an effort to buy weapons... but that's the problem,... cost cuts... dapat lubus-lubusin nalang nila specially ngayon na our country is in threat... although having 1 or 3 Hammies will surely increase our capabilities but not enough to confront Chicoms but i know Uncle Sam will back us up, we need a strong Military to protect our interests and to maintain peace and order... :)

Return of US Forces to Subic Possible

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110428-333354/Return-of-US-forces-to-Subic-possible

By Robert Gonzaga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:18:00 04/28/2011
------------------------------------------


its for the better..some people again will not understand and start to protest. :ohno:. especially philippines is a calamity country..then China making its point to take spratlys. very strategic to have us base in the philippines. woot i would to see the b2's and f-117's..f-22 Raptors land in our soil..:banana:

Return of US Forces to Subic Possible

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110428-333354/Return-of-US-forces-to-Subic-possible

By Robert Gonzaga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:18:00 04/28/2011
------------------------------------------

its for the better..some people again will not understand and start to protest. :ohno:. especially philippines is a calamity country..then China making its point to take spratlys. very strategic to have us base in the philippines. woot i would to see the b2's and f-117's..f-22 Raptors land in our soil..:banana:

I think it's just practical since our defense is quite weak while we're building our military capabilities and we're being monitored closely by our red neighbor.

In fact I have this idea all along - lease the whole Subic to US for 100 years and let it become like HK in the same way the British leased it before.

Maganda yan, para medyo matakot namn ang China.:D

Or maghanap ng bagong location somewhere in Palawan hehe para nakatutok sa Spratly Islands..Subic is now a world class Freeport zone for investment panget kung dito rin ibabalik ang US Base.

parang hindi na sila gagastos ng ganun kalaki, ayos na yun bumalik sa dati:D

It's like hitting two birds with one stone - defense and economic strategy.

Think about it kung maging HK ang Subic na parang gawing special administrative region - may potential na maging main economic and financial hub ng Asia yan. Pwede maging gateway city yan ng investments sa Pilipinas lalo na't nagmamahal na ang labor sa China - mas mapadali ang paglipat doon kung parang gawin free trade zone yan. Magkakaroon ng competition ang Singapore at ang HK mismo lalo na kung magawa ang terminal sa DMIA. Mapabilis lalo ang development sa region na yan.

parang hindi na sila gagastos ng ganun kalaki, ayos na yun bumalik sa dati:D

Kung yun yung paraan para lumipat ang mga American companies galing China bakit hindi nila gastusan? Syempre ayaw rin nila na lalo pa lumakas ang China. :lol:

Return of US Forces to Subic Possible

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110428-333354/Return-of-US-forces-to-Subic-possible

By Robert Gonzaga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:18:00 04/28/2011
------------------------------------------


its for the better..some people again will not understand and start to protest. :ohno:. especially philippines is a calamity country..then China making its point to take spratlys. very strategic to have us base in the philippines. woot i would to see the b2's and f-117's..f-22 Raptors land in our soil..:banana:

VERY positive development, IMHO. :cheers:
the only question is can we do it without sparking renewed protests and violence from some militant sectors including those CNN legislators? And i also have a few reservations with regards to the return to Subic Base. Cos, don't we have private investors owning parts of the seaport already after the base was converted? And i think SBIA airport is also currently being used by tenants like Spirit of Manila Airways.

In fact I have this idea all along - lease the whole Subic to US for 100 years and let it become like HK in the same way the British leased it before.

Problem is there was already a handover made in 1991 or (or was it 1992?).
IMO, for the sake of national interest and development, we should no longer rescind those bases transfer agreements in Subic, Clark, etc that are now in the hands of BCDA. What we can do instead is to agree to a new base treaty with the US where we can offer other new locations as a result thereof. And i think Palawan is the best option for that, given its proximity to South China Sea while at the same time, being far from the capital and politics in Luzon. :cheers:

Or maghanap ng bagong location somewhere in Palawan hehe para nakatutok sa Spratly Islands..Subic is now a world class Freeport zone for investment panget kung dito rin ibabalik ang US Base.

Yup, Palawan has also the advantage of seclusion and exclusivity, so unless you had the means to go sightseeing in Puerto Princesa and visit the Underground River, Dos Palmas, El Nido, etc there's no reason for any peasant to go. :D Therefore discouraging NPA militants from interrupting base operations, and at the same providing the needed distance from policies in Manila. (Like Okinawa?) :cheers:

VERY positive development, IMHO. :cheers:
the only question is can we do it without sparking renewed protests and violence from some militant sectors including those CNN legislators? And i also have a few reservations with regards to the return to Subic Base. Cos, don't we have private investors owning parts of the seaport already after the base was converted? And i think SBIA airport is also currently being used by tenants like Spirit of Manila Airways.



Problem is there was already a handover made in 1991 or (or was it 1992?).
IMO, for the sake of national interest and development, we should no longer rescind those bases transfer agreements in Subic, Clark, etc that are now in the hands of BCDA. What we can do instead is to agree to a new base treaty with the US where we can offer other new locations as a result thereof. And i think Palawan is the best option for that, given its proximity to South China Sea while at the same time, being far from the capital and politics in Luzon. :cheers:

I am not very pro-American but I will take them over the mainland Chinese...

Now, to make it easier, our government should really pulbos the NPA and possibly the NDF/CPP. Masyado silang maingay ang they have a history of assasinating US soldiers...

Sasaya mga prosti nyan :lol:

But then, I think we will have to amend the constitution for this to happen. Unless the US and the Phils finds a way to activate the MDT

I say Palawan, somewhere in Mindanao (not because of the insurgency but the invaders could use the Sulu Sea or pass by Sabah) and Batanes! The most critical places we have to guard. And I think we need one in Western Luzon, too. Ilocos, La Union or Pangasinan

i hope they wont put up a US base in Palawan. all those ho's will ruin the place

^^ You do have a point! :lol: Palawan might be known from ecotourism to sex tourism. No, Palawan must be a virgin! Maybe just build the US base in Reed Bank instead! LOL :lol: or somewhere in the Spratlys. :lol:

Update:

(guguho mundo nyo, lol)


US denies reported plan to revive military base in Subic
By Jun Pasaylo (philstar.com) Updated April 28, 2011 02:50 PM Comments (0)

MANILA, Philippines – The United States embassy in Manila denied today the US government is moving to resurrect its military base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.

There were reports that the US is considering to reactivate its military base in the area following the recent visit US senators Daniel Inouye and Thad Cochran.

US embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson said the reports are unfounded since it was not the purpose of Inouye’s and Cochran’s visit to Subic this Tuesday.

“At no time during their meetings with Philippine government officials did the senators seek to re-establish the bases. The US has no plans to re-establish military bases anywhere in the Philippines,” Thompson said in a text message to reporters.

She said that the lawmakers’ visit in Subic last April 19 was only to be updated on the progress in the area since the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, especially that the US has numerous humanitarian projects in Zambales.

“They visited Subic to see the economic progress that has been made over the years and to ask how the US can collaborate,” the US spokesperson added.

For his part, SBMA administrator Arman Arreza issued a "no comment" reply when asked if the US lawmakers met with SBMA and Olongapo City officials to discuss the plan.


http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=680429&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Hindi kaya namisinterpret nung Pinoy politiko or yung reporter yung pagbisita? Masyado tayog hook sa idea eh. :lol:

^^ WUTTT????! -faints-

:lol:

i hope they wont put up a US base in Palawan. all those ho's will ruin the place

haha yea.. i think we're all aware of that risk. But what do you think is a greater risk? Getting ho's in Palawan? or getting Hu's in Palawan? :lol::lol: :jk:

but i dunno, not even Southern Palawan where the majority are Muslims? There's this place called Brooke's Point near Rio Tuba mine which i think the Americans will like. Aside from the sparse population of mostly peaceful muslim natives, the name of the municipality also reminds us of our anglo-american ties, which they can use to justify their occupation and presence hehe! the town of James Brooke. Now unless the muslims will allow their women in hijabs to whore around with their "enemies of Koran", i don't think it should cause any problem to the local community there. :D But it's not gonna happen anyway, so let's just focus on modernizing our AFP. :)

^^ WUTTT????! -faints-

:lol:



haha yea.. i think we're all aware of that risk. But what do you think is a greater risk? Getting ho's in Palawan? or getting Hu's in Palawan? :lol::lol: :jk:



lol. Sa clark na lang sila uli, para din na lumipat yung mga pokpok dun sa palawan :lol:

Air Force plane crashes in Bataan; one dead
GMANews.tv (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/218988/regions/air-force-plane-crashes-in-bataan-one-dead)
04/28/2011 | 04:07 PM


UPDATED 4:55 p.m. - A Philippine Air Force plane crashed in the shoreline of Bataan, radio DZBB reported.

The police found at least one person dead in the crash site, according to the report.

Senior Supt. Arnold Gunnacao of the Bataan police said "tingin ng COP (chief of police) ko dun AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) aircraft eh, so chinicheck ko ngayon sa AFP kung may aircraft silang ganito."

Gunnacao said the residents in the area saw the plane crash near the Stella Mariz Resort in Bagac, Bataan, at 3:15 p.m.

The police are still searching for the plane’s pilot.

Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (NolCom) chief Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan identified the ill-fated Air Force plane as an S211 aircraft.

Pangilinan said elements of the Army's 24th Infantry Battalion are securing the area.

^^ iilan na nga lang ang eroplano natin nagbabagsakan pa.

Military aircraft crashes in Bataan, killing pilot
(philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=680446)) Updated April 28, 2011 05:07 PM


MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - An Air Force pilot died Thursday after the military plane he is steering crashed in Northern Philippines, police said.

The victim has been identified as Major Ephraim Gatus Suyom. Suyom's aircraft crashed at around 3 p.m., meters away from the shoreline of Banaoang village in Bagac, Bataan, Senior Inspector Alfredo Solomon, Bagac's police chief, said.

As of press time, police investigation is ongoing.

s211. im not surprised

eto pala un sayang nman

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_En-sxfOkXP8/TJN784yvU1I/AAAAAAAAG7M/6VA8aIVkp74/s400/S211_Scramble.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_En-sxfOkXP8/TJN-kFXqCxI/AAAAAAAAG7c/ZzphRHFmx6o/s400/Aerotech+2.jpg

^^ You do have a point! :lol: Palawan might be known from ecotourism to sex tourism. No, Palawan must be a virgin! Maybe just build the US base in Reed Bank instead! LOL :lol: or somewhere in the Spratlys. :lol:

^^ correct :okay: if ever in the future biglang magbago yung mundo at matuloy yung pagbabalik ng mga Kano sa Pinaz,... well i dont want Palawan to be ruined, its a beautiful island and must be developed... ilagay nalang nila mga US navy sa spratley's... im not also that pro-American but it will be an advantage for us in terms of defense if the US bases will be revived but what i hate bwt it is if our AFP will again Rely too much on the US and doesn't even mind modernizing our Military... :down:

Air Force plane crashes in Bataan; one dead

^^ tsk2 Oh Dear President, i hope we stop buying Flying Coffins... Never Again!!! :cry:

^^ correct :okay: if ever in the future biglang magbago yung mundo at matuloy yung pagbabalik ng mga Kano sa Pinaz,... well i dont want Palawan to be ruined, its a beautiful island and must be developed... ilagay nalang nila mga US navy sa spratley's... im not also that pro-American but it will be an advantage for us in terms of defense if the US bases will be revived but what i hate bwt it is if our AFP will again Rely too much on the US and doesn't even mind modernizing our Military... :down:

The sad reality. Then tayo pa may gana magalit kapag di tayo binibigyan ng freebies. To be fair to Uncle Sam, it is not their obligation to upgrade our military. Feeling ng ibang Filipinos eh responsibility ni Uncle Sam...mga engot talaga. LOL

The sad reality. Then tayo pa may gana magalit kapag di tayo binibigyan ng freebies. To be fair to Uncle Sam, it is not their obligation to upgrade our military. Feeling ng ibang Filipinos eh responsibility ni Uncle Sam...mga engot talaga. LOL
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=76837027
^^ Spoiled kasi ni Uncle Sam eh... :lol: anyway, while the US troops are here it would be our opportunity to strengthen our Military Power... para din ma improve jungle fighting skills nila then if ayus lang sa kanila,... let them join and help us fights those NPA's and muslim rebels specially Abu sayaf...

^^ Sana bilhin din natin yung Oliver Perry after the Hammies... kahit 1 lang, or kung gusto ng Gobyerno mas marami edi mas mabuti... :D

yOTHrdXneCY

like 3 Hammies and 3 Oliver Perry's and even more... hmmm Sweet :)

we dont know baka training ground nila yung Hammies for stronger Ships and at the same time lalagyan nila ng mas malalakas na armaments yung Hammies... :okay:

^^ come to think of it, buti pa mga barko kahit luma bihira kung lumubog...

ang eroplano kahit brand new pwedeng sabitan ng ibon ang makina at bumagsak.

What more kung about more than 15 years old na? hayy (gaya ng s211 natin)

IMHO the navy should be the priority for modernization. I rest my case.

^^ come to think of it, buti pa mga barko kahit luma bihira kung lumubog...

ang eroplano kahit brand new pwedeng sabitan ng ibon ang makina at bumagsak.

What more kung about more than 15 years old na? hayy (gaya ng s211 natin)

IMHO the navy should be the priority for modernization. I rest my case.

^^
yah, :okay: dapat i priority natin yung Navy,... but i think the Navy will function more better with Air crafts... kahit nga US navy may mga eroplano eh like F-18 Hornets... kahit 1 squadron lang for now, ok na... :okay: pangit kasi tingnan Air force natin wala na man lang MRF's... hehe i 100% agree na dapat palakasin natin ung Navy at sila muna yung priority,... :) kahit next time na yung Air force basta bagong MRF's lang yung bibilhin... hehe

Ultimate guardia ng Pilipinas is a strong Navy and Airforce. The Army is more for landlocked country. Kaya nga nadali tayo sa Bataan nung WW2, sira agad ang Navy at Airforce :lol:

Pero totoo yung sinabi mo, spoiled brat ata tayo ni Uncle Sam. Can't think of many benefit they can gain from us aside from location and perhaps some jungle skills (better than Survivor, LOL) :lol: at taga bili rin ng ukay ukay nila :lol:

Ang dating nito eh parang gintong naging bato.... Philippine media nga naman. Ginawa pa man din headline yung tungkol sa bases. Hahahaha

Ang dating, para tayong umaasa sa wala

Sino ba kasi naman nagpalabas nung statement na ganun. Wag ganun! :lol:

Visit of US senators not part of alleged plans to re-establish bases'
By Ding Cervantes (The Philippine Star) Updated April 29, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – The US embassy yesterday denied reports that the recent visit of US senators Daniel Inouye and Thad Cochran was part of plans to reestablish the former US military bases in the country.

US embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson said the senators merely wanted to know the progress made in the two former military bases in Clark and Subic since the Americans left. Thompson said the US government “has no plans to re-establish military bases there nor anywhere in the Philippines.”

Thompson denied the reports that the visit of the two senior US lawmakers raised the prospect of the return of US bases at Clark and Subic.

The US military left the bases after the Senate abrogated the Military Bases Agreement, which expired in 1992.

The two senators flew to Subic and then to Clark last Tuesday.

“Senators Inouye and Cochran visited Clark to see progress there, as the last time Sen. Inouye traveled there was after the (Mt. Pinatubo) volcano’s eruption and devastation,” Thompson said.

She said the senators also visited Subic “to see the economic progress that has been made over the years and to ask how the US can collaborate.”

Former senator Richard Gordon said nothing was mentioned about US military plans in the Philippines during their visit. Gordon was among those who welcomed Inouye and Cochran during the visit to Subic.

“They have not said they want to come back,” Gordon said.

Gordon described Inouye as his friend, as they had both worked hard for the granting of US benefits for Filipino war veterans.

He said that after visiting the Philippines, the two senators flew to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

“Would that mean they also intended to put up bases there?” Gordon said.

“Of course, I find nothing wrong with the US military’s prolonged stay at Subic. US aircraft carriers docking there are welcome to boost local tourism, although I would not object if the Filipino people again decide to allow US military bases in the country. What is wrong with that?” he asked.

Gordon said the two senators merely wanted to find out how the two former US bases have fared since the Americans pulled out.

Clark was abandoned by the US Air Force in 1991 in the face of the pending eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, which drove them to seek refuge in Subic.

American troops later pulled out from Subic after the Philippine Senate voted in 1991 not to renew the Military Bases Agreement with the US.

Inouye, chairman of the US Senate appropriations committee, said he merely wanted to find out whether it is still possible to dock US aircraft carriers at Subic Bay.

Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) vice president for finance Larry Ortille, who was among those who attended the meeting with Inouye and Cochran during their visit here, also said that “all discussions during the meeting covered only economic developments at the airport and the rest of Clark.”

“Nothing military was brought up at all,” Ortille said, adding the two senators were initially given a 10-minute briefing on development at Clark since the Americans left.

Ortille said Inouye seemed impressed and even jokingly asked CIAC president Victor Jose Luciano whether he would be willing to manage the Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III also rejected the prospect of a return of US troops to their former bases here.

“Why? Justify to me,” Osmeña said.

“Why do we need to increase US troops when we already kicked out the bases? So, we are doing them a favor... when we threw them out they did not want to be thrown out either,” he added.

Gordon added the presence of the US military in the Philippines would not necessarily increase tensions with China.

While China could indeed overtake the US economy, Gordon said the US will remain much more technologically advanced.

“Of course, we can also welcome Chinese vessels as well as vessels from other countries to dock at our ports,” Gordon said.

Asked if the US move is related to the flexing of muscles of China, which economy has already overtaken Japan as the second largest economy in the world, Osmeña said one would understand the US government’s need to expand its military presence in Asia.

“If I were the US, yes. I would want bases everywhere. But is it to our benefit? We have already made our big debate in 1991 when the Senate voted to throw out the bases. But nothing has happened since then to make us change our mind,” Osmeña said.

Without the US bases here, Osmeña said the Philippine government managed to establish good relations with the US.

But with China’s growing economy and strength, Osmeña said the Philippine government should not allow itself to be caught in the battle between the two economic and military superpowers.

“We’ve had excellent relations with America since then. So why do we need to host their bases here? We also don’t want to get involved in the fight between two giants,” he said. – With Christina Mendez


http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=680537&publicationSubCategoryId=63

But my take on Osmena's opinion: even if we don't host US military bases again, we will still be caught up between the two powers. China is very interested in our resources, on the other hand, while Uncle Sam is not as interested in our resources as China does, I think they are keen in maintaining relations with the Philippines to hold on to their influence in the region.

With bases or not, ipit pa rin tayo...unless we decide to relocatye the archipelago including the Spratlys somewhere South of Australia :lol: That given, I think it would be better to have the bases. But I don't think the US is that interested. I think they are content with the VFA.

---But at the end of the day, the US bases return is media sensationalism. :/

AFP to buy 12 air, naval assets
By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated April 29, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - The military will spend about P11 billion for 12 naval and air assets.

These are three naval patrol vessels, three patrol helicopters, two search and rescue helicopters, and four fixed-wing aircraft, according to Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, Armed Forces Modernization Program Management Office chief.

All the aircraft would be brand new, while the Navy vessels would be refurbished, he added.

Deveraturda said the acquisitions will enhance the military’s patrolling and disaster response capabilities.

“These assets will have many uses,” he said.

“We can use them not only in times of war and threat but also in times of calamity.” Deveraturda said funding for these assets will come from the P8-billion proceeds from the Malampaya natural gas project in Palawan and the P3-billion modernization outlay.

“These assets are deployable anywhere,” he said.

“For now, we are focused on areas that we need to secure like the western Sulu Sea and waters off Palawan. Our mandate is to secure our 200-mile economic zone.”

The military hopes to complete the acquisition within a year. Technical working groups are now determining the specifications of the assets to be bought.

Meanwhile, two more Hamilton-class cutters will be acquired from the United States.

Armed Forces spokesman Commodore Miguel Rodriguez said the two ships are on top of the cutter to be delivered by the US Coast Guard in August.

“We are looking at acquiring more Hamiltons in the future,” he said.

“The acquisition (of the two ships) is still being discussed. It is in the exploratory stage.”

Rodriguez said the two cutters are no longer used by the US Coast Guard.

“This is an opportunity because the United States will decommission these ships, and then these are being offered to other countries,” he said.

“So we will compete with other countries to buy (them).”

The decommissioned ships are still functioning well even if they are older than the other US water assets, Rodriguez said.

Each Hamilton-class cutter costs about P1.2 billion.

The acquisition of the cutters will be bankrolled by the AFP modernization fund.

A cutter is a high-speed vessel that can cut through waves.

If the acquisition pushes through, the ships would be the first Hamilton-class cutters in the Navy’s inventory.

The US Coast Guard cutter, which is about 380 feet long, would become the Navy’s largest ship. The Navy’s current flagship and largest surface combatant, the BRP Rajah Humabon, is 308 feet long.

Rodriguez said the US cutter that will arrive in August would be stationed in Palawan to secure the natural resources, including oil deposits, in the area.

“Right now, our focus is on our natural resources in the Palawan area,” he said.

“We are trying to (set up) defenses as we transition from internal defense to external defense which is actually the primary role of the Armed Forces.”

Navy data showed that out of the 53 patrol ships in the inventory, only 26 are operational.

These patrol ships are of the average age of 36.4 years. The bigger of these vessels – the mine sweeper frigates and patrol craft escorts – are 66 and 67 years old.

Only three of the seven Navy transport vessels are operational and are already 15 years old.

The non-operational vessels are 64 years old. On the other hand, only four of the 10 Navy auxiliary ships are operational. From among the 32 small craft, 23 are operational and are of an average age of 21.3 years.

On Monday, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said President Aquino will issue an executive order allotting P8 billion from the Malampaya funds to secure energy-related projects, including new exploration by investors off Palawan.

“We need to ensure the security of all these new exploration areas,” he said.

“So thereby we did recommend and said we need to augment the security in all of these service contracts that have been previously awarded.”

The AFP Modernization Act, which took effect in 1995, has given the military the opportunity to modernize in 15 years with a total fund of P331 billion.

More than16 years have passed since the law was enacted but critics said the AFP is not even close to a modern battle force.

The delay in the implementation of the law has been attributed to lack of state funds.

Deveraturda said of the P331 billion provided by law, only P53 billion have been allotted and only about P33 billion spent.

“If we would be asked, we want some adjustments to hasten the process,” he said.

“It would be good if we can complete the process in one year,” he added.

Deveraturda said the law requires that a failure of bidding be declared before they can conduct a negotiated bid.

“We want to change the procedures so we can fast-track the procurement processes and at the same time protect the funds (from corruption),” he said.


http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=680558&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Pumapapel lang si Honasan. Nagalit lang sa mga amerikano dahil hindi sinuportahan ang kanyang kudeta. At remember, sya rin ang nag-propose na magkaroon ng military exercise with China which is a stupid idea!

^^ He is asking to be invaded. Just ratify the Australian proposal for VFA than Uncle Hu's. Australia is just as worried, I believe

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=76837027
^^ Spoiled kasi ni Uncle Sam eh... :lol: anyway, while the US troops are here it would be our opportunity to strengthen our Military Power... para din ma improve jungle fighting skills nila then if ayus lang sa kanila,... let them join and help us fights those NPA's and muslim rebels specially Abu sayaf...

^^ Sana bilhin din natin yung Oliver Perry after the Hammies... kahit 1 lang, or kung gusto ng Gobyerno mas marami edi mas mabuti... :D

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOTHrdXneCY">YouTube Link</a>

like 3 Hammies and 3 Oliver Perry's and even more... hmmm Sweet :)

we dont know baka training ground nila yung Hammies for stronger Ships and at the same time lalagyan nila ng mas malalakas na armaments yung Hammies... :okay:

For the meantime putting American presence in the Phil would buy more time for the country to uprade its capabilities.

The sad reality. Then tayo pa may gana magalit kapag di tayo binibigyan ng freebies. To be fair to Uncle Sam, it is not their obligation to upgrade our military. Feeling ng ibang Filipinos eh responsibility ni Uncle Sam...mga engot talaga. LOL

Beggar mentality. The feeling of entitlement without sweating it out won't make it go far with that attitude.

^^ kaugali ng gobyerno natin yung mga beggars sa Pilipinas...marami n(though hindi lahat) eh masgustong magbeg kasi masmadali kita....no sweat pa. Nakatayo o upo maghapon

The arrogance of Osmena and Honasan. I bet once China shoots missile on us, they will be the first asking for US help. Hehe

---

It never occurred to me than non-Filipinos are interested in what the AFP does

http://militarynuts.com/index.php?showtopic=2286&st=0

old stuff but worth reading. Nanjan yung pic nagpapabuhat na general at scandalo ng peacekeepers

Osmena - justify to me?-- hoy bisayang bugok, walang magandang depensa ang Pilipinas laban sa Intsik! Di mo ba ma-gets? Hina-harass ang Pilipinas ng mga intsik di mo ba maintindihan? Ang hirap sa mga old time politicians na mga eto. Maliit pa ako senador na ang hinayupak wala namang magawang mabuti sa Pilipinas! At saan ba tayo nakakita ng lider ng mga nagkudeta na naging senador hanggang ngayon? Imbis na sa kulungan dahil linabag ang batas, naging taga-gawa pa ng batas!

^^Onli in da Pilipins.

Honasan, Trillanes...and more to come!

:lol:

Osmena - justify to me?-- hoy bisayang bugok, walang magandang depensa ang Pilipinas laban sa Intsik! Di mo ba ma-gets? Hina-harass ang Pilipinas ng mga intsik di mo ba maintindihan? Ang hirap sa mga old time politicians na mga eto. Maliit pa ako senador na ang hinayupak wala namang magawang mabuti sa Pilipinas! At saan ba tayo nakakita ng lider ng mga nagkudeta na naging senador hanggang ngayon? Imbis na sa kulungan dahil linabag ang batas, naging taga-gawa pa ng batas!

Hindi po kasalanan ng mga senador yan! Tayo po ang pumili sa kanila: we deserve what we choose, ika nga! Kahit ano ang kalalabasan, tayo ang masisisi, IMO. Kahit gagawa ka ng listahan ng mga kamalian, sabihin mong kasalanan ng mga mambabatas, ang tanong ko, sino po ba ang naglagay sa kanila sa poder?

Kung may bugok na bisaya, bisaya ka rin rin yata? Diri ka naawod padi?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."- Thucydides

kaya namn nangyayari yan, kasi supported nila ang opposition/Pnoy camp at nanalo namn si pnoy eh di lalong gumanda ang kapit nila.:D

Hindi po kasalanan ng mga senador yan! Tayo po ang pumili sa kanila: we deserve what we choose, ika nga! Kahit ano ang kalalabasan, tayo ang masisisi, IMO. Kahit gagawa ka ng listahan ng mga kamalian, sabihin mong kasalanan ng mga mambabatas, ang tanong ko, sino po ba ang naglagay sa kanila sa poder?

Kung may bugok na bisaya, bisaya ka rin rin yata? Diri ka naawod padi?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."- Thucydides

Naawod nga ano padi? kay diri man ak bugok.

This news is just a media hype. And the two bright senators overacted.

^^Yes. Plus constitutionally impossible. lol

Return of US Forces to Subic Possible

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110428-333354/Return-of-US-forces-to-Subic-possible

By Robert Gonzaga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:18:00 04/28/2011
------------------------------------------


its for the better..some people again will not understand and start to protest. :ohno:. especially philippines is a calamity country..then China making its point to take spratlys. very strategic to have us base in the philippines. woot i would to see the b2's and f-117's..f-22 Raptors land in our soil..:banana:
I would support the return of US bases here.100%:banana::banana::banana:

^^ pero di talaga totoo eh. nagdeny na ang us embassy

in other words, wishful thinking tayo :lol:

Paano yan magwawala na naman ang mga kumunistang Tongresman sa kalye kapag natuloy yan..:ohno::ohno::ohno: Dapat may pantapat din tayo dyan eh.

Alam nyo ba guys na may nag vandal sa pader ng tita ko sa Antipolo City saying "Mga Kabataan, sumali sa pakikidigma, Digmaan ang solusyon sa kahirapan CPP NDF" na nagpakulo sa dugo namin. Nag-vandal na nga panget pa mensahe..!!! I think it was during their anniversary, mahilig sila sa vandalism.

Mga bastos talaga na NPA, wonder hindi popular ang support nila sa Pinas unlike noon sa Vietnam at China...

buti sana kung sila din maglilinis ng pader nyo.

^^mga kupal talaga yang mga ignoranteng komunista! naturian pang graduate ang kanilang mga liderato sa UP!

tang--a ilang pages nalang bawas nanaman ng 100 posts tayo!

yup sa isang State University pa sila nag-aaral (U.P) pinapag-aral sila ng government natin sa sariling paaralan but hell their doing these, pati mga natives na lehetimong taga bundok the Agta (Aetas) sa place namin sa Bicol nagbabaan gawa nila. Mga lechugas sila. :bash::bash::bash:

sayang ang tax natin paaral sa kanila:D

^^I would personally support any possibilities of the return of US bases in the philippines,as long as the 2 countries will come up with atleast a win-win solution and benefits for both countries, economically and militarilty speaking. The philippines can offer a huge manpower to support the military base, while it can also benefits from US military expertise to help boost the philippines' SRDP to produce locally made military assets by joint-venture projects. On top of this, the US would pay rental fees for their base. So overall, the philippines should benefit more than the americans. That's how i see it.

^^ It's always been that way. May mga kupal lang na politiko at leftist.

@spearhead
o sige gawa ka ng online petition:D ibalik ang US bases:D


ayaw ko rin ng China maghari-harian dito sa Asia pacific region

sayang ang tax natin paaral sa kanila:D

uu nga eh. imbes na icontribute nila skills nila (na pinagkagastusan ng tax natin) para mabuild economy natin, sila ang tagasira! Pinapalayas mga dayuhan maliban sa instik

^^ You do have a point! :lol: Palawan might be known from ecotourism to sex tourism. No, Palawan must be a virgin! Maybe just build the US base in Reed Bank instead! LOL :lol: or somewhere in the Spratlys. :lol:


I think, if we will ever allow the americans to return their military base here, let them base their military assets at Kalayaan Islands instead. Let them develop it for military and commercial use without compromising it's natural resources around the area. And the military base there will be a joint use by both countries.

Update:

(guguho mundo nyo, lol)





http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=680429&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Hindi kaya namisinterpret nung Pinoy politiko or yung reporter yung pagbisita? Masyado tayog hook sa idea eh. :lol:


I strongly believe that their real intention is to asses the area for possible return of their military assets to the country. The US would have just perhaps playing some games with the media and thus denying the report of their return, to keep people away from the truth to avoid controversies specially that they wouldnt just hurt the feelings of the right wingers.

I say this because there are 2 things that we should keep in mind:

1. The philippines is over due in finishing their job against the terrorrism and insurgency that supposed to be done by last year. A promise that was made by PGMA 3 yrs ago.

2. Tension in spratlys among all claimants specially between china, vietnam and the philippines. China's economic boom is an economi threat against the US.

So it is very important for the US to do something and keep their influence intact in asia.

yup sa isang State University pa sila nag-aaral (U.P) pinapag-aral sila ng government natin sa sariling paaralan but hell their doing these, pati mga natives na lehetimong taga bundok the Agta (Aetas) sa place namin sa Bicol nagbabaan gawa nila. Mga lechugas sila. :bash::bash::bash:

sayang ang tax natin paaral sa kanila:D

^^ It's always been that way. May mga kupal lang na politiko at leftist.

@spearhead
o sige gawa ka ng online petition:D ibalik ang US bases:D


ayaw ko rin ng China maghari-harian dito sa Asia pacific region

uu nga eh. imbes na icontribute nila skills nila (na pinagkagastusan ng tax natin) para mabuild economy natin, sila ang tagasira! Pinapalayas mga dayuhan maliban sa instik


Sabi ko sa inyo, for the last 3 yrs na talagang laganap na ang mga komunista at desperado nang makakuha ng financial support from all over canada.

Dito palang sa ontario, kahit anong major malls within GTA (Greater Toronto Area), ang mga kupal nagkakapalan talaga ng mga mukha nilang mamalimos sa mga pilipinong taga dito!

Kahapon lang for so many times over again, while window shopping, 2 groups of filipinos have approached me and asked me if i am a filipino, eh di ko naman maitago dahil sa accent ko. Tapos nanghihingi ng pera para daw suportahan mga batang ulila sa pilipinas! Ok, sino ang maniniwala sa kanila? malay ko ba kung talagang dun pupunta ang pera ko?

Eh 10 yrs ago palang inamin ng kakilala naming mga NPA na taga dito eh isa yan sa mga trabaho nila para makaipon ng pondo para matulungan nila mga kapwa nilang komunista sa pinas, panggastos nila sa mga rallies at kung ano ano pa! So BS sila, ano ko tanga, buti nalang may alam ako, eh pano na yung mga walang alam na pinoy dito at im sure mauuto sila! :ohno:

^^Isa pang style nila, susugod nalang sila sa mga vietnamese restaurant para mang HARANA! Tapos iisa isahin nila mga taong kumakain sa loob at nanghihingi ng pera!!! Kakahiya! not sure kung kasama sila sa mga kupal na komunista nayan ha, pero mga mukha silan gmangloloko at mga scambags!

ngee, parang sa Pinas ang daming gan yan:D sa bus, sa mga shops pumapasok na rin.:D

scammers...iexpose sa media! hahahaha

kung hindi rin sila mahiya

hindi lang nila sinisira ang Pinas, pati mga mabubuting nangtratrabaho abroad, sinisira ang image

sabi ko sa inyo, habang kumakanta sila, ang lulungkot ng mga mukha at di man mapangiti parang laging kabado tapos di naman ganun kaganda mga boses......... mukha talaga silang mga taga bundok imported from sierra madre, mariveles, at benguet! mabuti nalang mababait mga vietnamese sa atin, although palibhasa sanay silang makipag deal sa mga komunista... :lol: siguro pinagbibigyan nalang nila mga ungos nayun, kawawa nga eh parang napipilitan nalang silang kumanta. Pero kahapon, kapal talaga ng mga mukha nila, yung isang grupo, twice ko nakasalubong tapos kinulit parin ako.... haay buhay pinoy talaga.... ocge gudnite sa inyo tutulog nako! :lol:

totoo pala sinasabi nila, mayayaman mga pulubi sa Pilipinas. Hindi kaya NPA din yung nagpapalaganap ng pulubi sa Pilipinas na laminated pa yung kung anu man yung nakasulat na tag nila? lol

Military aircraft crashes in Bataan, killing pilot
(philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=680446)) Updated April 28, 2011 05:07 PM


MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - An Air Force pilot died Thursday after the military plane he is steering crashed in Northern Philippines, police said.

The victim has been identified as Major Ephraim Gatus Suyom. Suyom's aircraft crashed at around 3 p.m., meters away from the shoreline of Banaoang village in Bagac, Bataan, Senior Inspector Alfredo Solomon, Bagac's police chief, said.

As of press time, police investigation is ongoing.

2 PAF pilots killed in Bataan plane crash (http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/30562-2-PAF-pilots-killed-in-Bataan-plane-crash.html)

MANILA — A Philippine Air Force (PAF) S-211 jet trainer plane crashed near a resort in the shorelines of Bataan at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, killing two pilots on board, a PAF official said.
Lt. Col. Mike Okol, PAF spokesman, said the pilots were on a proficiency training flight when their plane crashed near the Stella Maris Resort in Bagac, some 200 kilometers northwest of Manila.
Okol said identities of the two pilots were withheld pending the notification of their next of kin.
An Air Force team from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City was dispatched to the crash site to conduct an investigation of the incident.
Okol said other details of the crash will be released to the public as soon as the initial investigation is completed.
The S-211 is a trainer jet aircraft acquired by the PAF from Italy in 1989. (PNA)

^^ tsk2 Oh Dear President, i hope we stop buying Flying Coffins... Never Again!!! :cry:

The S-211 was bought brand new from Italy in 1989.

Already painted in grey and its CIWS removed, a Hamilton class cutter is still around the US waters, photo taken recently while it's heading to it's final "disposition next month at Coast Guard Island..." (photo by our very own AZKALS while surfing PDFF):

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/715.jpg

That is not the one ordered by the Philippine Navy.

Return of US Forces to Subic Possible

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110428-333354/Return-of-US-forces-to-Subic-possible

By Robert Gonzaga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:18:00 04/28/2011
------------------------------------------


its for the better..some people again will not understand and start to protest. :ohno:. especially philippines is a calamity country..then China making its point to take spratlys. very strategic to have us base in the philippines. woot i would to see the b2's and f-117's..f-22 Raptors land in our soil..:banana:

The USAF has retired the F-117.

Kung may bugok na bisaya, bisaya ka rin rin yata? Diri ka naawod padi?


^^ Specifically Waray... Wow, Waraynon ka ngayan gjp Parchie? :cheers1:

Just some trivia: Harvey Lee Oswald, John F Kennedy's assassin was one stationed in the Philippines. He was arrested for indiscriminately firing in the jungle.

Wala lang. Scary?

^^ kaugali ng gobyerno natin yung mga beggars sa Pilipinas...marami n(though hindi lahat) eh masgustong magbeg kasi masmadali kita....no sweat pa. Nakatayo o upo maghapon

The arrogance of Osmena and Honasan. I bet once China shoots missile on us, they will be the first asking for US help. Hehe

---

It never occurred to me than non-Filipinos are interested in what the AFP does

http://militarynuts.com/index.php?showtopic=2286&st=0

old stuff but worth reading. Nanjan yung pic nagpapabuhat na general at scandalo ng peacekeepers

^^ haha,... asa ka pa sa Gobyerno natin,... by law bawal ang pagnanakaw kaya hinuhuli yung mga magnanakaw pero yung number 1 talaga na magnanakaw yung mas higit pa yung ninanakaw ay yung naka upo sa Bansa at kanyang mga kasamahan... :lol:

i think the only time that d country will struggle if China personally gives us threat of invasion or if we already attacked... tsk2 according to a Greek guy(i forgot who was it) that "we should prepare in peace what we need on War"...

Just some trivia: Harvey Lee Oswald, John F Kennedy's assassin was one stationed in the Philippines. He was arrested for indiscriminately firing in the jungle.

Wala lang. Scary?

^^:nuts: nakuh poh dito pala siya ng.sanay, hehehe baka kamag.anak ni ampatuan :D

Sabi ko sa inyo, for the last 3 yrs na talagang laganap na ang mga komunista at desperado nang makakuha ng financial support from all over canada.

Dito palang sa ontario, kahit anong major malls within GTA (Greater Toronto Area), ang mga kupal nagkakapalan talaga ng mga mukha nilang mamalimos sa mga pilipinong taga dito!

Kahapon lang for so many times over again, while window shopping, 2 groups of filipinos have approached me and asked me if i am a filipino, eh di ko naman maitago dahil sa accent ko. Tapos nanghihingi ng pera para daw suportahan mga batang ulila sa pilipinas! Ok, sino ang maniniwala sa kanila? malay ko ba kung talagang dun pupunta ang pera ko?

Eh 10 yrs ago palang inamin ng kakilala naming mga NPA na taga dito eh isa yan sa mga trabaho nila para makaipon ng pondo para matulungan nila mga kapwa nilang komunista sa pinas, panggastos nila sa mga rallies at kung ano ano pa! So BS sila, ano ko tanga, buti nalang may alam ako, eh pano na yung mga walang alam na pinoy dito at im sure mauuto sila! :ohno:

communists pala yun? haha, ang dami nga ganyan sa GTA.. those caregiver looking pinays soliciting charity from fellow pinoys :lol: i got approached a few times actually, normally when i hang out in Wilson or in those vietnamese or chinese buffet restos that are usually packed with pinoy customers..

and they usually solicit in pairs right, one goes up to you and hands you the envelope, and the other caregiver does the explaining. :lol: i normally just smile at them and pretend not to know Tagalog, i just say sorry pow... :lol: Although one time, i gave $5.. they said it was for victims of Ondoy? (oh no! you mean now that actually went to Ka Joma? shit nauto ako haha!) :bash::bash: But that was ondoy kase, and i got carried away :lol::lol:

communists pala yun? haha, ang dami nga ganyan sa GTA.. those caregiver looking pinays soliciting charity from fellow pinoys :lol: i got approached a few times actually, normally when i hang out in Wilson or in those vietnamese or chinese buffet restos that are usually packed with pinoy customers..

and they usually solicit in pairs right, one goes up to you and hands you the envelope, and the other caregiver does the explaining. :lol: i normally just smile at them and pretend not to know Tagalog, i just say sorry pow... :lol: Although one time, i gave $5.. they said it was for victims of Ondoy? (oh no! you mean now that actually went to Ka Joma? shit nauto ako haha!) :bash::bash: But that was ondoy kase, and i got carried away :lol::lol:

Hahaha that's funny taga dito karin pala and worst nabiktima ka nila! :lol:

Tama lang din ginawa mo atleast $5 lng naibigay mo. Ako naman palusot ko nun, wala akong cash na dala, debit bank card lang!!! :lol:

Yep mahirap magpaniwala sa mga ganyan, lalo na pagmalaman mong mga kampon ni joma itong mga kolokoy nayan, laganap na talaga sila at desperadong makasuporta sa mga tagabundok nilang kasamahan sa pinas. :ohno:

"be a betrayal to the legacy of LAWMAKERS and ORGANIZATIONS that kicked
out the US forces in the Philippines in 1991..."

Good thing this statement came from BAYAN's own mouth. Yes it is indeed true--and it didn't came from the filipino people themselves but from these corrupt politicians and communist-lover organizations. If there was a REFERENDUM that time, majority of the filipino people would have supported the stay of the US bases. Now the country is more vulnerable when it comes to its national security. And to top this insult off --this same BAYAN who was quick to respond and issue statements like these when it comes to Philippine sovereignty has issued not a single form of protest against the Chinese government. A real bunch of hypocrites!

I remember a long time ago talking to one of the UP students who were against anything "USA"... I told her that if you look at the record, US companies investing in the PHL pay their taxes honestly, while Chinese buisnesses bribe the BIR agents to avoid paying their taxes--simple violation of Philippine tax laws-- and they get away with it. Most of these Chinese businesses are scattered throughout the cities in the PHL. And these students were protesting in schools and everywhere wearing Nike shoes.

Good thing this statement came from BAYAN's own mouth. Yes it is indeed true--and it didn't came from the filipino people themselves but from these corrupt politicians and communist-lover organizations. If there was a REFERENDUM that time, majority of the filipino people would have supported the stay of the US bases. Now the country is more vulnerable when it comes to its national security. And to top this insult off --this same BAYAN who was quick to respond and issue statements like these when it comes to Philippine sovereignty has issued not a single form of protest against the Chinese government. A real bunch of hypocrites!

Exactly. The Chinese are starting to threaten us directly and as we've seen the past few months, they've been flipping on us...parang ang tindi ng mood swing nila. Ang bait at maamo kapag may gusto silang favor pero kapag tayo ang may favor sasabihin understand them daw. Tapos mamaya biglang lash out sa atin... menopausal ata ang China. :lol: Kaya menopausal din ang leftists
:lol:
I remember a long time ago talking to one of the UP students who were against anything "USA"... I told her that if you look at the record, US companies investing in the PHL pay their taxes honestly, while Chinese buisnesses bribe the BIR agents to avoid paying their taxes--simple violation of Philippine tax laws-- and they get away with it. Most of these Chinese businesses are scattered throughout the cities in the PHL. And these students were protesting in schools and everywhere wearing Nike shoes.

Ang US kasi, they prohibit their companies overseas in bribing officials. As in bawal tagala may punishment. Ang China, wala..kaya may ZTE-NBN deal scandal tayo. And looks like they don't do anything. Double faced ang China. They don't care if they screw the country's they invest in

communists pala yun? haha, ang dami nga ganyan sa GTA.. those caregiver looking pinays soliciting charity from fellow pinoys :lol: i got approached a few times actually, normally when i hang out in Wilson or in those vietnamese or chinese buffet restos that are usually packed with pinoy customers..

and they usually solicit in pairs right, one goes up to you and hands you the envelope, and the other caregiver does the explaining. :lol: i normally just smile at them and pretend not to know Tagalog, i just say sorry pow... :lol: Although one time, i gave $5.. they said it was for victims of Ondoy? (oh no! you mean now that actually went to Ka Joma? shit nauto ako haha!) :bash::bash: But that was ondoy kase, and i got carried away :lol::lol:

So embarrasing. Di ba ganyan din style sa Pinas? Mga iba pa mga may binebentang ovepriced na kakanin tapos may ipapakita sa iyo na letter

I remember a long time ago talking to one of the UP students who were against anything "USA"... I told her that if you look at the record, US companies investing in the PHL pay their taxes honestly, while Chinese buisnesses bribe the BIR agents to avoid paying their taxes--simple violation of Philippine tax laws-- and they get away with it. Most of these Chinese businesses are scattered throughout the cities in the PHL. And these students were protesting in schools and everywhere wearing Nike shoes.

^^ i rather go with Uncle Sam than the Terrible Uncle Hu who gives us fake gifts for Christmas... :D

^^ i rather go with Uncle Sam than the Terrible Uncle Hu who gives us fake gifts for Christmas... :D

At least si Uncle Sam minsan nagogoyo natin... Si Uncle 'Ho, I mean Hu, lagi tayong ginogoyo :lol::lol::lol:

I remember a long time ago talking to one of the UP students who were against anything "USA"... I told her that if you look at the record, US companies investing in the PHL pay their taxes honestly, while Chinese buisnesses bribe the BIR agents to avoid paying their taxes--simple violation of Philippine tax laws-- and they get away with it. Most of these Chinese businesses are scattered throughout the cities in the PHL. And these students were protesting in schools and everywhere wearing Nike shoes.

Chinese companies? They are not Philippine companies owned by Chinese Filipinos am I right?

communists pala yun? haha, ang dami nga ganyan sa GTA.. those caregiver looking pinays soliciting charity from fellow pinoys :lol: i got approached a few times actually, normally when i hang out in Wilson or in those vietnamese or chinese buffet restos that are usually packed with pinoy customers..

and they usually solicit in pairs right, one goes up to you and hands you the envelope, and the other caregiver does the explaining. :lol: i normally just smile at them and pretend not to know Tagalog, i just say sorry pow... :lol: Although one time, i gave $5.. they said it was for victims of Ondoy? (oh no! you mean now that actually went to Ka Joma? shit nauto ako haha!) :bash::bash: But that was ondoy kase, and i got carried away :lol::lol:

I got approached one and asked me my nationality. I told them I'm Indonesian and they never bothered me the moment after. :lol:

Ayan, spear at manileno, may idea na kayo. Next time tell them your either Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean or Bruneian (or whatever you call people from Brunei :lol:)

Chinese companies? They are not Philippine companies owned by Chinese Filipinos am I right? That's what I meant. And their strategy is to marry filipinos so they can own their business 100 percent.

Ayan, spear at manileno, may idea na kayo. Next time tell them your either Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean or Bruneian (or whatever you call people from Brunei :lol:)

Hahaha actually sabihin ko koreano ako :lol: mukha naman talaga akong chinese or korean sabi ng karamihan... basta gawin kong "L" lahat ng "R" ko sa words na sasabihin ko hahaha :lol::lol:

Bruneiskis!!!

With the recent crash involving the S-211 jet, the Philippine government should SCRAP the remaining S-211's once and for all. It looks like these jets are crap.

^^Meron namang Alpha jets na naka base sa Clark pero di naman pinapansin ng government yung german owner, kahit ilang beses na nya inoffer yung jets nila for PAF.

That's what I meant. And their strategy is to marry filipinos so they can own their business 100 percent.

balita ko maraming local chinese na ayaw sa mga taga-mainland na bagong salta..:lol:

Hahaha actually sabihin ko koreano ako :lol: mukha naman talaga akong chinese or korean sabi ng karamihan... basta gawin kong "L" lahat ng "R" ko sa words na sasabihin ko hahaha :lol::lol:

Bruneiskis!!!

Ako naman napagkakamalan chinese palagi...lalo na kapag pinoy....hahahhaa

Meron namang Alpha jets na naka base sa Clark pero di naman pinapansin ng government yung german owner, kahit ilang beses na nya inoffer yung jets nila for PAF.



wag na tayo magtaka mga kapatid.maraming mafia ng mga heneral dyan sa afp kaya kaya ang mga binibili ng mga kupal na heneral ng pilipinas ay mga walang kwenta,2nd hand,refurbish,ukay-ukay,bulok o kay ay over price para makapag nakaw sa kaban ng bayan ang mga taksil na yan.nagbabagsakan na at nangangamatay ang ating mga sundalo sa mga walang kwentang binibili ng mga heneral natin.marami ngang alternative na ino offer ng mga ibat-ibang super power pero mga panget pa rin ang mga binibili gaya na lang ng sf 260 napaka panget at tora-tora.ano ba yan tapos mas inuna pa ang magtayo ng museum kesa sa bumile ng mga modernong eroplano.hay naku nakaka inis ang mga corrupt na opisyal ng pilipinas.inuuna muna ang pam personal na interest kesa sa ionterest ng pilipinas.:ohno::nuts::nuts::nuts:__________________

With Japan sidelined, US sees
PH as filling security vacuum


BY JENNIE L. ILUSTRE

WASHINGTON – The United States views the Philippines as filling the vacuum in helping to maintain Asia’s security and stability as Japan copes with the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, a source said recently.

"The US views the Philippines as a long-time trusted and treaty ally, and in Japan’s weakened state, so to speak, following the March 11 disaster and its preoccupation with relief and rebuilding – sure to be long-term – the resulting vacuum will be filled by the Philippines," the source said as noted his concern over China’s increasing power in the region.

The source said the US "policy on re-engagement in the Philippines" involves stepped-up efforts with the on-going modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Coastal watch of the Philippines is the top priority," the source said, adding helicopters and watercraft purchased by the Philippines from the US need to be delivered "before the rainy season begins."

In related news, Victor Manhit, director of StratBase in Manila, wrote on April 17: "Regionally, the AFP confronts the realities of possible military conflict in the South China Sea over territorial claims around the Spratly Islands."

He added: "The territory is also claimed by a determined China and other neighboring countries. Chinese naval vessels recently confronted commercial oil and gas exploration ships in territory being explored by Forum Energy (a United Kingdom–Philippine joint venture). The capability of the AFP to protect the coastline and the skies is country’s most urgent military need. President Aquino recognizes this fact and is moving to meet the requirement."

Ernie Z. Bower, Southeast Asia senior adviser and director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in this US capital, said Manhit who wrote the piece for its newsletter.

Bower noted the Philippines military modernization was "a dual effort" to acquire modern equipment and address corruption in the military.

Manhit said President Aquino may be "the best hope for achieving these two fundamentally important objectives."

Manhit also wrote, "The ships and other watercraft for the Navy, and helicopters for the Air Force, will be deployed in Palawan and Sulu. The Philippine Army will acquire rifles, while the Navy may add more multipurpose attack craft. The Navy is also expecting a Hamilton class cutter from the US Coast Guard."

Meanwhile, Walter Lohman, director of the Asian Studies Center at the think tank Heritage Foundation based here, sees continuity in "the high priority" placed by the US on the Philippines "as an ally and a security partner."

Lohman was reacting to the news that President Barack Obama will announce on Thursday (Friday in Manila ) the nomination of Central Intelligence Agency director Leon Panetta to replace Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Gen. David Petraeus’ nomination to Panetta’s position, first reported by Malaya Business Insight on April 11.

Lohman said in an interview Wednesday, "I expect continuity on policy issues like cooperation with the Philippines on the war on terror, etc., and the high priority put on it as an ally and a security partner."

In Manila, the US embassy allayed suspicions that the recent visits of US Senators Daniel Inouye and Thad Cochran had something to do with a plan for the return of their military bases in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Subic served as a major US Navy and Marine base since after the Spanish-American War in 1898 until 1991.

Embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson said senators visited Subic last Tuesday to see for themselves on the economic progress and to ask how the US can collaborate. – With Gerard Naval

Bower noted the Philippines military modernization was "a dual effort" to acquire modern equipment and address corruption in the military.

Manhit said President Aquino may be "the best hope for achieving these two fundamentally important objectives."

Hmm, i feel like something's missing in this report. So it was the situation in Spratlys that prompted the government to embark on military upgrade and modernization. But, how exactly does spending millions for it solve the issue of corruption within the AFP? unless there were limits as to how much they could spend and transparency in the transactions put in place to deter corruption? I guess we need more clarity from PNOY as to how AFP modernization specifcally address the issue of corruption and what steps the government has taken to meet that objective.

Ayan, spear at manileno, may idea na kayo. Next time tell them your either Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean or Bruneian (or whatever you call people from Brunei :lol:)

:lol: Wala bang Indian dyan? :D i fall more under the South Asian/Middle Eastern variety of Asian kase :lol::lol:

Meron namang Alpha jets na naka base sa Clark pero di naman pinapansin ng government yung german owner, kahit ilang beses na nya inoffer yung jets nila for PAF.



wag na tayo magtaka mga kapatid.maraming mafia ng mga heneral dyan sa afp kaya kaya ang mga binibili ng mga kupal na heneral ng pilipinas ay mga walang kwenta,2nd hand,refurbish,ukay-ukay,bulok o kay ay over price para makapag nakaw sa kaban ng bayan ang mga taksil na yan.nagbabagsakan na at nangangamatay ang ating mga sundalo sa mga walang kwentang binibili ng mga heneral natin.marami ngang alternative na ino offer ng mga ibat-ibang super power pero mga panget pa rin ang mga binibili gaya na lang ng sf 260 napaka panget at tora-tora.ano ba yan tapos mas inuna pa ang magtayo ng museum kesa sa bumile ng mga modernong eroplano.hay naku nakaka inis ang mga corrupt na opisyal ng pilipinas.inuuna muna ang pam personal na interest kesa sa ionterest ng pilipinas.:ohno::nuts::nuts::nuts:__________________

to be fair sigurado ako hindi lahat ng mga heneral ay ganyan, since kung lahat sila ay hindi ginagawa ng maayos trabaho nila malamang komunista na ang Pilipinas at panalo na ang NPA.

we've been using the sf-260 ever since the 70's and 80's...it's logical to buy newer versions of it to simplify logistics.

a brand new OPV smaller than the hamilton costs around 2-3 Billion inexclusive spare parts and training...somehow the AFP needs to have something with its limited budget so a 2nd hand ship will not hurt.

http://i56.tinypic.com/wjuafr.png
-- KO-1 of the ROKAF (photo : Defense Industry Daily).


South Korea Offer KT-1 to Philippines (http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2011/04/south-korea-offer-kt-1-to-philippines.html)
29 April 2011


Air Force Chief of Staff of South Korea Bakjongheon, on April 26, visited the Headquarters of the Philippine Air Force and met with Philippine Air Force Commander Oscar H. Rabena to discuss bilateral military cooperation between the Air Forces.

Philippine Air Force General is reviewing the replacement of OV-10 reconnaissance aircraft to replaced with domestic KT (A) -1 was highly recommended.

Bakjongheong explained that Indonesia and Turkey as model has been demonstrated that the aircraft is already performing of versatile performance, as well as less expensive maintenance as required by the Philippine Air Force : has both the battlefield ability and observation.

Also, in the defense exhibition in Seoul ADEX 2011 will be held in October this year the Air Force invited the Philippine officials offered to attend.

Also, discussed the exchange of personnel and senior cadets two Air Force and increasing military cooperation between the two countries.