if the AMX can handle Sidewinder AIMS, then it's the more prudent choice for an interim ground attack/interceptor airframe, together with acquisition of either T-50 or M346 LIFT's

The AMX is not really meant for air to air, the navy is acquiring these Hamiltons to improve naval territorial defence in the air the PAF should get aircraft which are primarily for this purpose as there are enough aircraft in the PAF inventory that can attack the "ground" .

The main chink in the armour now is really defence of the airspace .

Price wise at 25 million $ a piece the Mirage 2000 cost is slightly less than the quote posted of 30 million $ per refurbished f16's while the Mirage 2000 is definetely a step up in air to air capability compared to the AMX, + the Mirage 2000 is quite compatible with Exocet anti ship missiles which i think is another task these planes should have namely to provide support and cover for the Hamiltons if ever they get harassed at sea .

HEe3xfWfkG8&feature

The AMX is not really meant for air to air, the navy is acquiring these Hamiltons to improve naval territorial defence in the air the PAF should get aircraft which are primarily for this purpose as there are enough aircraft in the PAF inventory that can attack the "ground" .

The main chink in the armour now is really defence of the airspace .

Price wise at 25 million $ a piece the Mirage 2000 cost is slightly less than the quote posted of 30 million $ per refurbished f16's while the Mirage 2000 is definetely a step up in air to air capability compared to the AMX, + the Mirage 2000 is quite compatible with Exocet anti ship missiles which i think is another task these planes should have namely to provide support and cover for the Hamiltons if ever they get harassed at sea .

HEe3xfWfkG8&feature

OO nga no..
Pag na harass ang Hamiltons wala silang kakampi sa Ere..:ohno:

is the amx or mirage 2000 has fighting chance against the commies top of the line sukhois???

Those mi26 are cumbersome for our PAFs use,..

]is the amx or mirage 2000 has fighting chance against the commies top of the line sukhois???[/B]

Those mi26 are cumbersome for our PAFs use,..


AMX NO, Mirage 2000...YES.

is the amx or mirage 2000 has fighting chance against the commies top of the line sukhois???

Those mi26 are cumbersome for our PAFs use,..

AMX will have no chance againts those Sukhois even those older SU-27 which Vietnam has but China also has Numerous ( almost like a Eurofighter but with Single Engine)

J-10 Vigorous Dragon, Just as Lethal And maybe more.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/J-10a_zhas.png/800px-J-10a_zhas.png

The Mirage 2000 and F-16 will fare better though...F-16 may be old but But with proper upgade even on A and B versions they can be a lethal weapon and a deadly enemy themselves..C version or maybe D version as well has improvised night operation Capability. Even on the twin seater version.

In red flags F15s usually play the good guys while F-16 played the bad guys.

In Australia last yrs Exercise also had F-16 played the Bad guys while the Hornets and super Hornets played the good guys.

We need those F-16s

^^^^i don't think so,..su-27/30s of the commies are already supermanoeuverable,..the mirage 2k does not even have thrust vectoring,..

^^^ it wont be just about Thrust vectoring F-16 for me is way more agile than the Sukhoi's and the C and D versions are improvised. Both F-16 and MIrage Are way beyond the AMX...and will definitely fare better against the Sukhois.

Question: Did those two (Sukhoi's and F16's) ever met in a dogfight since? If yes, which one won?

The Mirage 2000 is maneouverable aswell this is due to it's "delta wing" design which is why alot of modern and maneouverable jet's like the Eurofighter Typhoon or indeed that Chinese J-10 featured above etc still do use the design, of course the Mirage design line is now old but short of buying new super planes like the Rafale or F22 the Mirage 2000 is reasonably good for +~-25 million $ a piece ... .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_wing

Question: Did those two (Sukhoi's and F16's) ever met in a dogfight since? If yes, which one won?

Well the only recent examples i can think of are the Nato bombings of Yugoslavia a decade ago where alot of Mig 29's were downed by F16's of various nato countries but there were no thrust vector capable Sukhoi's involved .

The only possible experiences of this could be between Taiwanese Mirages, F16's and their experiences with mainland Chinese Sukhoi's but ive not read of any story regarding them .

Two Chinese fighter jets reportedly crossed into Taiwan's airspace in late June in pursuit of a United States spy plane.

Taiwan's Defence ministry said it sent two F-16 fighters to intercept the Chinese Sukhoi-27 jets near the central line across the 113-mile wide Taiwan Strait.

The ministry said it was the first time that Chinese jets have breached its airspace since 1999 and that the two Chinese jets quickly turned around. A spokesman added that he believed the incident was "an accident" and that Taiwan had been "in full control" of the situation.

A Taiwanese newspaper, the United Daily News, said the Chinese jets had been in pursuit of a US U-2 reconnaissance plane. However, both the Taiwanese Defence ministry and the Pentagon declined to confirm the report.

http://www.asian-defence.net/2011/07/two-chinese-sukhoi-27-fighter-jets.html

maneuverability-wise, mirage 2k and f16 cannot compete with the su-27, both mirage and f16s were not design to establish air superiority but as a multi-role fighter, they cannot recover an stall or perform cobra maneuver necessary to turn the tide to establish air superiority,..thrust vectoring is more responsive compared to canards, or the usual yaws and turns of wing and vertical fin elements,..the Americans however almost perfected thrust vectoring that they already use 3d-thrust vectoring (x,y,z) that it is possible to fly the plane with just the fuselage, but the small wing portion served as the bays and fuel tanks this is very prominent on the only 6th generation fighter ever designed as per boeing rendition,..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/FaxxNavy.jpg

Yeah those Boeing planes do not exist and in any case thrust vectoring is not everything weapons and pilot skills and the convergence of many other criteria's determine the outcome of modern air combat .

As i have stated new BVR or beyond visual range weapons and sensor systems have changed air combat aswell so that "dogfight's" would not actually be as common as it used to be .

I won't have any problems going up against a thrust vectored su in a mirage 2000 if i had modern sensors and iris t and meteor missiles on board because then thrust vector or not id be able to kill a su before it even knew i was there using the mach 4 meteor missile, if it somehow survives that and managed to get close enough for a dogfight then the highly maneouverable Iris T can be fired even at targets to the rear of the aircraft .

If by a tremendous amount of luck it still survived this the time it has taken to do so would mean that it's loiter time over the battlefield is now over and it would have to turn tail to get home or at least have given the mirage time to escape to fight another day .

Another reason why im quite fine with the PAF not having a large fleet of aircraft is pilot skill, this is another reason why the French for example or nato countries are able to win air engagements even using older aircraft vs more powerful aircraft by their adversaries, they tend to have more flying time and thus experience and proficiency at what they do and in the end of the day pilot skill still counts alot in the final outcome .

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the direction of the USAF is to go on a pilot-less fighters and multiroles , this 6th gen and beyond will utilize 3d (direction) thrust vectoring and can engage any battlefield conditions and does not require pilot skill which is only an option,..the UAVs are the same programs that this 6th gens are based and prototyps maybe existed but may never divulge by boeing the status of the projects,..the budget allocations for the f22 and f35 were heavily cut due to funds were channeled in the development of the USAFs 6th gen fighters spearheaded by boeing although the company failed to get the x-plane projects, they are the recipient of the 6th gen fighters under development,..

Ucav's won't be dominating the skies anytime soon for many reasons from ethical one's to combat related one's, ethical reasons and treaties on the laws of war prescribe that a human must always make the final call to pull the trigger, and if i were being attacked by Ucav's all i have to do is disrupt the command signals and they fall out of the sky current drones operate in benign battlefield environments because the western alliances are able to utterly dominate the skies .

So even as the US and EU states are now developing ucav's their manned aircraft will remain for the forseable future and i doubt ucav's will be used against more powerful adversaries anytime soon .

And don't get too carried away by "thrust vectoring" it's an old technology which does not make aircraft invincible it hasn't truelly altered modern air combat it just delivers an improvement especially for larger lumbering jet's but that's about it, non thrust vector equipped Rafales for example have scored locks on F22's during red flag etc ... .

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/12/08/rafale%20F22.jpg
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/12/08/rafale%20F22.jpg
Actual snapshots of an F22 captured from a Rafale cockpit

Photo of the brand new PAF W-3A Sokol conducting flight test over the Ft. Magsaysay air space in Nueva Ecija yesterday ...

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/PAFSokol-2.jpg

True!!! Thrust Vectoring wont mean much even is becomes a dog fight. Pilot skill will also come into play. I am of the belief the a skilled F-16 pilot can take on Those Sukhoi SU-27s. I think the term (AIR SUPERIORITY) has been overused and it has been forgotten that many new fighter and heck evenolder ones have made and improvised to be multi role....(just like the F-16 Vipers) For me a very skilled F-16 pilot can out maneuver a larger sukhoi's I would still give the smaller Agile F-16 over the larger Sukhoi's Thrust vectoring and cobra maneuvers.

The only Challenge F-16 will have will have to be the Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon.

Ucav's won't be dominating the skies anytime soon for many reasons from ethical one's to combat related one's, ethical reasons and treaties on the laws of war prescribe that a human must always make the final call to pull the trigger, and if i were being attacked by Ucav's all i have to do is disrupt the command signals and they fall out of the sky current drones operate in benign battlefield environments because the western alliances are able to utterly dominate the skies .

So even as the US and EU states are now developing ucav's their manned aircraft will remain for the forseable future and i doubt ucav's will be used against more powerful adversaries anytime soon .

And don't get too carried away by "thrust vectoring" it's an old technology which does not make aircraft invincible it hasn't truelly altered modern air combat it just delivers an improvement especially for larger lumbering jet's but that's about it, non thrust vector equipped Rafales for example have scored locks on F22's during red flag etc ... .

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/12/08/rafale%20F22.jpg
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2011/12/08/rafale%20F22.jpg
Actual snapshots of an F22 captured from a Rafale cockpit
Did these pictures mean an air intercept radar lock or a pilot's HMS lock?

take out the skills of the pilot, you're saying that the f22 will lose on the J10 due to pilot skills is irrelevant we are talking of the capability of the planes, its designs and avionics, as well as the armaments, the only survival an f16 against su-27 is through the help of the awacs, it simply cannot match the planes maneuverability,..if the pilot can perform cobra maneuver, the pilot is good,..see sample video how sukhoi lick difficult maneuvers that make the f16 or mirage stall, spin and fall off the sky, all of these with the help of canards and 1 directional thrust vectoring,..if i were to choose i rather consider the sukhois over f16s and below, supermaneuverability is synonymous to survival,..

CGbOs0vgYOA&feature=related

did you know that f22s are not designed for dogfights???sure they establish air superiority but not through old-school dogfights, they patented this technology for the f22s how to establish air superiority: FIRST LOOK, FIRST SHOT, FIRST KILL,..even with the sukhois the f22 is no match on conventional dogfights,..

True!!! Thrust Vectoring wont mean much even is becomes a dog fight. Pilot skill will also come into play. I am of the belief the a skilled F-16 pilot can take on Those Sukhoi SU-27s. I think the term (AIR SUPERIORITY) has been overused and it has been forgotten that many new fighter and heck evenolder ones have made and improvised to be multi role....(just like the F-16 Vipers) For me a very skilled F-16 pilot can out maneuver a larger sukhoi's I would still give the smaller Agile F-16 over the larger Sukhoi's Thrust vectoring and cobra maneuvers.

The only Challenge F-16 will have will have to be the Chinese J-10 Vigorous Dragon.

Of course, the f-16 is smaller and more agile the Su-27. It can out maneuver the su-27/F-15/F-18 in dog-fights. But a highly skilled Su-27 Pilot > Highly Skilled F-16 Pilot. More Fuel. More Load. More Loiter time. More Range.

The new variants of F-16 are too heavy and underpowered compared to its European counterparts. The f-16 is nowhere near the level of its European counterparts like Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale. EF is comparable if not a notch higher than F-15 but that has size of f-16. EF will beat F-16 in any given time and day. The only advantage of F-16 has is its good marketing and logistics by General Dynamics.

Chinese J-10 is a crap airplane. Nowhere near the level of F-16 e/f. They developed JF-17 , but they didn't procure it due to myriad reasons.

This was supposed to be a Philippine Defense Forces thread but it seems to have wandered way off topic now ... :doh:

BRP Antonio Luna PG-141 , the only 2 of the Aguinaldo Class locally built patrol boat returning to her homeport in Camarines Sur after it's mercy mission in earthquake hit Negros Oriental ...

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/PG-141.jpg

it's part of discussions, don't worry just post whatever you can post and let's see if it is of interest to many,..by the way the discussions are relevant to the defense since we are talking of commies having in their inventories the sukhois (su27/30) and the Philippines plan to buy a comparable fighter with top of the line capability that can counter the commies air assets at least as deterrence,..and one more those commies made planes are crap and pure mock ups during parades,..

Yes its still part of the Discussion. Since PAF is looking to hopefully acquire 2nd hand fighters and F-16s could possibly become the chosen ones.
----

Anyway balancing the cost x capability x realistic Budget then I'd stick to F-16.

Yes its still part of the Discussion. Since PAF is looking to hopefully acquire 2nd hand fighters and F-16s could possibly become the chosen ones.
----

Anyway balancing the cost x capability x realistic Budget then I'd stick to F-16.

feels like it,..

feels like it,..

Agree.

Did these pictures mean an air intercept radar lock or a pilot's HMS lock?

It is one of the Rafales passive sensor systems called the :

The OSF (Optronique secteur frontal) is a long range video system developed for the French Dassault Rafale combat aircraft.

Developed by THALES, the “Front Sector Optronics” (FSO) system is fully integrated into the aircraft. Operating in the optronic wavelengths, it is immune to radar jamming and it provides covert long-range detection and identification, high resolution multi-target angular tracking and laser range-finding for air, sea and ground targets.

With its narrow field, the visible waveband capability is truly valuable to identify targets in situations where visual contact is required by the rules of engagement.[1]

It allows target tracking, through IR (IRST) and visual sensors:

the IR detector can be used as FLIR (to send a video signal to the pilot), or to detect:
air targets at ranges up to 100 kilometers
surface or sea targets at up to 6 kilometers
the 'normal' optical sensor (TV).[2].
As can be seen, the benefits are numerous in air-air confrontation:

passive long-distance detection
target identification before engagement ...
But this sensor may also, unlike Rafale's competitor, the Eurofighter Typhoon, be used in air-to-ground and air-sea (navigation FLIR up to 6 km, target identification).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optronique_secteur_frontal


----

Modern delta/canard winged fighter designs are just as capable of performing the "cobra maneuver" thrust vectoring was really just a means of making big heavy fighters as agile as smaller delta winged jets, adding thrust vectoring to delta wing designs would be overkill and perhaps literally as extreme G forces can kill their own pilots, so in the end of the day it isn't as much a question of what the aircraft are capable of especially modern jets but what the pilots can endure, some Euro pilots especially those flying the German Typhoons have new advanced g suits that allow them to sustain 9 to 12 G's ... .

O6sZ3FugLo0&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL8A8DC587A1882735

A reporter takes a ride in a Jet and passes out several times. < lol this clown could have choked to death with his chewing gum ... .

Anyway the point is the PAF might not have alot of jet's even when it starts to acquire some but that's not a problem as long as it puts a premium on pilot quality, they should not be like some of these fatsos we see in the pnp or something they need to fit the profile and be really fit and they need to be given alot of time in the air .

Yes its still part of the Discussion. Since PAF is looking to hopefully acquire 2nd hand fighters and F-16s could possibly become the chosen ones.
----

Anyway balancing the cost x capability x realistic Budget then I'd stick to F-16.
Unfortunately I agree,
F-5 is a poorman's multi role aircraft,
and so will be our future f-16's.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/philippine-air-force-receives-four-w-3a-sokols-368609/

^^^ And F-16 is the most realistic/reasonable Fighter we can get (ATLEAST FOR NOW) anyway.
And should this rumour push through I hope AFP do the best they can in terms of the Avionics on the A and B versions.

Anyway I hope this is a start of something better for the AFP.

dapat dito pugutan din ng ulo!!! ibalato ninyo na yan sa mga tadtad at sa mga ilaga!!!


Abu blamed for beheadings falls

By AP The Philippine Star Updated February 22, 2012 12:00 AM 1 comment to this post
MANILA, Philippines - Police commandos yesterday captured an alleged Abu Sayyaf militant who has been implicated in several atrocities, including the beheadings of Marines, a major jailbreak and deadly attacks.

Police served more than a dozen arrest warrants to Ismael, who uses the nom de guerre Patah Hamjak and was found in Isabela City on Basilan island, birthplace of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group, said Paquito Ochoa Jr., who heads the Philippine Anti-Terrorism Council.

Ochoa said Ismael is accused of involvement in the 2007 beheadings of 10 Marines in Basilan’s Al-Barka town and a 2009 attack that allowed 31 mostly Muslim insurgents to escape from the provincial jail.

Those who escaped included Dan Laksaw Asnawi, a key commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who was also implicated in the 2007 beheadings.

Police have also accused Ismael of buying the police commando fatigues that were worn by Abu Sayyaf militants who fired on civilians and detonated bombs in a bold attack that killed 14 people in Isabela City two years ago.

The Abu Sayyaf is the smaller but more brutal of at least four Muslim groups that have been fighting for decades for a separate homeland in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation’s south.

It is estimated to have less than 400 fighters but is still considered a major security menace despite many battle losses and the loss of several leaders.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=67&articleid=779867

@ boom_box: South Korea signed soft loans for the Philippines for economic purposes not for military use therefore the plan to acquire 6 KAI T/A-50 jets from South Korea using soft loans is a hoax.

if the AMX can handle Sidewinder AIMS, then it's the more prudent choice for an interim ground attack/interceptor airframe, together with acquisition of either T-50 or M346 LIFT's

Yes it can carry and fire Sidewinder missiles.

did you know that f22s are not designed for dogfights???sure they establish air superiority but not through old-school dogfights, they patented this technology for the f22s how to establish air superiority: FIRST LOOK, FIRST SHOT, FIRST KILL,..even with the sukhois the f22 is no match on conventional dogfights,..

BVR technology made dog fighting a thing of the past.

A Group in Facebook about Philippine Defense Force

http://www.facebook.com/groups/352723441416668/

Whats The Realistic time Any of the F-16 will arrive?..if it indeed pushes through?...are we talking a few more yrs before even the first few units arrive?

Its pretty pointless if its like 3-4 yrs pa...because by then China will have its Aircraft carrier patrolling in the disputed area. They may put They're J-10s in use....or some MIGs or Sukhois.

Naalala ko lang ang Byzantine Empire. Sinakop sila ng mga Muslim. Halos patayin o paalisin nila ang mga Kristiyano doon na nauna namang nanirahan.

Mga Kristiyanong bansa, hindi sinusunod ang batas ng Vaticam. Secular karamihan. Ilang Muslim na ang may secular government? Karamihan Sharia na mula nung 70's. Sa Arab Spring ngayon, mga ayatollah(Islamic clerics) na ang namumuno :lol:

Sa Europa, mga immigrant na muslim dun, nagdedemand ng Sharia law. Hindi kuntento sa SECULAR law na walang kinikilalang relihiyon

Oh NO WAY. No sharia law for the Ph. And I definitely could do without our Padre Damasos either!! If you think Padre Damasos are bad enough, we'll be overrun by radicals hiding behind other Muslims. We might as well be the next Paki:mad2:

it's partly our fault too, when they try to have us in their foreign policy, the nationalist tell them "hands off". Now, we are complaigning we are neglected?

We only started complaigning about neglection when China started to assert itself more. Prior to that we were sayong "go away uncle sam":lol:

when the us were trying to invest we're shouting imperialism, abuse of filipino workers, etc..

ano ba talaga gusto mo juan?

Juan is still a child:lol:. Like a teenager who thinks he's old enough then comes crying back home to mama when the playground bully steals his toys:nuts::lol::lol::lol:

Can you say Bondying? Hahah.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/420206_308733402517016_114373295286362_800887_1624489734_n.jpg
We would like to invite everyone to visit the 2012 Kabisig Government Expo and Trade Fair near the Atrium of the SM Megamall in Pasig City. This year's theme, "Kapit bisig sa Matuwid na Daan; Gabay sa Kaunlaran" The expo will end until mall hours of February 25, 2012. The Department of National Defense has a display stall of on-going projects and activities. You can also get FREE literature reference material and ask questions from our staff. See you!
— at SM Megamall.source (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=308733402517016&set=a.177413328982358.46480.114373295286362&type=1&ref=nf)

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/395222_308709419186081_114373295286362_800816_995183036_n.jpg
The graduating PMA class of 2012 gets a personal training from Government Arsenal Director Jonathan Martir on the various standard issued rifles for the Armed Forces last February 1 to 5. Photo courtesy of Government Arsenalsource (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=308709419186081&set=a.177413328982358.46480.114373295286362&type=1&ref=nf)

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/395394_3331145158229_1256490584_3365171_727509584_n.jpg
PN ship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar PF-15 anchored inside Ulugan Bay off the west coast of Palawan after returning from it's 1st patrol duty in February ...
source (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3331145158229&set=o.114373295286362&type=1&ref=nf)

^^The Philippine Navy's newest asset, the PF15 Gregorio del Pilar.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302506_208611012529256_114373295286362_538511_6508229_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/389560_262882003768823_114373295286362_689694_1214616300_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.261628543894169.64478.114373295286362&type=3)

The newest helicopter in the inventory of the Philippine Navy - BO105 (PNH-422)
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/389560_262882007102156_114373295286362_689695_1058476371_n.jpg

The newly re-commissioned BRP Ang Pangulo (AT-25)
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/389560_262882010435489_114373295286362_689696_17096441_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.261628543894169.64478.114373295286362&type=3)

I was just reading at wikipedia about Don Walsh an American oceanographer who was the first man ever to reach the Marianas trench, when i saw this

It was reported in 2010 that Walsh visited the deep-sea submersible Jiaolong and its makers at the China Ship Scientific Research Center. The craft had "planted a Chinese flag on the bottom of the South China Sea during a two-mile-deep dive in June" as the Chinese program—which Walsh characterized as "very deliberate" -- proceeded toward its ambitious goal of going to 7,000 meters, or 4.35 miles, in 2012.

is that already reported? I was just surprised.

here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Walsh

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvI470X1YOg/TunyGvPYmAI/AAAAAAAAJZE/3GTcyKW-x3A/s320/F-16%2BFighters-713936.jpg

Indonesia is keeping its support for the Philippine proposal to delineate
and segregate the disputed parts of the South China Sea from the undisputed areas in drafting the Code of Conduct that will bind countries with territorial claims in the Spratlys group of islands.

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the guidance from the ASEAN Summits is how to link the Philippine proposal for a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Cooperation to the drafting of the Code of Conduct in 2012.

"We don't move out of the script from what has already been (agreed upon)," Natalegawa said at the conclusion on Wednesday of the 5th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines.

He said the Code and the Zone are in the interest of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which has four members — Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei — with South China Sea claims.

Leaving things unresolved will continue to cause conflict and disrupt peace and stability in the region," said Natalegawa. "Asean as a whole has a very strong interest to settle the dispute peacefully in accordance with maritime laws."

Indonesia's top diplomat said ASEAN leaders would like to see the Code in place by 2012, in time for the 10th anniversary of Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea).

During the talks, the Philippines and Indonesia approved a 2013-2015 action plan to advance trade, security, defense, border, and cultural cooperation.

The Philippines said it is open to hosting the 6th Meeting of the Joint Working Group of Senior Officials next year to implement the existing Agreement on Trade, Investments, Handicraft and Shipping, as well as review and update the Border Trade Agreement.

Indonesia to buy 24 refurbished US F-16 fighters

Will boost ability to protect "outermost" border regions

Second militarily significant announcement of Obama trip

May stir questions about Taiwan's request for F-16C/Ds

USA plans to supply 24 refurbished F-16C/D fighter aircraft to Indonesia, the presidents of the two countries announced in Bali on Friday on the fringes of an Asia-Pacific summit.

It was the second militarily significant announcement of President Barack Obama's ongoing nine-day Asia-Pacific trip.

The upgraded Lockheed Martin Corp F-16s will give Indonesia a "much-needed" capability to protect its sovereign airspace, the White House said in a "fact sheet" that emphasized the relatively low price tag, put at $750 million by the Pentagon.

Under a separate tightening of ties with Australia, U.S. Marines will start rotating through northern Australia next year, eventually growing to a 2,500-strong task force, the two governments said during a visit by Obama before he flew to neighboring Indonesia for the summit with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Jakarta was seeking more capable F-16s able to carry out operations "in the outermost border regions of Indonesia."

The air force's existing fleet of 10 F-16 A/Bs cannot do this, the agency said in a mandatory notice of the tentative deal to the U.S. Congress. It put the estimated cost at $750 million. The aircraft are from excess U.S. inventory.

"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner that has been, and continues to be, an important force for economic progress in Southeast Asia," the notice to lawmakers said.

The White House said the plan was to start deliveries by July 2014, as requested by Jakarta. The deal would help boost Indonesia air defenses significantly "without compromising the defense budget and other national priorities," it said.

The transfer of F-16C/D models to Indonesia may raise new questions about Obama's refusal to meet Taiwan's standing request for 66 new F-16C/Ds of its own to help deter China, which regards the island as a rogue province.

The Obama administration in September notified Congress of a proposed $5.85 billion weapons package for Taiwan, including upgrades of 145 F-16 A/B fighters but none of the C/D models that Taiwan has sought.

Obama said on Thursday in Canberra the U.S. military would expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific despite budget austerity, declaring the United States was "here to stay" as a Pacific power that would help shape the region's future.

The F-16 deal involves the overhaul of 28 United Technologies Corp Pratt & Whitney engines including spares. The aircraft will have the most advanced "Modular Mission Computer" produced by Raytheon Co, along with improved radar, avionics and the capability to carry and field more advanced weaponry and sensors, the White House said.

http://koreanewsonline

A Group in Facebook about Philippine Defense Force

http://www.facebook.com/groups/352723441416668/

Whats The Realistic time Any of the F-16 will arrive?..if it indeed pushes through?...are we talking a few more yrs before even the first few units arrive?

Its pretty pointless if its like 3-4 yrs pa...because by then China will have its Aircraft carrier patrolling in the disputed area. They may put They're J-10s in use....or some MIGs or Sukhois.

2016 is the planned deadline of the AFP Modernization. The 1st Chinese aircraft carrier will be a training platform for future developments.

ASEAN is the biggest threat of China, 7 out of 10 malay/indo blooded are fighter,3 out of 10 are silent, 10 out of 10 chinese are fighter but 7 out of 10 of them are naggers and cowards

ASEAN is the biggest threat of China, 7 out of 10 malay/indo blooded are fighter,3 out of 10 are silent, 10 out of 10 chinese are fighter but 7 out of 10 of them are naggers and cowards

based on study or based on your "opinion"?

based of being in china and being chinese

kaya na ba tlga bumili ang magmentena ng f16 ang pinas?lol. kumusta nmn ung mga nagugutom? pulubi?:bash: ausin muna ang ekonomiya,mga problema panloob ng bansa. there are cheaper alternatives to philippine defense forces spending. masasayang lng ang pera.:bash: dont think like were already a 1st world nation. wise spending, not panic buying by the govt or just to lavish or boast the capabilities of the govt. some people are still suffering and eating dirt(statistics show), it just shows how weak the state of the govt is, and some people.

Coast Guard gets additional utility boats


Sunday 26th of February 2012
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MANILA, Feb 26 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, February 21 received two units of seven-meter utility boats from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) boosting the capability of the PCG to monitor the coastal parts of the country, prevent intruders at bay, and generally make their presence felt to bad elements.



Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas lauded JICA for the recent turnover of utility boats that will be used by coast guard personnel in their security operations.



Roxas added that the acquisition of the new boats will help the Coast Guard effectively perform their new mandate.



The new fast boats will be used to enhance the personnel’s boat handing skills and to perform various coast guard functions such as maritime search and rescue, marine environmental protection, maritime security, maritime law enforcement, and quick response during calamities. (PCG/RJB/JEG-PIA-NCR)
http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=241330226320
post pics pls? what does it look like?

practically dapat walang nagugutom na pinoy kung dlang ginagamit ang mga mahihirap sa pamumulitika ng mga opistales ng gobyerno, napaka fertile ng lupain natin, napakasagana ng natural resources natin, napakalawak ng mga karagatan natin paano cla magugutom???dapat turuan clang "mangisda" ng gobyerno hinde pababayaan o binibigyan ng isda para may makain,..IMO, if we are threatened by other country our very existence as a sovereign nation, then buying arms to protect ourselves from these ambitious aggressors are the acceptable and the right thing to do it's nothing related to poor filipinos or their conditions,..

kaya na ba tlga bumili ang magmentena ng f16 ang pinas?lol. kumusta nmn ung mga nagugutom? pulubi?:bash: ausin muna ang ekonomiya,mga problema panloob ng bansa. there are cheaper alternatives to philippine defense forces spending. masasayang lng ang pera.:bash: dont think like were already a 1st world nation. wise spending, not panic buying by the govt or just to lavish or boast the capabilities of the govt. some people are still suffering and eating dirt(statistics show), it just shows how weak the state of the govt is, and some people.



what's your prefered jet? Although I agree with your concern of the F-16s appropriate-ness in our context, hindi ako sang-ayon sa rason na maraming nagugutom kaya dapat ayusin muna ang ekonomiya bago ang pagbili ng armas - Defense and economy are interconnected. Sabay na pina-uunlad yan.

based on study or based on your "opinion"?

Actually thanks to China's one child policy it is now a country with lots of only sons or little princelings as they are sometimes called so it is likely that alot of parents would not want their "only" child to potentially die in some conflict effectively ending their family line lol .

So i think that there is some truth in it if for no other reason that these only sons are too "precious" or spoiled to be used in a war .

what's your prefered jet? Although I agree with your concern of the F-16s appropriate-ness in our context, hindi ako sang-ayon sa rason na maraming nagugutom kaya dapat ayusin muna ang ekonomiya bago ang pagbili ng armas - Defense and economy are interconnected. Sabay na pina-uunlad yan.

Not for North Korea!

what's your prefered jet? Although I agree with your concern of the F-16s appropriate-ness in our context, hindi ako sang-ayon sa rason na maraming nagugutom kaya dapat ayusin muna ang ekonomiya bago ang pagbili ng armas - Defense and economy are interconnected. Sabay na pina-uunlad yan.

ditto.. a secure state, with a deterrent military, and having total control over natural resources and territory will also be an economically-progressive state granting that the govt. is open to foreign investment

ditto.. a secure state, with a deterrent military, and having total control over natural resources and territory will also be an economically-progressive state granting that the govt. is open to foreign investment
Didn't people ever studied endogenous economic growth way back in economics class?

^^ come on, be realistic, we don't have indigenous capital to jumpstart the economy like 1st-world countries.. we need external stimulus to encourage spillover effects inside the country..

Actually thanks to China's one child policy it is now a country with lots of only sons or little princelings as they are sometimes called so it is likely that alot of parents would not want their "only" child to potentially die in some conflict effectively ending their family line lol .

So i think that there is some truth in it if for no other reason that these only sons are too "precious" or spoiled to be used in a war .

Years back I read in the news that there are certain communist officials in China that are concerned about their one child policy and wanted to immediately reverse it based on their internal study of how it could affect China in the long term. In addition to this policy, there seems to be a disproportionate ratio between male and female which is around 10 to 1 as a result that more couples preferred males. There is in fact a looming crisis of demographic winter in China 30 to 50 years from now in that there will be more number of aged than the young. Their workforce will be dramatically reduced and will affect their economy and military.

Ironically, even Stalin reversed abortions in Russia and encouraged more birth to sustain his army. But in China, there were reports that the hardline communists are ignoring this. China is fastly developing its military, but can it sustain itself if they lack manpower in the future to replace their aging population? Only time will tell but it surely is a ticking time bomb.

Post Away Folks :)




Philippine Defense Force /Armed Forces Of The Philippines Group in Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/groups/352723441416668/

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The two sons of a communist guerilla were caught in the crossfire between government troops and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Camarines Norte on Saturday afternoon.

The children's father and a regional rebel vice-commander were also killed and another child wounded in the gun battle in an isolated area of the Bicol peninsula, said local army spokesman Major Angelo Guzman.

The other rebel casualty was identified as Rafael Llanto, alias Ka Gopi, said to be the vice commander of the Regional Guerilla Unit operating in the Bicol region.

Guzman said the firefight started around 1:30 p.m. when members of the 49th Infantry Battalion encountered more or less 15 communists in the area.

The minors were identified as siblings Richard Manzera, 7 years old, and Michael Manzera, 10. Their eldest sibling, 14-year-old Leones, was wounded.

She is now being treated at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital and is said to be on stable condition.

It has yet to be established however if she was hit by gunfire from the rebel’s side or from the government troops’.

The Philippine Army has already offered financial support for the girl’s hospitalization.

Security is tight at the hospital's private room where the patient is confined.

As of press time, the bodies of the four victims are still being transported through rough terrain to the town center by the Army and police operatives in Camarines Norte.

Recovered from the scene of the encounter is an M16 as well as an M4 rifle.

The government side did not report any casualties. The rebel group, according to reports, fled eastward after the firefight.

abscbn.news

Link to Thread 15 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=455536&page=678&highlight=philippine+defense+forces+compiled+threads) :okay:

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The two sons of a communist guerilla were caught in the crossfire between government troops and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Camarines Norte on Saturday afternoon.

The children's father and a regional rebel vice-commander were also killed and another child wounded in the gun battle in an isolated area of the Bicol peninsula, said local army spokesman Major Angelo Guzman.

The other rebel casualty was identified as Rafael Llanto, alias Ka Gopi, said to be the vice commander of the Regional Guerilla Unit operating in the Bicol region.

Guzman said the firefight started around 1:30 p.m. when members of the 49th Infantry Battalion encountered more or less 15 communists in the area.

The minors were identified as siblings Richard Manzera, 7 years old, and Michael Manzera, 10. Their eldest sibling, 14-year-old Leones, was wounded.

She is now being treated at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital and is said to be on stable condition.

It has yet to be established however if she was hit by gunfire from the rebel’s side or from the government troops’.

The Philippine Army has already offered financial support for the girl’s hospitalization.

Security is tight at the hospital's private room where the patient is confined.

As of press time, the bodies of the four victims are still being transported through rough terrain to the town center by the Army and police operatives in Camarines Norte.

Recovered from the scene of the encounter is an M16 as well as an M4 rifle.

The government side did not report any casualties. The rebel group, according to reports, fled eastward after the firefight.

abscbn.news

Child Warriors? Which until now the CPP-NPA denies!

http://phillyimc.org/files/CPP-NPA-child-soldiers.JPG

So this is what communism brings to the society. :ohno:

^^ I long for the day when these communist low life, uneducated scumbags of society will be eliminated in our archipelago. Shoot to kill order or live game bates if I have my way.

^^ Speaking of the communists, totoo kaya yung balita na Joma Sison is back in the country?

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/23767-military-verifying-reports-on-joma-being-coddled-by-politicians-in-iloilo

^^ Speaking of the communists, totoo kaya yung balita na Joma Sison is back in the country?

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/23767-military-verifying-reports-on-joma-being-coddled-by-politicians-in-iloilo

yeh I heard that too....Did the Government allow him to return?...tsk tsk unwise move I say.

^^ Rumors say he arrived via Clark last Jan 20 under the alias Renato Malaya.

If this is indeed true, the AFP should immediately dispatch a hit squad to finish him once and for all.

what is the govt doing with these cpp-npa, there wasting there time. all they do is dirty stuff. rev. taxes etc..playing the bad boys of the hills. if the govt let them grow, it will be an epidemic, soon it will be an MILF kind of situation. (we own this land , we fought for it) ! now noynoy is becoming pro rebel, were losing land. this is an ugly sign..what did the military do in recent clash in cam norte?
the prob is the govt is giving them amnesty, they dont understand..and just use it to their advantage. for ex. giving aid to rebels..what has become the outcome?only we've been off limits to their so ("called land".)::lol:
noynoy is soft..:bash:
its already an epidemic..as a citizen of the philippines, who told you to have your own laws in society ? low logic for low lifes..wannabees lol.

^^ Rumors say he arrived via Clark last Jan 20 under the alias Renato Malaya.

If this is indeed true, the AFP should immediately dispatch a hit squad to finish him once and for all.

This is a weak resolve in leadership. Aquino should have kept a close eye on this development..epic fail!.

The CPP is nowhere near to true communism and socialism. It's just as corrupt as the system that it wishes to replace.

Military verifying reports on Joma being coddled by politicians in Iloilo
SUNDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2012 19:08 ZAFF SOL
http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/23767-military-verifying-reports-on-joma-being-coddled-by-politicians-in-iloilo

The CPP is nowhere near to true communism and socialism. It's just as corrupt as the system that it wishes to replace.
This is the true face of communism-- complete disregard on the dignity of the human being!

^^ Speaking of the communists, totoo kaya yung balita na Joma Sison is back in the country?

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/23767-military-verifying-reports-on-joma-being-coddled-by-politicians-in-iloilo

This is crazy they are hunting down Palparan for a murder of two communist from UP while they let this moron back who purged and murdered thousands of his own men:ohno::bash:

This is the true face of communism-- complete disregard on the dignity of the human being!

You can say that because of the many regimes that claim to be communist, but are in reality far from it. Communism and Socialism is a perfect system that is however hard to implement.

You can say that because of the many regimes that claim to be communist, but are in reality far from it. Communism and Socialism is a perfect system that is however hard to implement.
There is no such thing as perfect system. Communism, whether it is soft or hardcore and eveything in between is a utopian idea that can never be a reality. How's the European socialism working? It has bankrupted the EU. Communism is an atheistic idea that has resulted in the murder of millions of people throughout history.

Anyways, I have more to say but let's get back to topic.

From AFP group page
http://www.facebook.com/groups/352723441416668/
http://home.eblcom.ch/f5enthusiast/Pictures/Philippines/BD1Commander.jpg

^^ Speaking of the communists, totoo kaya yung balita na Joma Sison is back in the country?

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/23767-military-verifying-reports-on-joma-being-coddled-by-politicians-in-iloiloexcerpt from that article and a bit of history ...

Sison, who is also the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the negotiating group of the CPP and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA), sought political asylum in the Netherlands after his release from prison shortly after the late President Corazon Aquino assumed power in 1986

So how can anyone seriously expect the great PNoy to hunt down Joma Sison when it was his mother in her infinite wisdom who released Sison in the first place (+Nur Misuari to boot)??? :bash: :bash: :bash:
and dont get me started with the suspected communist leanings of both mom and dad, plus the Japanese collaborator record of grandpa... golly, how odious.

excerpt from that article and a bit of history ...

Sison, who is also the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the negotiating group of the CPP and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA), sought political asylum in the Netherlands after his release from prison shortly after the late President Corazon Aquino assumed power in 1986

So how can anyone seriously expect the great PNoy to hunt down Joma Sison when it was his mother in her infinite wisdom who released Sison in the first place (+Nur Misuari to boot)??? :bash: :bash: :bash:
and dont get me started with the suspected communist leanings of both mom and dad, plus the Japanese collaborator record of grandpa... golly, how odious.

US did think that his mother was soft (and naive) regarding the Commie problem back in the '80s after she assumed office.

excerpt from that article and a bit of history ...

Sison, who is also the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the negotiating group of the CPP and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA), sought political asylum in the Netherlands after his release from prison shortly after the late President Corazon Aquino assumed power in 1986

So how can anyone seriously expect the great PNoy to hunt down Joma Sison when it was his mother in her infinite wisdom who released Sison in the first place (+Nur Misuari to boot)??? :bash: :bash: :bash:
and dont get me started with the suspected communist leanings of both mom and dad, plus the Japanese collaborator record of grandpa... golly, how odious.

A family of heroes. God help us!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6773499226_658f199109_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/94089980@N00/6773499226/)
BRP Antonio Luna PG-141 - Returning to her homeport in Camarines Sur after the mercy mission in Negros Oriental... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/94089980@N00/6773499226/) by ManilaBoy45 (http://www.flickr.com/people/94089980@N00/), on Flickr

Hi.. just wanna share these old photos of Philippine Constabulary Class 1983 (with my father on the pics). :)

PC-Scout Rangers ARMM

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/422382_257204751027569_100002141380484_594142_1936677565_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/424140_257205491027495_100002141380484_594143_548204225_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/430761_257204521027592_100002141380484_594141_475066157_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/417630_257206011027443_100002141380484_594145_1834021567_n.jpg

^^ Thanks for the photos...retrong retro, PC days.

ang mga panahong iyan (70's 80s) eh makikita mong mga disiplinado ang mga sundalo at saka meron din silang mga prinsipyo, ngayon eh kukunti na lang.....wew....

How's the European socialism working? It has bankrupted the EU.

Yeah i don't think you know what your talking about here your so far off the mark, the EU is not bankrupt and it is a "banking crisis" which started in the US and btw isn't over or a crisis of "capitalism" if ever there was a definition of one .

Communism is an atheistic idea that has resulted in the murder of millions of people throughout history.

There has never been a communist country as that would be an oxymoron in terms and it has not resulted in the murder of millions since as a theory it does not advocate for such things and neither do atheists so again wildly off the mark .

----

The NPA is simply a local bandit club that people join because they have nothing better to do in life but it is not to say that they may not have a point on certain realities of life in the country even if the means by which they go about solving it is highly misguided, the solution is the same as in Mindanao economic and infrastructural development and better social policies to close the massive gap in the country between rich and poor and tackle a very real culture of corruption .

----


http://cmsimg.defensenews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=M5&Date=20120227&Category=DEFREG02&ArtNo=302270007&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Alenia-Warns-U-S-Over-C-27J-Sales
http://cmsimg.defensenews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=M5&Date=20120227&Category=DEFREG02&ArtNo=302270007&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Alenia-Warns-U-S-Over-C-27J-Sales

SINGAPORE — In what analysts see as an unprecedented move, Alenia Aermacchi, the Italian maker of the C-27J, is warning the U.S. government that it will refuse to support the aircraft it sold to the United States if the U.S. resells them to other nations.

The move caught some U.S. officials by surprise and threatens to undermine American efforts to resell the planes on the international market, most likely to Australia, Canada or Taiwan.

Giuseppi Giordo, CEO of Alenia Aermacchi, explained his position in an interview at the Singapore Air Show here, before continuing on for meetings in Australia.

“Obviously, we don’t like the [U.S.] decision,” he said. “However, we respect it and we will try to mitigate any negative impacts from the cancellation of the C-27J.”

Giordo explained that the company would continue to support efforts to sell new C-27Js through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, but would exercise its contractual rights not to support the aircraft originally sold to the U.S. if those planes were resold on the international market, essentially competing with Giordo’s company.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120227/DEFREG02/302270007/Alenia-Warns-U-S-Over-C-27J-Sales

http://www.dintel-gid.com.ar/Articulos/transporte/parte2/Cuadro_II.jpg
http://www.dintel-gid.com.ar/Articulos/transporte/parte2/Cuadro_II.jpg



An interesting article and perhaps there can be a potential angle here which the PAF can make deals with for some of these planes ... .

Insight: Conflict looms in South China Sea oil rush

ReutersBy Randy Fabi and Manuel Mogato | Reuters – 9 hours ago

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (Reuters) - When Lieutenant-General Juancho Sabban received an urgent phone call from an oil company saying two Chinese vessels were threatening to ram their survey ship, the Philippine commander's message was clear: don't move, we will come to the rescue.

Within hours, a Philippine surveillance plane, patrol ships and light attack aircraft arrived in the disputed area of Reed Bank in the South China Sea. By then the Chinese boats had left after chasing away the survey ship, Veritas Voyager, hired by U.K.-based Forum Energy Plc.

But the tension had become so great Forum Energy chief Ray Apostol wanted to halt two months of work in the area.

"They were so close to finishing their work. I told them to stay and finish the job," Sabban, who heads the Western Command of the Philippine Armed Forces, told Reuters at his headquarters in Puerto Princesa on Palawan island.

Over the next few days, President Benigno Aquino would call an emergency cabinet meeting, file a formal protest with China, and send his defense secretary and armed forces chief to the Western Command in a show of strength.

The March 2011 incident is considered a turning point for the Aquino administration. The president hardened his stance on sovereignty rights, sought closer ties with Washington and has quickened efforts to modernize its military.

A year later, Forum Energy is planning to return. Top company executives told Reuters the company intends to sail to Reed Bank within months to drill the area's first well for oil and natural gas in decades, an event that could spark a military crisis for Aquino if China responds more aggressively.

The U.S. military has also signalled its return to the area, with war games scheduled in March with the Philippine navy near Reed Bank that China is bound to view as provocative.

"This will be a litmus test of where China stands on the South China Sea issue," said Ian Storey, a fellow at the Singapore Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. "They could adopt the same tactics as they did last year and harass the drilling vessels, or they might even take a stronger line against them and send in warships."

A decades-old territorial squabble over the South China Sea is entering a new and more contentious chapter, as claimant nations search deeper into disputed waters for energy supplies while building up their navies and military alliances with other nations, particularly with the United States.

Reed Bank, claimed by both China and the Philippines, is just one of several possible flashpoints in the South China Sea that could force Washington to intervene in defense of its Southeast Asian allies.

OBAMA PIVOT

President Barack Obama has sought to reassure regional allies that Washington would serve as a counterbalance to a newly assertive China, part of his campaign to "pivot" U.S. foreign policy more intensely on Asia after a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obama brought up the South China Sea at an Asia-Pacific summit in Bali last November, and had a surprise one-one-one with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the subject, although Beijing had insisted the issue should not be on the agenda at all.

"As Southeast Asian nations run to the U.S. for assistance, Beijing increasingly fears that America aims to encircle China militarily and diplomatically," said Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, Northeast Asia Director for the International Crisis Group. "Underlying all of these concerns is the potential that discoveries of oil and natural gas beneath the disputed sections of the South China Sea could fuel conflict."

The area is thought to hold vast untapped reserves of oil and natural gas that could potentially place China, the Philippines, Vietnam and other claimant nations alongside the likes of Saudi Arabia, Russia and Qatar.

Manila is beefing up its tiny and outdated naval fleet and military bases, adding at least two Hamilton-class cutters this year and earmarking millions of dollars to expand its Ulugan Bay naval base in Palawan.

It's no match for China's fleet, the largest in Asia, which boasts 62 submarines, 13 destroyers and 65 frigates, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

China last month launched the fourth of its new 071 amphibious landing ships that are designed to quickly insert troops to trouble spots, disputed islands, for example.

The U.S. Navy has announced it will deploy its own new amphibious assault vessels, the Littoral Combat Ships, to the "maritime crossroads" of the Asia-Pacific theater, stationing them in Singapore and perhaps the Philippines.

Washington's renewed presence in the Philippines, a former U.S. colony that voted to remove American naval and air bases 20 years ago, follows the U.S. announcement last year of plans to set up a Marine base in northern Australia and possibly station warships in Singapore.

Manila is talking about giving Washington more access to its ports and airfields to re-fuel and service U.S. warships and planes. The two countries will conduct war games off Palawan island in late March -- focusing on how to deal with a takeover of an oil rig in the South China Sea.

'SOUNDS OF CANNONS'

China has warned oil companies not to explore in the disputed South China Sea, over which Beijing says it has "indisputable sovereignty." Chinese ships have repeatedly harassed vessels that have tried.

After ExxonMobil discovered hydrocarbons off the coast of Danang in central Vietnam, an area also claimed by China, one of China's most popular newspapers warned in October that nations involved in territorial disputes should "mentally prepare for the sounds of cannons" if they remain at loggerheads with Beijing.

Despite the threats, the Philippines and Vietnam have continued to explore for oil and natural gas further offshore in the South China waters, driven by persistently high oil prices and more advanced deep-sea technology.

The Philippines has reported as many as 12 incidents of Chinese vessels intruding into its sovereign waters in the past year, an unusually high number, Sabban said.

In one of the most serious incidents last October, a Philippine navy ship seized Chinese fishing boats after colliding with one of them, prompting protests from China for their return.

At least 12 Chinese fishermen have been arrested over the past year. Half of them remain in detention in Palawan.

"China has no right to tell us that we should first ask for permission from them to explore the area," Sabban said. "We have explored that area back in the 1970s, so why can't we explore it now? We knew that there is a substantial deposit of natural gas even before all of these things started."

Manila says Reed Bank, about 80 nautical miles west of Palawan island at the southwestern end of the Philippine archipelago, is within the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Beijing, however, believes it is part of the Spratlys, a group of 250 uninhabitable islets spread over 165,000 square miles, claimed entirely by China, Taiwan and Vietnam and in part by Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.

While China prefers to solve the disputes one-on-one with its smaller Southeast Asian neighbor, Washington has sought to internationalize the issue, given that half the world's merchant fleet tonnage sails across the sea and around these islets each year, carrying $5 trillion worth of trade.

"If we don't develop our positions in our exclusive economic zone, then we will only be giving it away and will be at the losing end," Eugenio Bito-Onon, the mayor of Kalayaan islands in the Spratlys, told Reuters at a coffee shop in Puerto Princesa.

China's oil exploration has been limited in the South China Sea with less than 15 deep sea wells drilled so far. Chinese offshore oil and gas specialist CNOOC Ltd, along with international partners Canada's Husky Energy and U.S. company Chevron Corp., plan to step up exploration in the area but focus mainly in the north, staying away from the politically sensitive waters to the south.

Estimates for proven and undiscovered oil reserves in the South China Sea range from 28 billion to as high as 213 billion barrels of oil, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said in a March 2008 report. That would be equivalent to more than 60 years of current Chinese demand, under the most optimistic outlook, and surpass every country's proven oil reserves except Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, according to the BP Statistical Review.

OIL MANDATE

General Sabban said the necessary patrol ships and surveillance planes will be provided to protect Forum Energy's exploration vessels in Reed Bank.

"We have a mandate to protect all oil companies exploring in our territory," he said. "We don't exactly escort them, but we are in the area to deter any outside force from harassing them."

Forum Energy, whose majority shareholder is the Philippines' top miner Philex Mining Corp., plans to spend around $80 million through 2013 to explore the Sampaguita gas field in Reed Bank, covered by Service Contract 72.

The field is estimated to hold at least 3.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, with the potential for five times that amount. That is at least 25 percent bigger than the nearby Malampaya gas field, operated by Royal Dutch Shell, which fuels half of the power needs for the country's main island of Luzon.

The Philippines is eager to further increase its natural gas production to meet growing domestic demand for gas-fired power, which is estimated to surge to 5,000 megawatts per day in 2016, from the current 2,700 megawatts.

"There is no question that there is gas there. We already know one or two locations we would like to drill on," said Apostol, Forum Energy's president, in an interview. "If the first drill is a bonanza, there might be a need to drill back to back."

The company said it is closely coordinating its Reed Bank plans with the military and the energy department, hoping to send drill ships by the fourth quarter.

"We are aware of the implementation risks that have to be taken into account when we contract the drilling services," said Forum Energy's executive director Carlo Pablo. "We have to have plans in case of delays in operations, on mitigating cost overruns, and contractual penalties that may be imposed."

A flotilla of ships could soon follow Forum Energy in disputed waters, with Manila later this year awarding two offshore oil and gas exploration contracts in territory also claimed by China.

That could well keep the phones busy for Sabban and his sailors at Western Command for some time to come.

(Reporting by Randy Fabi in Puerto Princesa and Manuel Mogato in Manila; Editing by Bill Tarrant)


http://ph.news.yahoo.com/insight-conflict-looms-south-china-sea-oil-rush-020822985.html

^^ China's population problem will be the cause of its economic demise in the long term. They might suffer the same fate as the USSR. The 'One Child Policy' was already a 'self-destruct' mechanism China chose to trigger and now the time is ticking before it enters a crisis and lose its dominance.

Plus their arrogance and complete lack of maturity in dealing with the issue will further alienate Asian states and they will end up running to the United States to counter-balance China. They're only helping the U.S gain diplomatic leverage against them and even the space to contain them.

I believe in hegemonic peace, the United States was the one who tried to police the world and achieve what we call 'negative peace' although this is only partial.

^^ China's population problem will be the cause of its economic demise in the long term. They might suffer the same fate as the USSR. The 'One Child Policy' was already a 'self-destruct' mechanism China chose to trigger and now the time is ticking before it enters a crisis and lose its dominance.

Plus their arrogance and complete lack of maturity in dealing with the issue will further alienate Asian states and they will end up running to the United States to counter-balance China. They're only helping the U.S gain diplomatic leverage against them and even the space to contain them.

I believe in hegemonic peace, the United States was the one who tried to police the world and achieve what we call 'negative peace' although this is only partial.

I hope the Chinese Spring will come soon... in future years.

^^ LOL! I don't understand what they were referring to 'Spring' in the comments section. Does that mean anything? I need to be enlightened please. :)

"Spring" was first used roughly in the times of the Prague Spring or even the earlier Hungarian Spring, both political uprisings by the then Czechoslovakia and Hungary against the Communist puppet regimes set up the the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Both "Springs" were subsequently crushed by Soviet aka Russian tanks. "Spring" refers to a democratic renewal, a renaissance, or a new awakening from the hibernation of "Winter", or the communist dictatorships. Later on, Spring was used when the Arabs in their turn rose up against the tyranny of their own local dictatorships. It's just a euphemism, that's all...

^^ Oh. Wait, if that happens to China. It's the end of the communist world. Well, Vietnam is there so I guess not. It should show the failure of ideologies to really bring in positive peace and true sense of equality which has always been the gospels of communists.

But yeah, that was one sign that the Chinese are not happy with the ruling government. It may not be long enough when these desire becomes more and more evident. censorship does not work well with nation that is economically developing.

Still, China's economy will falter in the future and its military influence will diminish with it as well. They 'self-destruct' themselves long before and soon they will have to face the consequences of such acts.

That is why, we must continue to modernize our forces and after building capability start expanding its manpower. I will be glad to have a system of compulsory military service for every youth before graduating. :D And find diplomatic leverage against China's aggressive actions in the Spratly's.

Hi.. just wanna share these old photos of Philippine Constabulary Class 1983 (with my father on the pics). :)

PC-Scout Rangers ARMM

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/422382_257204751027569_100002141380484_594142_1936677565_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/424140_257205491027495_100002141380484_594143_548204225_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/430761_257204521027592_100002141380484_594141_475066157_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/417630_257206011027443_100002141380484_594145_1834021567_n.jpg

^^ Nice :okay:

China is not "communist" never was as communism for one thing precludes the existence of individual countries .

Communism is actually a very noble and good societal model but one which is so advanced for the current human level of societal and technological development, whenever we see an advanced culture in science fiction for example advanced alien races or something like "star trek" that's a closer vision of communism than anything weve seen implemented on earth thusfar .

Communism is a system which is also based on democracy but was given a bad name by US propaganda which has the most efficient propaganda services in the world in fact they invented it and was so good at it both Nazi Germany and the USSR copied and learned from them, and the word was also stained by the dictatorships that were associated with the word communism wheter it was Stalins USSR to Mao's China or all these other dictatorships who often do not actually refer to themselves as "communists" either .

I point these things out because i know quite well that in the Phillippines society at large is quite naive almost about wider global history and has often a very simplified US centric propaganda based worldview, is it important to point such things out probably not as far as Phillippine society at large is concerned which probably couldn't care less but sometimes it doesn't hurt to burst part of the bubble .

It is an extensive topic so ill end here before i get too ot ... .

----

China, Philippines argue over planned oil search
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=782378&publicationSubCategoryId=200

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario says the Philippines has the right to invite companies to explore for oil and gas in waters near the South China Sea, dismissing China's claim to the area.

The fresh spat between China and the Philippines erupted after Filipino energy officials said they have invited foreign companies to invest in fuel explorations in two offshore areas northwest of Palawan province that fall within the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in Beijing Tuesday that the offshore areas were China's and any unauthorized foreign oil and gas search there would be "illegal."

Del Rosario insisted Wednesday the Philippines has sovereignty over the two areas based on international law.

China is not "communist" never was as communism for one thing precludes the existence of individual countries .

Communism is actually a very noble and good societal model but one which is so advanced for the current human level of societal and technological development, whenever we see an advanced culture in science fiction for example advanced alien races or something like "star trek" that's a closer vision of communism than anything weve seen implemented on earth thusfar .

Communism is a system which is also based on democracy but was given a bad name by US propaganda which has the most efficient propaganda services in the world in fact they invented it and was so good at it both Nazi Germany and the USSR copied and learned from them, and the word was also stained by the dictatorships that were associated with the word communism wheter it was Stalins USSR to Mao's China or all these other dictatorships who often do not actually refer to themselves as "communists" either .

I point these things out because i know quite well that in the Phillippines society at large is quite naive almost about wider global history and has often a very simplified US centric propaganda based worldview, is it important to point such things out probably not as far as Phillippine society at large is concerned which probably couldn't care less but sometimes it doesn't hurt to burst part of the bubble .

It is an extensive topic so ill end here before i get too ot ... .

----

Yeah, yeah, yeah! No matter how you slice it, it's still a "model". Everything in the mind will appear "desirable". It's when you try to apply those models that you will realize, it's not gonna work. I'm sorry but history has provided us with so many concrete types of "systems" (not borne out of imagination), and communism as you mentioned was included and found worse than the other systems, IMO.

"Star Trek'? A model of communism? Please enlighten us how it is so?

communism

Communism was never applied anywhere on earth

"Star Trek'? A model of communism? Please enlighten us how it is so?

The high level of societal development which is expressed through it's enlightened principles including democracy which is part of communistic ideals, it's internationalism the lack of borders whitin the federation and the high level of technological advancement which has allowed for an era of abundance ( replicator etc ) has made capitalism and currencies obsolete in that fictional universe ... .

These are similar principles to communism which calls for a borderless nationless earth and the end of a capitalist model which can only come once a high level of technological development has been reached to usher an age of abundance, an age which will logically require a reorganisation of how society works including concepts such as ownership etc .

Indeed today the EU for example is making great strides in creating a new system of international governance and is engaging in fusion research both with the iter and hyper fusion research projects, artificial meat production research is in it's infancy and should be available commercially in the next decade, other modern technology such as bio and food printers are also now available it is only a matter of time before these technologies create a synergy that leads to an era of abundance .

Fusion power offers abundant and cheap sources of power artificial meat production offers abundant food supplies and automation erases the need for labour, in such a world where a single person can with a touch of a button run an entire continent or even planets agricultural and industrial production needs there is no way that capitalism can continue and inevitably a new more commustic society will have to emerge, just as Marx explained with the stages of societal development from capitalism to socialism and ultimately communism ... .

^^ So it's like the current capitalist world is just a preparation for a future 'socialist' world? As far as I know, we have to be rich and prosperous enough to make socialism and communism succeed in the society. There's no equal sharing of wealth unless a country is just as rich enough to be able to do so.

With regards capitalism to communism think about when something is abundant it is cheap or becomes cheap what happens when you have an abundance of energy and food ?, what would also happen when you have abundant automation of production ? .

Another question is who will work and what kinds of jobs can they do when production is automated and when everything will be dirt cheap thanks to abundance ?, so you end up in a world where perhaps one guy can sit behind a desk and press buttons taking care of the entire worlds industrial and other production needs, in the mean time what would the other 7 billion do when by simply working an hour they can afford a home a car and enough food to last a lifetime ? .

The only way a capitalist system can be maintained in the end would be to artificially create or maintain scarcity and poverty the question is would people agree to such a masochistic system ?, but ok this is probably a century away from being a possibility right now parts of the world are sort of half way there at best .

Anyway i doubt the NPA is anywhere near as philosophical as this at most they probably talk about inequality in society and in this they do have a point it is a very real problem in our society which leads to crime and all sorts of insurgencies, but for the most part i think that the NPA is misguided and pointless in their armed struggle as are other groups, the best way is for society to demand more from their system of governance to be truelly democratic by the people for the people .

Well, anybody can dream! It's best done while asleep, IMO.

It is a reality in parts of the world today there are places with very high rates of equality, social justice and living standards where people can pretty much get the homes cars and trinketts they desire and enjoy good healthcare, places where poverty is actually a lifestyle "choice" .

Anyway were getting a bit off topic even if social issues are relvant as causes of insurgencies and other internal security threats like criminality, im willing to continue this in other more appropriate threads if someone is interested to further debate it .

----

Anyway speaking of automation this could be a good idea in the Spratleys, small remote controlled fast attack craft

JmzjGEVnky0&feature

^^ I agree. To be able to successfully put in place equality and true peace then the world itself must raise it's living standards for all people so that when all are enjoying abundance and prosperity, a concept of social equality can be put in place and be successful. ;)

US commander: China friction ebbing

AFP NewsBy Shaun Tandon | AFP News – 15 hours ago

A top US commander said Tuesday that China has been entering fewer confrontations with its neighbors as he credited a firm line by Washington and its allies with changing Beijing's thinking.

President Barack Obama's administration has put a growing focus on Asia, stepping up trade ties and moving to maintain the strength of US forces in the region despite overall cuts to the military budget.

But Admiral Robert Willard, the outgoing head of the US Pacific Command which covers Asia, offered conciliatory words toward China in an appearance before Congress, saying that Beijing's rise was in the US interest.

"We've seen fewer confrontations in 2012 than we did in previous years. 2010 was quite landmark in terms of the confrontations" in the South China Sea, Willard told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Willard said that China -- whose military spending has been sharply rising in recent years -- was still actively staking claims and challenging vessels that conduct operations in the hotly disputed waters.

But he said that "very strong statements" by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former defense secretary Robert Gates and members of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations likely made an impression on China.

The public comments "I think took China aback and has caused them to reconsider that particular approach to their South China Sea claims," Willard said.

"They are endeavoring to continue to pursue it, but in a more thoughtful manner," Willard said in response to a question from the Senate committee.

Clinton, during a visit to Vietnam in July 2010, declared that the United States had an active interest in "freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea, where six nations hold competing and often overlapping claims.

The United States has also stepped up cooperation with Vietnam and the Philippines, which had both accused China of harassing their ships at sea, and plans to station troops in Australia.

The Obama administration has also stepped up pressure on trade, on Tuesday setting up a new agency to crack down on what the United States sees as unfair practices.

China has accused the United States of interference. Last month, Chinese state-controlled media said Beijing should impose sanctions on the Philippines over its offer to allow more US troops on its soil.

Some conservative critics of Obama have accused him of encouraging bellicose actions by China by putting too much focus on cooperation with the rising Asian power at the start of his term.

Mitt Romney, a Republican candidate hoping to challenge Obama in US elections in November, has said that Obama was a "near supplicant" to Beijing who has "only encouraged Chinese assertiveness and made allies question our staying power in East Asia."

Asked about China's rise, Willard told senators that Southeast Asian nations, despite their disputes with Beijing, wanted strong economic and other relations both with China and the United States.

"China's economic growth has benefited the entire region and has certainly benefited the United States and our economic ties to China. So I think it would be unfair to imply that China's influence in Southeast Asia should only be regarded from the standpoint of the challenge that it poses," Willard said.

Willard said that the US presence in the South China Sea was vital as some $5.3 trillion in trade flow through the region each year, around one-fifth of it in US commerce.

"The US military must be present there to ensure the security of those sea lines of communication and that important economic commerce for the United States and for our regional allies and partners," Willard said.


http://ph.news.yahoo.com/us-commander-china-friction-ebbing-184159970.html

A top US commander said Tuesday that China has been entering fewer confrontations with its neighbors as he credited a firm line by Washington and its allies with changing Beijing's thinking.

Lol obviously, the Chinese were the proverbial mouse that went out to play while the cat was away now that the top cat is back eh di balik na din sila sa lunga nila ... .

For all the bravado they know that they are hopelessly outclassed by the combined allied forces of the US in the region and they probably saw how their bullying made countries like Vietnam and the Phillippines start to rearm, which is obviously counter productive for them strategically as it alters the balance of power further in their disfavour .

China should return to it's stated goals of peaceful rise in the region even if those claims must now be taken with a grain of salt after their conduct these past few years .

Child Warriors? Which until now the CPP-NPA denies!

http://phillyimc.org/files/CPP-NPA-child-soldiers.JPG

So this is what communism brings to the society. :ohno:

Where is not Bayan, Bayan Muna, etc cricitizing this?

Oops, NPA din pala mga yan :lol:

There is no such thing as perfect system. Communism, whether it is soft or hardcore and eveything in between is a utopian idea that can never be a reality. How's the European socialism working? It has bankrupted the EU. Communism is an atheistic idea that has resulted in the murder of millions of people throughout history.

Anyways, I have more to say but let's get back to topic.


Socialism can't work with a decline birthrate..unless they let all people over age 65 work and never retire.

excerpt from that article and a bit of history ...

Sison, who is also the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the negotiating group of the CPP and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA), sought political asylum in the Netherlands after his release from prison shortly after the late President Corazon Aquino assumed power in 1986

So how can anyone seriously expect the great PNoy to hunt down Joma Sison when it was his mother in her infinite wisdom who released Sison in the first place (+Nur Misuari to boot)??? :bash: :bash: :bash:
and dont get me started with the suspected communist leanings of both mom and dad, plus the Japanese collaborator record of grandpa... golly, how odious.

Nicely said! These family pretending to be pro-people have worked with "people" against the common people.

Hacienta Luisita, remember?

^^ China's population problem will be the cause of its economic demise in the long term. They might suffer the same fate as the USSR. The 'One Child Policy' was already a 'self-destruct' mechanism China chose to trigger and now the time is ticking before it enters a crisis and lose its dominance.

Plus their arrogance and complete lack of maturity in dealing with the issue will further alienate Asian states and they will end up running to the United States to counter-balance China. They're only helping the U.S gain diplomatic leverage against them and even the space to contain them.

I believe in hegemonic peace, the United States was the one who tried to police the world and achieve what we call 'negative peace' although this is only partial.

You are right with the population. They might have the biggest at the moment but their one-child policy will have an effect in the future.

Now, just think of the US and the EU. Ironically, these countries enjoyed being well off during the "population boom". The US enjoyed its peak prosperity when many people were paying taxes. Now those people are retiring and living on "stipends"

I do not mean to crush the pro-contraception, but we should consider this.

India, a country that is economically booming has lots of young professionals.

the root word for communism is communal, community oriented.

Let's give credit to Arvor. However, the WORD communism was highly hijacked by Marx, Stalin, Mao and Lennin.

To put things in concept, only ancient, "non sophisticated" small societies can fully apply the "real" communism, pretty much like the Athenian democracy (minus the slaves though) where citizens can vote if Athens is going to war or not unlike many "democracies" nowadays where only elected people can vote.

I think the appropriate terms are Maoism, Marxism, Lenninism, Sisonism (LOL, NPA)

Philippines to defy China and expand oil search

AFP NewsAFP News – 7 hours ago

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-defy-china-expand-oil-search-170931783.html

Communism as an socio-economic ideology is dead. Communism is China is more of totalitarianism and nothing about the very essence of what Marxism (sociological/economic paradigm)is all about.

Economically, China is a capitalist country masquerading as communist. The presence of free market, free enterprise and uncontrolled accumulation of wealth in China now is an anti-thesis of true Communism/socialism.


CPP/NDF/NPA should just join the mainstream and fight the so-called oppressions in our society (which they are partly true) through legal means.

Instead of stupidly destroying the same country that they say they care for.They are no different from those lazy and greedy bandits, terrorists, moronic politicians and officials in government destroying our country.

Lol obviously, the Chinese were the proverbial mouse that went out to play while the cat was away now that the top cat is back eh di balik na din sila sa lunga nila ... .

For all the bravado they know that they are hopelessly outclassed by the combined allied forces of the US in the region and they probably saw how their bullying made countries like Vietnam and the Phillippines start to rearm, which is obviously counter productive for them strategically as it alters the balance of power further in their disfavour .

China should return to it's stated goals of peaceful rise in the region even if those claims must now be taken with a grain of salt after their conduct these past few years .

So its all empty bravado after all. Maybe they thought its neigbors will easily concede just because they are a rising super power

Their export depended economy is at risk if they attack any countries today.

So its all empty bravado after all. Maybe they thought its neigbors will easily concede just because they are a rising super power

Their export depended economy is at risk if they attack any countries today.

Empty bravado because we're back to our favorite sugardaddy. This is becoming a "my dad is bigger than your dad" playground.:lol:

the root word for communism is communal, community oriented.

Let's give credit to Arvor. However, the WORD communism was highly hijacked by Marx, Stalin, Mao and Lennin.

To put things in concept, only ancient, "non sophisticated" small societies can fully apply the "real" communism, pretty much like the Athenian democracy (minus the slaves though) where citizens can vote if Athens is going to war or not unlike many "democracies" nowadays where only elected people can vote.

I think the appropriate terms are Maoism, Marxism, Lenninism, Sisonism (LOL, NPA)

SISONISM? Hahahaha! LOL!

Karl Marx WAS NOT a MARXIST. His work was just a critique about the existing capitalist system in his era. Capitalism started with the Industrial Revolution of 1900's in England.

And yes, communism cannot be applied in the sophisticated modern world that we have to day. Capitalism has brought abundance of production and efficiency in managing scarce resources. Scarcity and demand are the two permanent problems that exist. They can't be gone because so long as man needs he will demand.

Although, to be realist in a sense, there is no perfect concept about social order, everything will always have their flaws. Capitalism, Communism, Socialism and many more, all these are concepts that are purely ideological and in their nature it takes a few realities to prove their flaw.

If there is only one idea that can be close to perfection in which the world will attain true prosperity, peace and solidarity.

Communism as an socio-economic ideology is dead. Communism is China is more of totalitarianism and nothing about the very essence of what Marxism (sociological/economic paradigm)is all about.

Economically, China is a capitalist country masquerading as communist. The presence of free market, free enterprise and uncontrolled accumulation of wealth in China now is an anti-thesis of true Communism/socialism.


CPP/NDF/NPA should just join the mainstream and fight the so-called oppressions in our society (which they are partly true) through legal means.

Instead of stupidly destroying the same country that they say they care for.They are no different from those lazy and greedy bandits, terrorists, moronic politicians and officials in government destroying our country.


True there, despite them claiming that they know what's best for the country, what their doing is just inconsistent with what they preach. If indeed they wanted what's better for the country then they should not use armed struggle and instead take the fight in an equal, legal field. Where both parties can really sit and negotiate. The expense of war is something intangible, lives lost can never be compensated by ideologies and preaching about a perfect society.

Lol obviously, the Chinese were the proverbial mouse that went out to play while the cat was away now that the top cat is back eh di balik na din sila sa lunga nila ... .

For all the bravado they know that they are hopelessly outclassed by the combined allied forces of the US in the region and they probably saw how their bullying made countries like Vietnam and the Phillippines start to rearm, which is obviously counter productive for them strategically as it alters the balance of power further in their disfavour .

China should return to it's stated goals of peaceful rise in the region even if those claims must now be taken with a grain of salt after their conduct these past few years .

The U.S is the hegemony that world has already been used to. There's no way China can replace them in just like that. Not now, or ever. In hegemony, there is always 'strength in numbers'. With that I mean a gargantuan GDP that can sustain the largest armed forces the world has ever seen and maintain a sophisticated and ever evolving military technology. Basically China cannot and will never have that. India has more potential and even the Philippines in the long term as we still are arguably one of the largest countries in the world now and in the future. Comparing to the 140+ nations that exist we are currently 12th.

^^
China is once a superpower (middle kingdom) in the world and them rising back to their former stature shouldn't surprise anyone.

If you recall the recent events, they showed the world that they are a force to reckon with by flexing its muscle in the pacific (spratlys) and by vetoing the UN sanctions against Syria. They may not possess regional influence (SEA) or in the world but they are slowly building it's elsewhere (Africa).

Now, in the technological department, we maybe laughing right now at their achievements, but in 20-30 years time they will be able to catch up against the west. A lot of think tank and experts also suggest that China will surpass if not be at par with US in that department.

And as of late, US is implementing defense spending, they mothballed several assets and projects. In their current status, US can't afford to maintain such large military anymore. They are re-channeling their resources for more important things.

For me, there's no argument that US Military Superiority and Influence is unmatched by a China or even Russia. And there's no way they (China) would match them in a conventional manner. Instead they will resort to unprecedented asymmetric strategies just to even up the game. US doesn't shape-up the warfare and economy nowadays, it's them who is adjusting to it.

Socialism can't work with a decline birthrate..unless they let all people over age 65 work and never retire.

The entire world has a declining birthrate and has to do with advances in medicin longer lifespans and changing socio economic circumstances where Europeans have simply undergone these societal changes before everyone else, they now have the longest lifespans and the best outcomes when it comes to infant mortality which means that fewer kids die at birth and a modern economy and society also means that fewer need to be born as you don't need seven kids anymore to tend the parents farms etc .

The welfare system is quite affordable with small adjustments as human lifespans get longer so instead of retirement at 55 yes it is normal and logical to revise retirement up at 60 or 65, given that every year life expectancy in these countries grow by as much as 3 month's today the average lifespans are well into their 80's a decade from now life expectancy will routinely be in their 90's, furthermore a small tax hike in the measure of 1 to 3% of GDP nothing more would be sufficient to cope with the initial bulge after which the new demographic pattern will even out, further measures are temporary work visas to cover any labour shortages and fill up tax revenue etc .

But due to longer lifespans and unlike say the Chinese who's society is also experiencing rapid ageing the Europeans the Japanese etc are already wealthy and prosperous they have the ressources and infrastructures to deal with it, meanwhile China or India will get old before they reach the same levels of prosperity and it is in the developing world poorly equipped to deal with the phenomenon where ageing will have a greater impact on societies just think in a few decades India will just aswell have half a billion old people in a changing society .

In the Phillippines we also need to start thinking about these issues just because our demographic bulge will hit ageing a decade or two after the rest doesn't mean that the country will be spared except for a brief moment which should be used to improve social policy .

I grew up as a kid in the 80's so im still in the generation where kids took care of their elderly parents but who knows if these values would still be the same in 30 years time when our generation and younger one's reach their old age ... .

To keep this relevant ageing will have an impact on the regions security issues at least in a few decades time, namely i think that China will be less inclined to be agressive ass their population grows increasingly older and their economy grows increasingly slower especially since they already have a situation of having "only childs" too precious to send to war and who's productive lifetimes will be needed to face the challenges of their ageing society .

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Communism has never been implemented on this earth and thus logically can't be said to have failed as a system .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Communism has never been implemented on this earth and thus logically can't be said to have failed as a system .

I beg to disagree with that statement of your there. As I said, no matter how you slice the dog, it's still dog meat to us. Why would countries call themselves "communist" when they are not really "communist"? That's a fact! And if one says this one animal walks like a duck, honks like a duck and it really looks like a duck but it is a chicken, who's gonna believe?

Besides, arguments usually start with the claim stated on first lines, not a hanging last sentence. From the declaration in the first statement, follows the supporting fact and details to buttress the claim/s.

Why would countries call themselves "communist" when they are not really "communist"? That's a fact! And if one says this one animal walks like a duck, honks like a duck and it really looks like a duck but it is a chicken, who's gonna believe?

Please post the countries that call themselves "communist", here's an example North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea .

:)

Ang tagal naman mag lista ng examples nag luto pa siguro si Parchie ng kanyang pekeng duck ?, :lol: kwak kwak kwak .

Anyway its fine people are free to believe whatever they want i will stop responding to it here i would simply suggest they read up more on the ideals of communism vs the stereotypes theyve grown up with in the rather biased or simple minded media but from unbiased or original sources, for now let's move back to more military-ish issues here and if someone wishes to continue the convo well im game let's just find a more suitable thread .

One last thing if you work for someone else doing a service then you are an employee if you work for someone else doing manual labour then you are a labourer, if you work on a farm then you are a farmer and if you own a shop or small business then you are an entrepreneur, only if you live in a big ass mansion investing money and doing nothing but sip champagne by the pool waiting for dividends can you be a "capitalist", so in this sense there aren't really capitalist countries either but rather small segments of their populations which can be called "capitalists" .

Interesting.

All is silent in the western front,..the commies' deafening silence is full of eerie, treacherous and ominous signs, i can sense the commies' strategy,..

Please post the countries that call themselves "communist", here's an example North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea .

:)

Sorry for leaving out your question. It's really an undesirable thing when people tend to play semantics here. FYI, you can have lots of answers why communist countries call themselves "democratic republics" when they are not. Aside from being a PR, they want to present to the world a sense of being democratic when they don't have free elections, it's the state's rights first, personal rights last, when all the property is government-owned and the state-owned enterprises (SOE) are far more important than private endeavors, etc. Do you want us to believe what a label says it is when what we see is an intentional misnomer? Nuts.

Sorry for leaving out your question. It's really an undesirable thing when people tend to play semantics here.

There was no semantics words have meaning and the word communism is defined and i used it properly and not to mean something else .

Communism is in part defined as a democratic system and one which does not believe in states, so once you even utter the word country your argument becomes an oxymoron .

Like ive said the US invented mass propaganda techniques which was so successfull both the Nazi's and Soviets studied their techniques, the US used the word communism as a brand to define a group of countries which did not fit the definition of the word for purely propagandistic and political purposes .

you can have lots of answers why communist countries call themselves

You said that countries called themselves "communist" and that we should believe them hence my challenge for you to name them which you were unable to do, so now you tell us that these same countries call themselves "democratic" and that we shouldn't believe them well this is flip flopping and it isn't a credible argument .

Imo, democracy or communism/dictatorship isn't the real issue here. It all boils down to the people. How much are they willing to adopt a system of governance and if that works out for them. Fine. Singapore is working fine with the authoritarian state yet DPKR isn't (the far end of extremes).

Sometimes I think what a country (like ours) really needs is an authoritarian state before a country can transition to a real democracy. The citizens need to learn the value of discipline and respect for the law first.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/425456_398832846797320_119999698013971_1775538_2036856860_n.jpg

SPECIAL FORCES troopers patrol the seas around Basilan island to support the local government and the police in protecting the communities against terrorists and notorious criminals.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/407167_372308532788770_107520479267578_1460004_1363074680_n.jpg

BAYANIHAN. Hon. Sara Z. Duterte, Mayor of Davao City, wears the Bayanihan Cap and holds the Gawad Bayanihan plaque beside Col. Lysander A. Suerte, Commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, at the Bayanihan Hall of the brigade on Feb. 25, 2012. The partnership of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade with Mayor Sara Z. Duterte for the military's support in the peace and development along with other sectors is a concrete "whole-of-the-nation" approach as guided by PDOP of 10ID and BAYANIHAN of the Philippine Army.

The entire world has a declining birthrate and has to do with advances in medicin longer lifespans and changing socio economic circumstances where Europeans have simply undergone these societal changes before everyone else, they now have the longest lifespans and the best outcomes when it comes to infant mortality which means that fewer kids die at birth and a modern economy and society also means that fewer need to be born as you don't need seven kids anymore to tend the parents farms etc .

The welfare system is quite affordable with small adjustments as human lifespans get longer so instead of retirement at 55 yes it is normal and logical to revise retirement up at 60 or 65, given that every year life expectancy in these countries grow by as much as 3 month's today the average lifespans are well into their 80's a decade from now life expectancy will routinely be in their 90's, furthermore a small tax hike in the measure of 1 to 3% of GDP nothing more would be sufficient to cope with the initial bulge after which the new demographic pattern will even out, further measures are temporary work visas to cover any labour shortages and fill up tax revenue etc .



True enough, but the problems North America and EU are facing is that people don't want to work but they all want the perks and package the government is giving. With more people retiring at 65 and there are not as many labor force as retirees, it is going to be tough financially. Companies do not want to pay taxes, workers do not want taxes...

Contrary to what retirees believe, their pensions do not come from what they had paid before, all that went to the old retirees when they were young. The ones that are funding the pensions, retirement pays, etc are the ones working now.

Now, with all the tax cuts and so on, benfit and pension cuts are likely to be an effect of it.

It's ironic, many people want "dole outs" and this and that and do not want to pay taxes...that leaves many countries in limbo

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/427421_393651897315415_119999698013971_1758912_856414261_n.jpg

Jungle Warfare Mountain Operation Course (JWMOC) CSC.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/424195_392724354074836_119999698013971_1756412_659710357_n.jpg

SOLDIER'S MEMORIES during training will always include the 'square meals' and the endless recitation of 'knowledges' during mess. 'Teeeeeeen....shun!!! -CSC Basic Training

Imo, democracy or communism/dictatorship isn't the real issue here. It all boils down to the people. How much are they willing to adopt a system of governance and if that works out for them. Fine. Singapore is working fine with the authoritarian state yet DPKR isn't (the far end of extremes).

Sometimes I think what a country (like ours) really needs is an authoritarian state before a country can transition to a real democracy. The citizens need to learn the value of discipline and respect for the law first.

My aunt once commented that the simplest traffic rules (red light) are not followed by citizens. She said that discipline starts from the bottom.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/424195_392724354074836_119999698013971_1756412_659710357_n.jpg

SOLDIER'S MEMORIES during training will always include the 'square meals' and the endless recitation of 'knowledges' during mess. 'Teeeeeeen....shun!!! -CSC Basic Training

ang konti naman ng pagkain nila :lol:

True enough, but the problems North America and EU are facing is that people don't want to work but they all want the perks and package the government is giving. With more people retiring at 65 and there are not as many labor force as retirees, it is going to be tough financially. Companies do not want to pay taxes, workers do not want taxes...

Contrary to what retirees believe, their pensions do not come from what they had paid before, all that went to the old retirees when they were young. The ones that are funding the pensions, retirement pays, etc are the ones working now.

Now, with all the tax cuts and so on, benfit and pension cuts are likely to be an effect of it.

It's ironic, many people want "dole outs" and this and that and do not want to pay taxes...that leaves many countries in limbo

OT:I beg to disagree with you on this completely. I contributed 7% of my gross income toward my pension with a matching funds with the company I worked. Just for a simple math computation, it will take 15 years to exhaust my money I put-in & it is taxable when starting to withdraw, excluding the social security money I contributed of 3.5% of my gross income which will be available when I turn 62 the earlies time. After 15 years that is the time the government will dig in for my pension. I worked under NYC & State entities(Transpotation/subway).

Now a new updated set of pension plans has been updated and the retirement age and contribution is being changed. :nuts:

OT:I beg to disagree with you on this completely. I contributed 7% of my gross income toward my pension with a matching funds with the company I worked. Just for a simple math computation, it will take 15 years to exhaust my money I put-in & it is taxable when starting to withdraw, excluding the social security money I contributed of 3.5% of my gross income which will be available when I turn 62 the earlies time. After 15 years that is the time the government will dig in for my pension. I worked under NYC & State entities(Transpotation/subway).

Now a new updated set of pension plans has been updated and the retirement age and contribution is being changed. :nuts:

The SSN, Medicare you pay right now goes to the current retirees, not your own. I am not saying you are not entitled to it but that is how the government does it.

Think of it: In case money dries up in the future because of tax cuts, where will you get your pension? You can't pull it out from your "contribution" because it went to the present retirees. That is why PRESENT retirees are the ones threatened by tax cuts, not you. If it were as we think it is, then retirees should not worry about the cuts but they are and they should be. Present tax cuts will not affect your SSN and Medicare entitlement. Future tax cuts will (at the age you retire).

It may not be what we want to hear but that is the reality of taxation.

Speaking of commies, So what's your opinion regarding the remarks of the Chinese spokesperson?

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/24139/us-forces-never-left-philippines----chinese-embassy-spokesman

MANILA -- Did the Americans ever leave? They never left. This was the reaction of outgoing spokesman of the Chinese embassy Ethan Sun when asked to comment about the planned increase of United States forces in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia as a new US strategic foreign policy.
And how would this new expansion in Asia, as announced by US President Barack Obama in his recent State of the Union Address, affect Chinese foreign policy?
Chinese foreign policy has always been for peace and cooperation, Sun said in a farewell dinner with some journalists.
To illustrate his point on the perceived Chinese military aggression over the past year when tension between China and the Philippines reached a new peak, Sun said he asked these questions of students of the University of the Philippines' School of Economics who invited him to a forum. While the original topic was about Philippine-Chinese trade and investment, the discussion turned to the Spratlys, the disputed area in the West Philippine Sea (the name the Philippines choose to call the South China Sea).
And his response, he said, was a set of questions: How many Filipinos did the Americans kill in the Filipino-American war? How many Filipinos did the Japanese kill in World War II? And how many Filipinos have the Chinese killed in any war?
All throughout the centuries of relations between the two countries, China has not acted aggressively toward the Philippines, he said.
Focus on the domestic
China, which is set to undergo a change in leadership in Oct. as it does every 10 years, is focused on domestic problems of growth and inequality.
While people in the eastern part of China are enjoying the fruits of China's phenomenal growth over the past few years, life has not been very good for those in the west, Sun said.
The disparity in wealth may cause more problems for China if it is not addressed, he said, and a chaotic China is not good for China or the world, he said.
Aside from China and the Philippines, the other countries with claims over the disputed areas in West Philippine Sea are Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Over the past year, the Philippines has protested several "incursions" by Chinese naval vessels into Philippine territory.



:lol: Ok I think I already guessed.

ang konti naman ng pagkain nila :lol:

They have to get used to it because in times of war there will be scarcity of food in the front lines.

All throughout the centuries of relations between the two countries, China has not acted aggressively toward the Philippines, he said.

Well just to nitpick with his comments ...

I think he conveniently leaves out the adventures of Limahong to try and conquer the country for himself or at least parts of it wheter it was officially sanctioned or not he was still Chinese, and there are of course other reasons such as China closing itself off from the rest of the world and other internal issues .

We could also consider the ultimate Chinese invasion and colonisation of Taiwan as an act of agression against what were similar or even related non Chinese indigenous tribes of that island, had China not interfered it most likely would have become part of the Phillippines .

Anyway yes the US did a mini genocide of sorts in the Phillippines but i guess weve forgotten about it ty to effective US propaganda techniques so tough luck for the Chinese maybe they could learn a thing or two on PR from them lol ... .

US to boost Philippine defence with $145m aid

By Jerry E. Esplanada in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer | Asia News Network – 7 hours ago

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The United States will provide the Philippines at least $144.66 million in defence-related assistance this year, according to Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Speaking before the Manila Overseas Press Club at a Makati City hotel, Del Rosario noted on Wednesday night that the new US aid would be "an increase of $21.38 million from the previous year's appropriation."

The funding, he emphasised, would help the country "improve our national defence by building a minimum defence posture to protect our national sovereignty".

Citing the country's lack of resources, Del Rosario said "it behooves us to proactively seek the assistance and cooperation of our various international partners to achieve this minimum credible posture, which is a fundamental attribute of any sovereign country."

"Last year, we acquired a Hamilton-class cutter from the US, and we are expecting the delivery of a second cutter this year. Negotiations are likewise underway for more defence articles, including newer air assets for the Philippine Air Force," he also said.

Manila is also "updating its mutual defence partnership (with Washington) under the Philippines-US Mutual Defence Treaty in view of the changes in the regional and global security environment."


http://ph.news.yahoo.com/us-boost-philippine-defence-145m-aid-041002785.html

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/4/4/7/4/94646_1327855474.jpg

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/4/4/7/4/94646_1327855474.jpg

COOL.... :banana:

Sorry I Cant make it any smaller but This particular plane (ACTUAL) used to be a Philippine Airlines DC10-30 it has been converted to and is now a McDonnell Douglas KDC-10-30(CF) as a refueller tanker...la lang sayang............but its not like we have fighter that can utilize it anyway

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/3/4/3/9/36090_1319552934.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/424195_392724354074836_119999698013971_1756412_659710357_n.jpg

SOLDIER'S MEMORIES during training will always include the 'square meals' and the endless recitation of 'knowledges' during mess. 'Teeeeeeen....shun!!! -CSC Basic Training

Bakit silver yung canteen? Hindi ba dapat green o depende sa environment, kapag silver kumikislap kapag tinamaan ng araw.

US to boost Philippine defence with $145m aid

By Jerry E. Esplanada in Manila/Philippine Daily Inquirer | Asia News Network – 7 hours ago



http://ph.news.yahoo.com/us-boost-philippine-defence-145m-aid-041002785.html

Hmm is that somehow related to this?

CLINTON PROPOSES MORE AID TO PHILIPPINES (http://www.balitangamerica.tv/clinton-proposes-more-aid-to-philippines/)

http://www.balitangamerica.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0312-Hillary-Clinton-UN-women_full_600-150x150.jpg (http://www.balitangamerica.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/0312-Hillary-Clinton-UN-women_full_600.jpg)By Rodney Jaleco, ABS-CBN North America Bureau
February 28, 2012
WASHINGTON—U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton told a Senate budget panel today that the world needs American leadership to keep it safe and peaceful, even as it eyes more aid for the Philippines.
The 2013 foreign aid budget proposed $13.5 million in Foreign Military Fund (FMF) support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
U.S. Congress can still increase or decrease the amount although it’s proven generous in the past, doubling the military aid proposed by the State Department after placing conditions on the disbursement of part of that money to the AFP stemming extra-judicial killings and human rights abuses.
The proposed 2013 foreign aid budget for the Philippines also includes $31 million for health programs, $2.5 million for anti-narcotics and $1.7 million for military training in the U.S.
Because the military assistance won’t be enough to pay for the cost of refurbishing and delivering the 2nd Hamilton-class cutter to the Philippine Navy, officials say the Energy Department will help raise the funds to cover the shortfall.
“People look to us to protect our allies and stand by our principles and serve as an honest broker in making peace; in fighting hunger, poverty, and disease; to standing up to bullies and tyrants,” she told the Senate appropriations subcommittee on state, foreign operations and related programs.
“American leadership,” she added, “is not just respected, it is required, and it takes more than just resolve and a lot of hours in the plane. It takes resources.”
Based on a funding request submitted to Congress earlier this month, US economic and military assistance to the Philippines could reach about $164 million next year, an increase from the $157 million in 2010.
Much of the proposed increase comes from the $87 million earmarked for development assistance.
“We know how quickly the world is transforming, from Arab revolutions to the rise of new economic powers, to a more dispersed but still dangerous al-Qaida terrorist threat,” Secretary Clinton said.
“In this time, only the United States of America has the reach, resources, and relationships to anchor a more peaceful and prosperous world,” she stressed.
The administration of President Benigno Aquino III has welcomed an increased U.S. military presence in the Philippines, largely out of concerns over an increasingly aggressive Chinese presence in the disputed Spratly Islands.
Earlier this week, Philippine Energy Secretary Jose Almendras announced plans to invite foreign investors to explore oil deposits in two offshore areas near Palawan despite a protest from China.
Various estimates suggest that as much as 200 billion barrels of oil lay waiting to be pumped from the bottom of the South China Sea. One of the fields the Philippines wants to develop near Reed Bank is reportedly bigger than the Malampaya gas field operated by Royal Dutch Shell that already fuels half the power needs of Luzon.
The Philippines has relied on the U.S. to help modernize its military. The U.S. turned over last year a retired Coast Guard high-endurance cutter that now serves as the flagship of the Philippine Navy. A second US ship is expected to follow later this year even as the Philippines explores the possibility of a 3rd warship.
The U.S. also has Special Forces troops in Mindanao to help track down the al-Qaeda affiliates Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaa Islamiya.
Secretary Clinton said they are “making an unprecedented effort to build a strong network of relationships and institutions” in the Asia Pacific region that will be anchored on the U.S.
“As we tighten our belts around the world, we are investing the diplomatic attention necessary to do more with less. In Asia, we pursue what we call forward-deployed diplomacy – strengthening our alliances, launching new strategic dialogues and economic initiatives, creating and joining important multilateral institutions,” she explained.
Still, out of the $52 billion the U.S. intends to spend in 2013 to help some 102 countries around the world, about 40 percent will go to only 15 countries (excluding the Philippines), leaving about $12 billion to be spread out to the remaining 88.
A 2009 National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) report showed that although Japan and ironically, China gave the Philippines more in official development assistance (ODA), most if not all of that amount were in the form of loans; the US was the top source of grants, aside from the World Bank and United Nations, followed by Australia and the European Union.


Mercato, will look at this?! Parang yung panaginip mo is not that far from reality. Lol. This is not making us looking very independent much:lol::lol:

^^ just be happy.... with our rising economy, baka nagkakaroon na tayo ng kwenta... :lol:

Altho it is still overwhelming there is a relative decline in US military power so it now has to concentrate itself in fewer regions in order to maintain that lead, the EU basically can take care of the Atlantic, Africa and shares the responsibilities of control of the Persian gulf and western Indian ocean, while the US would now focus more of it's power back to East Asia and SE Asia to keep China contained .

So providing more aid is a two way street altho it is in their interest to do so but of course it should be a partnership and the Phillippins for it's part should raise it's own defence spending as a % of GDP to at least 1,5% to begin with and later on perhaps up to 2%, just to show both to the US and China that it is also serious about its own defence .

^^Guys, i understand this is a bit off topic as far as Defense topic is concern, but since GDP is mentioned here, I just would like to understand further why each time we talk about spending, it is always based on GDP rather than on the actual revenue of the country. In my understanding, GDP is rather more on the wealth of the people rather than the government.

Communism and Socialism is a perfect system that is however hard to implement.







.
.

fishy.....

lol

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/4/4/7/4/94646_1327855474.jpg

Saan banda may snow sa Pilipinas?

fishy.....

She's probably commy...

GDP is rather more on the wealth of the people rather than the government.

Government at least in democratic countries with a high level of public accountability is formed by the people it in itself does not have wealth but is charged with the proper use of the peoples wealth .

GDP is the measure of all wealth at least verifiable one's produced by a countries economy during a year, the "government" then uses taxation or borrowing to fund itself or it's policies and one way to measure that amount is to compare it to the size of the wealth generated by the country during the course of a year .

It is like measuring your monthly car insurance cost as a % of your monthly income, in this case i think the country has slipped below 1% of gdp or the equivalent of 1% of all wealth generated by the country every year for the purpose of defence spending .

----

Btw it might never be necessary but looking at that nice pic of the Sokol i can see that there is a wire cutter between the cockpit windows but somehow im a bit concerned of the lack of a wire cutter further up perhaps between the engines, lol in the Phillippines wires still aren't really submerged underground yet and often dangle all over the place .

JAJu6nGYvh8

rm6MwIdY4TA

Saan banda may snow sa Pilipinas?


lol wut?? sa Poland kuha yan diba??

Communism and Socialism is a perfect system that is however hard to implement.







.
.


Well North Korea has perfected socialism...and its a good system??:nuts::nuts::nuts:...let me see you live there...its only perfect for a corrupt government without any accountability and an abusive dictator without any god to believe in...

Saan banda may snow sa Pilipinas?



She's probably commy...

Sa starcity meron:rofl:

^^ malamang galing Europe yan.. :lol:

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/4/4/7/4/94646_1327855474.jpg
my friend batang tayuman favorite body number:lol:

Saan banda may snow sa Pilipinas?



She's probably commy...

Hehehe siguro sa baguio...20000 yrs ago...

What's the real difference between tribal despotism and communism?

What's the real difference between tribal despotism and communism?

Aside from spelling, scale of scope, IMO.

Speaking of commies, So what's your opinion regarding the remarks of the Chinese spokesperson?

And how many Filipinos have the Chinese killed in any war?


Around 6,000. Korean War.

The only people who benefit communism and socialism are their rulers. Do you think the son of the Korean ruler is starving? Just look at his physical stature. I've known personally people from Cuba who didn't know what milk was becuase Castro didn't give them milk it was for the "rich" people. But Castro is living like a king, and so with his minions. This family in Cuba that I know of says that they cannot own personal belongings since the Communist party "owns" them. They go to their houses any time and look for things like beds or furnitures and if they think you can't have those they take it away. Guys, these "perfect" system has shown its true intent at enslaving people and denying them private property rights since for communism it is evil when somebody has and the other has not. It doen't matter if the person works harder to earn money than the other, for them this is evil. Socialism is now working in Europe and they are going down the drain. That's right, it's a perfect Utopian idea that cannot and never will become a reality. It takes away people's freedom, liberty, and personal responsibility to be able to rise in society without government's help. Bottom line is, a free society is way much better even if the people don't have everything they want than a government who tells you what to do and takes away your freedom and ability to rise thru hard work and enslave you. If you read the Declaration of Independence of the US, it lists there the greivances of the Americans who suffered the rule of a tyrant King George of Britain. Hence, it is only the US who was able to craft a Constitution that would prevent a tyrant from ruling a nation and establish a system of government where the people live free and and have smaller government. Altho GB wasn't ruled by communists, it is also true that Communism are ruled by tyrants.

Did we send and lost a whole division in Korea?

Did we send and lost a whole division in Korea?

FYI, our late commandant in CAT a long time ago was a Korean vet. He was with the 10th BCT. He intimately told me how they fared in Korea. He said he lost his kneecap when advancing under machine gun fire. Sheer numbers of Chinese attacking their lines were so overwhelming that they have to withdraw about 10-20 miles from dusk to dawn and then recover lost ground during daylight. It was a back and forth battle, he said. They were fighting the Chinese, not Koreans!

Socialism is now working in Europe and they are going down the drain. That's right, it's a perfect Utopian idea that cannot and never will become a reality. It takes away people's freedom, liberty, and personal responsibility to be able to rise in society without government's help.

How are they going down the drain ? this is nonsensical i would like you to please substantiate your claims ty .

There are more SME's in Europe than the US and there are just as many millionaires and just almost as many billionaires in Europe while the EU has a larger economy than the US and is most of the worlds largest trading partner .

The Euro is actually doing better than the $ in terms of longterm longevity it's share as a % of the worlds currency reserves continues to rise and Eurozone membership continues to expand, the European Union as a political system is also more dynamic compared to the rather corrupt stale and gridlocked Washington system, the EU also continues to integrate and expand Serbia is just the latest country to now have been given the green light as a candidate country to join the EU .

In fact social mobility has stagnated in the US compared to Europe where someone born poor has now more of an opportunity in climbing up the social ladder and becoming more successful in life than their parents compared to the US .

http://www.tonyrogers.com/news/images/european_height_400.gif
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40037000/gif/_40037621_heights_us_eu_inf203.gif

The success of democratic socialism and social market economies even shows in the physical stature of their respective peoples where Europeans have grown much taller than their increasingly diminutive American counterparts ( the study did not include minorities ), Europe is a better place to be born due to lower infant mortality and to live in because Europeans also have longer life expectancy than Americans, so does most other OECD countries btw Canada, NZ, OZ, Japan etc .

All this is thanks to the social market economic model where people have better access to nutrition and healthcare .

About the only thing the US does well nowadays is entertainment otherwise it's becoming a basket case economically relying on pretty much a militarized economy much like the USSR and other countries continuing to lend it money .

So what exactly are you on about quality of life ?, gender equality ?, competitivity indexes ?, crime murder rates ?, the US doesn't fare all that well in those stats either .

QE3 anyone ? .

----

Bottom line is, a free society is way much better even if the people don't have everything they want than a government who tells you what to do and takes away your freedom and ability to rise thru hard work and enslave you.

As fmr 3 term US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said :

"Necessitous men are not free men." Liberty requires opportunity to make a living - a living decent according to the standard of the time, a living which gives man not only enough to live by, but something to live for .
http://www.austincc.edu/lpatrick/his2341/fdr36acceptancespeech.htm

Today it is Americans who imo live like slaves compared to Europeans and people in other OECD countries who have low private debt high savings rates with decent lifestyles with often just a single job, where Americans have to work 2 or 3 jobs with next to no vacation time and live on credit cards and debt just to have the equivalent quality of life .

Fact is there is nothing wrong at all with having socialist policies that mitigate the worst for ordinary people and making sure that they are able to continue to participate with dignity in society and the economy and be healthy and productive which in the end is a good thing for the economy .

Lot's of OECD countries are doing quite well economically despite having socialistic policies such as socialized healthcare so can anyone really say despite such policies that Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Germany or Sweden etc are bad places to live in or for business ? .

----

If you read the Declaration of Independence of the US, it lists there the greivances of the Americans who suffered the rule of a tyrant King George of Britain. Hence, it is only the US who was able to craft a Constitution that would prevent a tyrant from ruling a nation and establish a system of government where the people live free and and have smaller government.

Lol @ tyrant as ive said many times the Americans perfected propaganda techniques even the spark for war was based on a lie propagated by the local elites some of which owned news papers that purposely printed inflamatory, exaggerated and often fake news and stories more reminiscent of NPA news bulletins and propaganda .

What the local British American colonist elites grievances were was simply the monopoly of the British East India trading company in the tea trade and other interdictions in other key industries, and the tea party ( not the fake recent rightwingnut US phenomenon ) incident was actually a rather communistic anti capitalist act where they boarded a "private corporations" vessel and vandalised it's "privately" owned cargo .

The Americans other grievance regarding a small "tax" imposed upon them for "their own defence" against the French and Indians was completely reasonable as up until then their colonies security was mainly paid for by the mother country .

Taxation without representation was a grievance which btw was remedied by the British once the demands were made and indeed new laws were passed to allow for it weeks before conflict began, the law wasn't heard in the colonies in time simply due to poor communication systems available at the time .

Furthermore the majority of colonists weren't at all convince of the rebels cause and if not for France and it's intervention there would have been no American independence in the 18th century .

Ironically Americans paid so much more taxes after their independence and even today than under British rule lol, as for representation again ironically people now pay taxes but are regularly disenfranchised from voting and politics by wealthy elites who now own most of the "representation" in Washington politics, so irony of all ironies the US is no better off after independence than it was prior .

----

Altho GB wasn't ruled by communists, it is also true that Communism are ruled by tyrants.

How is it true ? please cite the definition of "communism" from any dictionary saying it is so ! .

----

Altho Americans can be nice people personally and i do have relatives and friends there aswell, the US is actually imo a rather insular and backward place in many ways with the exception of the coastal areas and a few big cities especially with regards to being knowlegeable about anything about the world beyond it's own borders, and i find it sad and disturbing that it is the primary source of foreign knowledge and influence for the Phillippines no wonder perhaps that the country is the way it is ... .

The sooner the country get's rid of the presidential system and replace it with a parliamentary or semi parliamentary/presidential hybrid system such as that in Germany the better, the sooner it can reform itself into a federal state system the better aswell and the sooner the Vatican state through the catholic church is banned from making or influencing public policy and the country truelly becomes modern and secular the better .

Anyway these topics are getting kindof OT on this thread but some comments are just outrageous enough imo to warrant a response .

Your comparisons with US & EU remind me of this article:

Is It Worth It Being A Superpower? (http://dougsrepublic.com/20100621-econ-superpower.php)...U.S. workers are the world's most productive, yet the average American doesn't enjoy a standard of living commensurate with other industrialized nations. Mr. American gets stuck with a huge public debt-- 59% of GDP-- with little to show for it, while the average European has his college education paid for or heavily subsidized and receives medical insurance and sometimes generous unemployment coverage. A Swedish citizen can opt to live and work abroad for his entire working life. At retirement age, despite having paid no tax to Sweden, he is eligible to return home and have the government take care of him. It doesn't work that way with Uncle Sam. An American not living in America, making his living in enterprises not associated with or in America, is still liable to pay American income tax on anything above US$91,500 in exchange for getting to enjoy none of the meager services the American government provides.
The moral here for the aspiring rich nations of the world: be on good terms with a superpower and preferably speak the same language and have a similar culture to a superpower, but for heaven's sakes, DON'T BE ONE! The position is vastly overrated and costly and hardly worth it. Ask the indebted American people. The huddled masses yearning to breathe free would be less tired and less poor if they'd immigrated somewhere else.

Well the thing is the US spends about 4% of GDP on "defence" or half the worlds total as if it is engaged in a never ending war, while the EU which considers itself to be at peace only spends about 1,5% or 25% of the worlds total, US defence spending is also in a way an industry or a jobs program so speaking of a communistic or socialistic policy ... .

Is it worth it well clearly the US get's a large military for it and it can destroy less developed or smaller countries even countries like China, but it is totally useless however for occupying countries due to the high cost such as the experience in both Iraq and Afghanistan shows and against most nuclear powered states, except say those that lack good global strike and second strike capabilities like India or Pakistan, North Korea perhaps Israel .

So there are benefits but it is limited and frankly not worth the price tag especially when contrasted with the massive internal social issues in the US today, the US can still confront China even if it just spent 3% of GDP i mean the Japanese military by itself is still a match for China .

Well the thing is the US spends about 4% of GDP on "defence" or half the worlds total as if it is engaged in a never ending war, while the EU which considers itself to be at peace only spends about 1,5% or 25% of the worlds total, US defence spending is also in a way an industry or a jobs program so speaking of a communistic or socialistic policy ... .

Is it worth it well clearly the US get's a large military for it and it can destroy less developed or smaller countries even countries like China, but it is totally useless however for occupying countries due to the high cost such as the experience in both Iraq and Afghanistan shows and against most nuclear powered states, except say those that lack good global strike and second strike capabilities like India or Pakistan, North Korea perhaps Israel .

So there are benefits but it is limited and frankly not worth the price tag especially when contrasted with the massive internal social issues in the US today, the US can still confront China even if it just spent 3% of GDP i mean the Japanese military by itself is still a match for China .

I don't think any country/power in this world can ever succesfully occupy a country unless they want to be trapped in a quagmire for years and years (more so, if it's a universally condemned invasion like WW2).
Japan during WW2 were never even able to successfully occupy the Philippines, remember? It takes more than military might to sway a population and restore some sort of order.
Now if this was still colonial times, it might be slightly different. But then again, It took the Americans and Spaniards a combined 350 years to um, educate us.:scouserd:

I guess it would depend on the context China occupies Tibet and the Phillippines supposedly occupies "moro" land and Malaysia occupies Sabah while Thailand also occupies "moro" lands and Indonesia still occupies Western Papua ... .

"FYI, our late commandant in CAT a long time ago was a Korean vet. He was with the 10th BCT. He intimately told me how they fared in Korea. He said he lost his kneecap when advancing under machine gun fire. Sheer numbers of Chinese attacking their lines were so overwhelming that they have to withdraw about 10-20 miles from dusk to dawn and then recover lost ground during daylight. It was a back and forth battle, he said. They were fighting the Chinese, not Koreans!"

But did we lose a division?

Hmm is that somehow related to this?



Mercato, will look at this?! Parang yung panaginip mo is not that far from reality. Lol. This is not making us looking very independent much:lol::lol:Huh, ba't nadawit angelic name ko? :lol: :lol:

bueno, if my tongue is angelic (dilang anghel) no harm pushin our luck a bit further. :lol:
I wish for the Phils to become the 51st Autonomous State (more autonomy & distinct from the other Federal States) of the USA. :cool: Why? Hell, it solves a lotta things ... to wit
1. I just realized kapagod na pala pakisamahan ang lekat na inggiterong Truly Asia. Tutal, if the future is ASEAN with KL in the centre, wag na 'toy. Wag na sa kanila na lang. It would mean Sharia Law for all, their unique political structure based on either race or religion or both. NVM, forget it. Sabah at Minsupala magiging kanila pa.
2. If the future is China, mas lalong wag na. No need to elabourate no.
3. Manila will become once again like that Manila Pearl of the Orient early '30s vid. :lol:
4. It will strengthen our ties with our Pacific Islander and Latin brethren. FAce it, in 50 more years it won't be USA anymore but Estados Unidos Mexicanos. :lol:
5. Filipinas will be the gateway of the USA to mainland Asia. Great hub of economic activity.
6. We can station several MIRVs aimed directly at North Korea, China and Iran. :lol:
7. needless to say, Spratley Issue resolved by the US Navy. :lol:
8. Sabah Issue resolved by US Marines. :lol:
9. We can all go visit our relatives in California.
10. Our corrupt to the core congressmen, oligarchs, dynasties at lahat na nabubuhay sa padrino system will go bust. pffffft. :pepper:
11. The Pacific will become one huge Pax Americana stretching from California to Alaska to Hawaii to the Philippines. :lol:

Huh, ba't nadawit angelic name ko? :lol: :lol:

bueno, if my tongue is angelic (dilang anghel) no harm pushin our luck a bit further. :lol:
I wish for the Phils to become the 51st Autonomous State (more autonomy & distinct from the other Federal States) of the USA. :cool: Why? Hell, it solves a lotta things ... to wit
1. I just realized kapagod na pala pakisamahan ang lekat na inggiterong Truly Asia. Tutal, if the future is ASEAN with KL in the centre, wag na 'toy. Wag na sa kanila na lang. It would mean Sharia Law for all, their unique political structure based on either race or religion or both. NVM, forget it. Sabah at Minsupala magiging kanila pa.
2. If the future is China, mas lalong wag na. No need to elabourate no.
3. Manila will become once again like that Manila Pearl of the Orient early '30s vid. :lol:
4. It will strengthen our ties with our Pacific Islander and Latin brethren. FAce it, in 50 more years it won't be USA anymore but Estados Unidos Mexicanos. :lol:
5. Filipinas will be the gateway of the USA to mainland Asia. Great hub of economic activity.
6. We can station several MIRVs aimed directly at North Korea, China and Iran. :lol:
7. needless to say, Spratley Issue resolved by the US Navy. :lol:
8. Sabah Issue resolved by US Marines. :lol:
9. We can all go visit our relatives in California.
10. Our corrupt to the core congressmen, oligarchs, dynasties at lahat na nabubuhay sa padrino system will go bust. pffffft. :pepper:
11. The Pacific will become one huge Pax Americana stretching from California to Alaska to Hawaii to the Philippines. :lol:


1-2 Agree. Pero dapat very last resort lang. Are you sure u don't want a Visayas Republic? Maybe A Luzon Repub wouldn't be bad :lol:Pwede rin Commonwealth of Nations:lol:
3 Haha. Mag ala Duterte ka muna sa mga sira ulo at tigas ulo sa Manila:)
4 Mexifornia na nga eh!:lol:
5 Puttting the Yankees in an annoying triumphalist mood may or may not bode well:nuts:
6 Lol. Lalo sila maging aggressive nyan. :nuts:
7 Feeding the military complex much? :lol:
8 Depends on Malaysia and the residents of Sabah first :)
9 You mean Mexifornia :lol:
10. Only if you agree to pay more taxes to keep Gitmo open:lol: Pero di rin natin kailangan yan ship them to Batanes or make a penal colony out of any our unihabited islands:lol: Prefarebly yung gaya ng Alcatraz:)
11. Card-carrying member of the Expansionist Party of the United States? ka no?:lol:


http://expansionistparty.tripod.com/

China plans to increase defense spending 11.2 percent this year as the country’s expanding global commitments and lingering territorial disputes drive demand for more warships, missiles and fighter planes.

Military spending is set to rise this year to about 670 billion yuan ($106.4 billion), Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for China’s National People’s Congress, said yesterday ahead of a speech today by Premier Wen Jiabao to open the annual 10-day session of the country’s legislature.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-04/china-says-defense-spending-will-increase-11-2-to-106-4-billion-in-2012.html

I think in 2011 the Phillippine defence budget rose slightly to around 2 billion $, this still means that China outspends the PAF by about 50 to 1 so i think an increase to 2,5% of gdp is worth considering .

"FYI, our late commandant in CAT a long time ago was a Korean vet. He was with the 10th BCT. He intimately told me how they fared in Korea. He said he lost his kneecap when advancing under machine gun fire. Sheer numbers of Chinese attacking their lines were so overwhelming that they have to withdraw about 10-20 miles from dusk to dawn and then recover lost ground during daylight. It was a back and forth battle, he said. They were fighting the Chinese, not Koreans!"

But did we lose a division?

If he told me they were not able to "regain lost ground", then I guess we lost one "battalion" (10th Battalion Combat Team), but that wasn't the case.

The total UN loss (AUS, NZ, PHL, JPN, etc) reached 2 divisions as estimated by the Koreans - about 29,000.

1-2 Agree. Pero dapat very last resort lang. Are you sure u don't want a Visayas Republic? Maybe A Luzon Repub wouldn't be bad :lol:Pwede rin Commonwealth of Nations:lol:Visayas Republic is also a last resort. ;)
3 Haha. Mag ala Duterte ka muna sa mga sira ulo at tigas ulo sa Manila:)Oh yesss. The mayor and I share common beliefs in the death penalty. But he prefers to be discreet about it. I would, on the other hand, execute death row convicts publicly as an example - public execution by hanging or by guillotine. :lol:
4 Mexifornia na nga eh!:lol:That's the spirit. The US of A will become the 5th largest hispanic speakin country of the world, if it isnt already. In 50 more years, you can predict the rest. ;) A union now would greatly benefit renewal of our heritage and we will become like our sister Commonwealth before - Puerto Rico. ;)
5 Puttting the Yankees in an annoying triumphalist mood may or may not bode well:nuts:Realpolitik. If its between the devil and the deep blue sea, choose the lesser evil. Depends. :lol: the red dragon or the eagle?
6 Lol. Lalo sila maging aggressive nyan. :nuts:If the economy roars, who cares? :lol: Remember Bill Clinton's famous line about the economy?
7 Feeding the military complex much? :lol:refer to previous item.
8 Depends on Malaysia and the residents of Sabah first :)Far too long had it always been dependent on Malaysia. Why do we trust a mediator with vested interests in Sabah and a biased one at that.
9 You mean Mexifornia :lol:That's the spirit. But on a broader scale, the name USA 50 years hence will be transformed into EEUU. ;)
10. Only if you agree to pay more taxes to keep Gitmo open:lol: Pero di rin natin kailangan yan ship them to Batanes or make a penal colony out of any our unihabited islands:lol: Prefarebly yung gaya ng Alcatraz:)
11. Card-carrying member of the Expansionist Party of the United States? ka no?:lol:


http://expansionistparty.tripod.com/No need for BAtanes, how about any spot in the jungles of Philippine Sabah? :D

PACIFIC ANGEL "BAYANIHAN" OFFICIALLY KICKED-OFF TODAY IN ALBAY
by Navforsol Bicol (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.347220891983123.81234.100000856466119&type=3)

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/422511_347221105316435_100000856466119_941837_1356595467_n.jpg

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http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/432277_347222255316320_100000856466119_941843_1002471024_n.jpg

^^

RP-US Armed Forces Engagement/Coverage
by Rhaydz Barcia (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.397928453556422.114813.100000178119626&type=1)

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/431327_397928756889725_100000178119626_1848538_1487197582_n.jpg

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http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/426170_399472176735383_100000178119626_1853231_1631301718_n.jpg

^^

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/416915_397963476886253_100000178119626_1848796_1276372168_n.jpg


it would be nice to see our sokols hitching a ride on one of uncle sam's LHAs

Guys, just a thought....I hope our officials would think that it is important to maintain the good and cordial relationship with China based on historical ties that can be traced long before the Spaniards colonized our islands. :)



18th century Chinese merchant vessel discovered in Philippines

New Delhi, Mar 4 : Philippines has confirmed the recovery of an 18th century Chinese Merchant Vessel in the Roxas City sea in Central Philippines.



The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday that the Philippine National Museum had validated the recovery.

Junior Grade Jimmy Oliver Gingno, station commander of PCG- Roxas told local media that he received the report of the museum, English.news.cn reported.

"Personnel from the National Museum conducted an exploration in the sea in February. They validated the findings on the broken porcelains found inside the vessel as antique," said Gingno.

http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-167774.html

Ch53's looking good it definetely would be nice to have as the heavy lift helicopter for the PAF .

----

Problem is China might use that as an excuse when they say "see China was sailing around those waters long before the Phillippines even existed so the whole archipelago is creary berong to China" .

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/417730_359154864116069_138571859507705_1196762_336314146_n.jpg

USS Chafee - In Iloilo Strait
Photo from: Iloilo City Government FB





Pwede iwan nyo na lang yan sa amin..:)

http://thedailyguardian.net/images/dddbbb2.png

US NAVAL SHIP IN ILOILO. USS Chafee (DDG-90), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, anchored off the coast of Iloilo for several days. The tour of the naval ship was one of the sidelights of America in 3D, a road show of the U.S. Embassy in Iloilo March 2-4, 2012. (Tara Yap photos)

from:
thedailyguardian.net

AFP gets P4.7B from camps’ conversion

The sale of military camps has injected some P4.7 billion into the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program, resulting in the completion of 43 projects.

The P4.7 billion remitted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority represented the AFP’s share in the proceeds of the conversion of former military bases to commercial use.

Of the 43 projects completed, 19 are already being used by military units.

As a result, 1,621 night fighting system units and six armored personnel carriers M-113 have been delivered to the Philippine Army; 18 basic trainer aircraft and one aerial camera to the Philippine Air Force; and two multipurpose attack craft, four landing craft utility and 76-mm ammunition to the Philippine Navy.

A total of 402 squad automatic weapon units have also been delivered to the Army, Navy and Air Force as well as 8,100 force protection equipment for the Army and Navy.

The AFP general headquarters also now has an integrated radio tracking system, a base communication network project, mobile communication network and special operations communication equipment. Dona Z. Pazzibugan

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/156171/afp-gets-p4-7b-from-camps%e2%80%99-conversion

^^ In relation to that article....

BCDA remittances to military reach over P15 billion
By Alexis Romero The Philippine Star Updated March 05, 2012 12:00 AM 0 comment to this post

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has remitted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) more than P15 billion from the proceeds of the sale of former military camps as of last year.

The military uses its share of proceeds from the disposition of its former bases to buy new defense equipment or improve its facilities.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said for 2011 alone, the BCDA turned over P2.64 billion, P2.37 billion of which went to the military.

He said the BCDA had remitted a total of P12.7 billion from 2000 to 2010.

Burgos said the funds they received would be used to support their modernization efforts.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=67&articleid=783972

teka, intermission muna, mukhang giniba ng mga rebeldeng ruso ang NYC sa banner natin a familiar COD: MW3 scene???

"If he told me they were not able to "regain lost ground", then I guess we lost one "battalion" (10th Battalion Combat Team), but that wasn't the case.

The total UN loss (AUS, NZ, PHL, JPN, etc) reached 2 divisions as estimated by the Koreans - about 29,000."

A batallion has 450 men more or less. Earlier you mentioned the Philippines lost 6,000 men which is almost a division. Don't believe what your commandant just said. Do your research.

Visayas Republic is also a last resort. ;)
Oh yesss. The mayor and I share common beliefs in the death penalty. But he prefers to be discreet about it. I would, on the other hand, execute death row convicts publicly as an example - public execution by hanging or by guillotine. :lol:
That's the spirit. The US of A will become the 5th largest hispanic speakin country of the world, if it isnt already. In 50 more years, you can predict the rest. ;) A union now would greatly benefit renewal of our heritage and we will become like our sister Commonwealth before - Puerto Rico. ;)
Realpolitik. If its between the devil and the deep blue sea, choose the lesser evil. Depends. :lol: the red dragon or the eagle?
If the economy roars, who cares? :lol: Remember Bill Clinton's famous line about the economy?
refer to previous item.
Far too long had it always been dependent on Malaysia. Why do we trust a mediator with vested interests in Sabah and a biased one at that.
That's the spirit. But on a broader scale, the name USA 50 years hence will be transformed into EEUU. ;)
No need for BAtanes, how about any spot in the jungles of Philippine Sabah? :D

Actually, Mercato the term Mexifornia came from the Kanos who are getting tired of the Mehicanos, especially illegals.
Sorry, I still don't buy 'recolonising the Ph:lol: Individual republics as a first resort and your panaginip the very last.
But I still defend your right to dream a cherished dream:lol::lol:

Jets, radar to boost Phl's territorial defense


By Alexis Romero
(The Philippine Star)
Updated March 06, 2012

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) expects the delivery of several jets and radar equipment for territorial defense during the term of President Aquino.

PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said the acquisitions would boost the country’s defense stance against external threats.

He said six surface attack jets and trainer aircraft; a long-range patrol plane, one air defense radar, and a special mission airplane are expected to arrive in the country starting this year until 2016.

“This is a result of the defense acquisition system and the senior leaders’ meetings that they conduct very often. Hopefully, we will see initial deliveries by 2013 to 2014 or at the most 2015,” Okol said.

The new military equipment would be part of the second phase of the military’s modernization program to be implemented from 2012 to 2016.

The first phase included the acquisition of defense equipment that would improve the Armed Forces’ capability to conduct internal security operations.

The PAF would also acquire eight helicopters, seven attack helicopters, a C-130 cargo plane, and a long-range patrol aircraft and 18 basic trainer planes.

The 18 basic trainer planes have been delivered while others are in various stages of procurement.



The third phase of the modernization program to be implemented after 2016 would involve the acquisition of advanced multi-role fighter jets and long-range patrol aircraft and radars, Okol said.

Four brand new combat utility helicopters from two foreign firms arrived at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga last month.

The “Sokol” helicopters were purchased from Augusta PZL Swidnik of Italy and Poland.

Four more combat utility helicopters from Augusta PZL Swidnik are expected to arrive in the fourth quarter. The acquisition of the eight helicopters costs P2.8 billion.

The military earlier announced that the first batch of helicopters would arrive in November 2011. The four helicopters, however, arrived three months after.

The Sokol helicopters have night-vision capability and could accommodate 10 passengers.

The military expects the completion of the delivery of P3.4 billion worth of military hardware this year.

Okol said the PAF also expects the delivery of eight combat utility helicopters, three multi-purpose attack aircraft, equipment for coast watch stations, and 33 multi-purpose rocket launchers for the Presidential Security Group.

Source:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=784277&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Ex-AFP officers recruiting soldiers to overthrow PNoy – Trillanes

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ex-afp-officers-recruiting-soldiers-overthrow-pnoy-admin-141606940.html

Updated 10:04 p.m.) A group of former military officers have tried to recruit active officers and soldiers into overthrowing President Benigno Aquino III, employing the red-scare tactic that he is leading a closet communist regime, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV told reporters in an interview Monday.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said he received information from former colleagues that retired officers have used the "red scare” tactic — that the Aquino administration is emerging as a communist regime — in recruiting active officers and soldiers.

"There were retired officers recruiting active officers… They were those removed from the corridors of power and want to come back," said Trillanes.

A Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade who took part in efforts to overthrow the Arroyo administration in 2003 and 2007, Trillanes said in Tagalog, “There were soldiers that were approached… An official, who sent word to us, was approached… But they didn’t bite the offer.”

The recruitment started last year, he added. A strong chain of command

The military did not receive such information, according to the AFP spokesperson, adding that the chain of command “remains strong.”

“I can assure you that your Armed Forces of the Philippines remains a professional organization and united and solid behind the leadership of our President and commander-in-chief,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos in Camp Aguinaldo.

Any plot to oust President Aquino does not exist, Burgos noted. “All I can say is… Within the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines —

those in the active service — I can truly say na wala kaming nare-recieve at namo-monitor na ganyang klaseng report,” he said.

President Aquino informed

Trillanes relayed the information to President Aquino, even if he believed such a plot will not succeed.

"It's a propaganda line… Hindi yan magpo-progress kasi, aside from the fact na very clear ang mandate ni President Aquino, talagang wala namang [siyang] ginagawang hindi maganda o maayos," according to the senator.

However, the AFP needs to reactivate its counter-intelligence units to "nip" such movements "in the bud," he noted, saying the military also needs to start an information campaign within its ranks on what is going on.

Trillanes, who was elected to the Senate in 2007 while incarcerated in Quezon City’s Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, was granted amnesty by Aquino in 2010.

‘Grossly exaggerated’

Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, a former Army colonel who led several attempts to overthrow then-President Corazon Aquino, has no information on any movement within the military, saying the so-called red scare is “grossly exaggerated.”

The late President Corazon Aquino is the mother of President Benigno Aquino III.

"Itong sinasabi nating... bipolar condition — communism against democracy — I think passe na ‘yun, hindi na ‘yun existent,” Honasan told reporters in a separate interview.

“We are driven not by ideology anymore but by the realities of the economy," he added.

If such a plot were true, he doubted it would succeed.

"Wala akong nakikitang seryoso na gut issue na mag-uudyok nito. Maaring may mga komentaryo being ventilated in little social gatherings pero not in the magnitude that precipitated the 1986 revolution or the events after that," Honasan said.

Think things over

If he comes across similar information, he will advise soldiers to think things over, according to the senator from Bicol.

"Mag-isip-isip kayo… mag-isip kayo mabuti… kung ito ay makakabuti sa taong-bayan. Mabigat na pasanin ito. You must assume responsibility for the outcome, whether you fail or succeed," said Honasan.

Honasan helped found RAM — Reformed the Armed Forces Movement — a group of officers and soldiers yearning for change, and power, under the regime of then-strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

RAM was instrumental in fomenting the 1986 People Power revolution — which catapulted Corazon Aquino to power — by openly taking sides against the Marcos regime in the wake of the fraud-tainted Feb. 7 snap elections.

Honasan was arrested after a failed coup against the administration of President Corazon Aquino in 1989. He was granted amnesty by then- President Fidel Ramos in 1992. He first became a senator in 1995. — KBK/VS/HS, GMA News

US Formally Offers 2nd Warship to AFP


Defense studies
20 Februari 2012

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAQA8YHtxZc/T0MJ2y1KkBI/AAAAAAAAMRs/7qUr3fRwQ2I/s400/USCGS%2BDallas_Shipspotting.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAQA8YHtxZc/T0MJ2y1KkBI/AAAAAAAAMRs/7qUr3fRwQ2I/s400/USCGS%2BDallas_Shipspotting.jpg
USS Dallas

http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2012/02/us-formally-offers-2nd-warship-to-afp.html

Sana lagyan o iwanan ang missile system o armaments nito pag binigay na sa Pinas.

^^ Malamang. Kasale yan sa defense strategy ng U.S. Boosting the capability of its allies to stand up to China. Expect more military aid from mother America as she shifts her attention from Afghanistan to Asia-Pacific. We will benefit if we know how to play the cards right. ;)

Napaka jejemon talaga ng TV Patol. "Kano" ang tawag nila sa mga US soldiers?

^^ Malamang. Kasale yan sa defense strategy ng U.S. Boosting the capability of its allies to stand up to China. Expect more military aid from mother America as she shifts her attention from Afghanistan to Asia-Pacific. We will benefit if we know how to play the cards right. ;)

That's what all countries are and should be doing naman eh. That's the whole point of international relations. Friends with benefits ika nga. Hehe.
Btw, Mother America?! We haven't called her that since Carlos Romulo and days of the US bases.

Napaka jejemon talaga ng TV Patol. "Kano" ang tawag nila sa mga US soldiers?

Hindi na uso ang Mother America since independent na tayo.:lol:

^^ Well, if we look at the mindset of the Filipinos, were still so dependent to America to a point that she's still considered our 'Mother America'. :D :D :D

Actually, Mercato the term Mexifornia came from the Kanos who are getting tired of the Mehicanos, especially illegals.
Sorry, I still don't buy 'recolonising the Ph:lol: Individual republics as a first resort and your panaginip the very last.
But I still defend your right to dream a cherished dream:lol::lol:Hope springs eternal. :lol: The Reconquista is snowballing y la lucha continua hasta la victoria. :D

The Gringos are at it again. :lol: No need really to change the name to Mexifornia since all or parts of 10 US States were originally from Mexico anyway. :D And along with it the resident Mexicans and Native Americans at the time were incorporated as Americans after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, to wit ~ Alta California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma. :D :D

Ayaw mo nun? :lol: Mayroon tayong nuclear missiles nakatago aimed at every bad bully in the neighbourhood; that's gonna make us one helluva Strong Republic este State indeed.

"If he told me they were not able to "regain lost ground", then I guess we lost one "battalion" (10th Battalion Combat Team), but that wasn't the case.

The total UN loss (AUS, NZ, PHL, JPN, etc) reached 2 divisions as estimated by the Koreans - about 29,000."

A batallion has 450 men more or less. Earlier you mentioned the Philippines lost 6,000 men which is almost a division. Don't believe what your commandant just said. Do your research.

Parang baliktad yata, Chinese lost 6000 men to Filipino soldiers.

Hope springs eternal. :lol: The Reconquista is snowballing y la lucha continua hasta la victoria. :D

The Gringos are at it again. :lol: No need really to change the name to Mexifornia since all or parts of 10 US States were originally from Mexico anyway. :D And along with it the resident Mexicans and Native Americans at the time were incorporated as Americans after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, to wit ~ Alta California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma. :D :D

Ayaw mo nun? :lol: Mayroon tayong nuclear missiles nakatago aimed at every bad bully in the neighbourhood; that's gonna make us one helluva Strong Republic este State indeed.

Hehe. Keep the fire burning. I love these discussions with you anyway.
Kasi para kang isang dalagang pinay na kinikilig sa pagdapit ng US sailor:lol::lol:

http://s14.postimage.org/6anr0n0oh/Screen_Shot_2012_03_05_at_8_52_40_PM.png:rofl:

Hehe. Keep the fire burning. I love these discussions with you anyway.
Kasi para kang isang dalagang pinay na kinikilig sa pagdapit ng US sailor:lol::lol:

http://s14.postimage.org/6anr0n0oh/Screen_Shot_2012_03_05_at_8_52_40_PM.png:rofl:
CP type eabab!:bash:

Jets, radar to boost Phl's territorial defense
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx...bCategoryId=63 (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx...bCategoryId=63)

@jpdm good article this seems to provide a bit more info about several acquisition projects which in the past has caused some confusion .

The PAF would also acquire eight helicopters, seven attack helicopters, a C-130 cargo plane, and a long-range patrol aircraft and 18 basic trainer planes.

The long range patrol aircraft is probably the lone EADS cn295 that was produced in Indonesia that was mentioned a few times last year, we know about the basic trainers .

The interesting part is the helicopters we definetely now know that the paf were not getting the attack helicopter version of the Sokol due to the recent pictures, so this means that on top of the 8 utility sokols there would be several attack helicopters which could then perhaps be the attack helicopter version of the sokol or perhaps another type the speculation now would be what it is going to be .

If they continue to go the Italian route and not take the attack sokol at best it might be the A129 Mangusta or it's Turkish derivative, the Eurocopter Tiger would be the best imo but probably too expensive for the PAF to even contemplate other longshots could be us helicopters wheter cobra or apaches which would be nice too but i think somehow we all know it will be the sokols lol .

three multi-purpose attack aircraft

He said six surface attack jets and trainer aircraft

This one is a bit hard to guess at but it could either mean 3 of the Italian AMX jets or six M346 aermacchi also Italian jet trainers which can also be used for ground attack, the m346 is what i hope for .

----

Ex-AFP officers recruiting soldiers to overthrow PNoy – Trillanes

As my uncle says in the article such a plot would likely not succeed, ram was a different time and i think they need to stop these constant peepsqueek coup attempts it harms the countries image, economy etc .

I don't really care who's president as long as they do the right things and i don't think that pnoy is being a "communist" coz if he was why is he the first prez in a long time to seriously upgrade the PAF ... .

Differences should be solved during elections and not by the gun even then, the military should only be given a real constitutional right to intervene in safeguarding the democratic system if a politician or a president is proven to be so corrupt that it endangers the countries security, or in case any politician or other military officers seek to gain or retain power unconstitutionally either through coups or by using political shenanigans to extend terms etc ... .

Balikatan Exercise 2012 : I hoped the plan re-taking of the Malampaya Gas Platform scenario is still a go and has not been cancelled due to China looking at it as an aggressive military act...


http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/Malampaya-SWP2014.jpg

Malampaya Gas Platform Off the Coast of Palawan in the SCS or WPS ...

Balikatan Exercise 2012 : I hoped the plan re-taking of the Malampaya Gas Platform scenario is still a go and has not been cancelled due to China looking at it as an aggressive military act...


http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m335/filipinas40/Malampaya-SWP2014.jpg

Malampaya Gas Platform Off the Coast of Palawan in the SCS or WPS ...

Why, what happened to the platform?

I thought this is still ongoing with its Gas-to-Power Operations.
Nat gas extracted from the gas fields off the shores of Palawan then delivered through underwater pipelines to the on shore facilities in Batangas for processing and used for power generation.

okey nmn yan ah.. walang problema dyan.. infact madadagdagan pa yan.. kasama sa plataporma ni penoy...

Why, what happened to the platform?

I thought this is still ongoing with its Gas-to-Power Operations.
Nat gas extracted from the gas fields off the shores of Palawan then delivered through underwater pipelines to the on shore facilities in Batangas for processing and used for power generation.

Nothing happen, I'm talking about the upcoming Balikatan Exercise drill scenario this month that will be held on and around the Malampaya gas platform ...

Nothing happen, I'm talking about the upcoming Balikatan Exercise drill scenario this month that will be held on and around the Malampaya gas platform ...

Aah..ok :)

IMO, That drill doesnt look aggressive at all. Malampaya is still within our Territory. Unless the drill invloves advancing into territory that is not of ours

from the Philippine Defense Force /Armed Forces Of The Philippines

facebook group discussion. http://www.facebook.com/groups/352723441416668/

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/420909_312035088860113_100001608745917_893913_1166947297_n.jpg

Hehe. Keep the fire burning. I love these discussions with you anyway.
Kasi para kang isang dalagang pinay na kinikilig sa pagdapit ng US sailor:lol::lol:

http://s14.postimage.org/6anr0n0oh/Screen_Shot_2012_03_05_at_8_52_40_PM.png:rofl:


Sa Subic ba ito :lol::lol::lol:

For a not too serious butt in with Lilyr and Mercato...

Are we not "colonizing" the US through Mail order brides and the bar girls that US servicemen still marry around US bases in Asia? :lol: Rumor has it that there are more Filipina wives in the US Navy in Japan than Japanese wives :lol: Rumor has it too that there are more Pinay Army wives in Korea than South Korean wives :lol:

Subic and Clark are long gone, but the reverse colonization continues :lol::lol::lol:

Altho it is still overwhelming there is a relative decline in US military power so it now has to concentrate itself in fewer regions in order to maintain that lead, the EU basically can take care of the Atlantic, Africa and shares the responsibilities of control of the Persian gulf and western Indian ocean, while the US would now focus more of it's power back to East Asia and SE Asia to keep China contained .

So providing more aid is a two way street altho it is in their interest to do so but of course it should be a partnership and the Phillippins for it's part should raise it's own defence spending as a % of GDP to at least 1,5% to begin with and later on perhaps up to 2%, just to show both to the US and China that it is also serious about its own defence .

I agree. I think the US is not much needed in Europe, except in cases of attack and Eurabiazation ..but hey, it IS Europe.

Huh, ba't nadawit angelic name ko? :lol: :lol:

bueno, if my tongue is angelic (dilang anghel) no harm pushin our luck a bit further. :lol:
I wish for the Phils to become the 51st Autonomous State (more autonomy & distinct from the other Federal States) of the USA. :cool: Why? Hell, it solves a lotta things ... to wit
1. I just realized kapagod na pala pakisamahan ang lekat na inggiterong Truly Asia. Tutal, if the future is ASEAN with KL in the centre, wag na 'toy. Wag na sa kanila na lang. It would mean Sharia Law for all, their unique political structure based on either race or religion or both. NVM, forget it. Sabah at Minsupala magiging kanila pa.
2. If the future is China, mas lalong wag na. No need to elabourate no.
3. Manila will become once again like that Manila Pearl of the Orient early '30s vid. :lol:
4. It will strengthen our ties with our Pacific Islander and Latin brethren. FAce it, in 50 more years it won't be USA anymore but Estados Unidos Mexicanos. :lol:
5. Filipinas will be the gateway of the USA to mainland Asia. Great hub of economic activity.
6. We can station several MIRVs aimed directly at North Korea, China and Iran. :lol:
7. needless to say, Spratley Issue resolved by the US Navy. :lol:
8. Sabah Issue resolved by US Marines. :lol:
9. We can all go visit our relatives in California.
10. Our corrupt to the core congressmen, oligarchs, dynasties at lahat na nabubuhay sa padrino system will go bust. pffffft. :pepper:
11. The Pacific will become one huge Pax Americana stretching from California to Alaska to Hawaii to the Philippines. :lol:

Good points...

However, I have worry...


In case that happens, the PH becomes 51 state, we will face more problem on illegals than CA, AZ and TX combined. Of course, we won't be flooded my mehikanos but by intsiks, viets, thais, cambodians, truly asia, indonesians and probably koreans illegally.

Heck, in our third world state, we have 100,000 (estimate) uncodumented instiks and tens of thousands of illegal Koreans

And the US Federal law is known not to be too harsh on illegals unlike Philippine laws.


:lol::lol::lol:

Guys, just a thought....I hope our officials would think that it is important to maintain the good and cordial relationship with China based on historical ties that can be traced long before the Spaniards colonized our islands. :)



18th century Chinese merchant vessel discovered in Philippines

New Delhi, Mar 4 : Philippines has confirmed the recovery of an 18th century Chinese Merchant Vessel in the Roxas City sea in Central Philippines.



The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday that the Philippine National Museum had validated the recovery.

Junior Grade Jimmy Oliver Gingno, station commander of PCG- Roxas told local media that he received the report of the museum, English.news.cn reported.

"Personnel from the National Museum conducted an exploration in the sea in February. They validated the findings on the broken porcelains found inside the vessel as antique," said Gingno.

http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-167774.html

Interesting...

I just hope, they won't claim Panay islands next :lol:

This should be interesting...

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120305a5.html

SDF to join U.S.-Filipino military drill
Kyodo

The Self-Defense Forces will participate for the first time in joint annual military exercises involving U.S. and Filipino forces in the Philippines from the end of this month to April, Japanese and Filipino diplomatic sources said Saturday.

Australia and South Korea are also expected to take part for the first time in the exercises, called "Balikatan," a Filipino word meaning "shoulder to shoulder."

The multilateralization of the exercise apparently reflects a move by the United States to stand up to China's recent provocations in the South China Sea.

Japan will take part in a simulated exercise that is premised on a major earthquake and that is to be performed as part of the same exercise. The decision to make it a disaster training exercise was taken to avoid excessively provoking China, but the exercise, which has until now been focused on antiterrorism training, now emphasizes multilateral cooperation with China in mind, the military diplomatic sources said.

Some member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations such as Vietnam and Singapore will also participate.

The Japanese Defense Ministry will send two field grade SDF officials and is deciding whether to participate as an observer. A defense official said that there is a desire to display a Japanese presence in Southeast Asia, with the Japan-U.S. alliance serving as a linchpin.

Balikatan has been held annually by U.S. and Filipino forces since 2000. According to the military diplomatic sources, the exercises assume that a major earthquake has taken place in Manila. A simulation will be performed in which the U.S. and Philippine forces and other countries' militaries jointly assume the command of information collection and rescue activities as a command post exercise. It will last one week starting in April.

The main staging area of this year's Balikatan will be off Palawan Island in the South China Sea, and nearby waters.

This should be interesting...

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120305a5.html

I hope they use their Japanese flag and not include the other one:)

Any chance related to this?

Balikatan 2012 is the 28th iteration of PH-US bilateral Exercise but it will be the first ever multilateral event wherein other countries will be involved in the Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response (HA/DR) Exercise from April 16-27, 2012. Other participating countries are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea. The scenario includes a response to a large scale natural disaster centered on the Metro Manila Area.
-http://vfacom.ph

I hope they use their Japanese flag and not include the other one:)

Any chance related to this?

I believe it is. I read it somewhere, let me look for it again. It's a very interesting development actually, it's "multinational". Preparing for something?

I wonder what the leftists say.:nuts:

I agree. I think the US is not much needed in Europe, except in cases of attack and Eurabiazation ..but hey, it IS Europe.

The US has simply become sidelined in Europe it no longer has the power or much of the influence it once had which was based on past mutual interests, the post cold war order continued US influence as long as they didn't rocked the boat too much however Bush and the Iraq war had ended such understandings, since then along with the creation of the Euro and the further integration of Euroland European geopolitics has now become predominantly led by the Franco/German alliance which runs the EU and the Eurozone .

Russia has turned the tide with regards the various US/UK orchestrated colour revolutions in Russia's sphere of influence having unseated most of those regimes, while the Georgian war had disabused eastern European states of the notion that the US can save them from Russia and it's Franco/German allies with respect to geopolitics on the European continent .

As for threats no country in the world is capable of truelly threatening Europe as it has close to two hundred frigates, corvettes or destroyers more battle tanks and armoured vehicles, artillery pieces and more soldiers 3 million men etc than even the US military .

But if ever such a threat were to exist the EU which currently is at peace and spends just 1,5% of gdp on defence or equal to the entire worlds defence spending minus the US it could simply double it's defence budget to 3 % of gdp which would immediately dwarf the US defence budget at 4%, also compared to other countries the EU still has the worlds largest industrial production capacity the technology and capital to match any need for rapid militarisation .

But before things even get that far it has many other tools to deal with beligerent countries from financial or economic sanctions and through other political means, and finally if things get past such stages several EU members have enough SLBM's and other nuke types to wipe out any country from the face of the earth whitin minutes .

HMqekN2nXhQ
M51 SLBM with it's range of over 10.000 kilometers and a top speed of mach 25 it and the 10 or so stealthy nuclear warheads it carries can reach any point on earth whitin half an hour, on one of the featured submarine launched test the slbm hit it's target some 2000 kilometers east of South Carolina .

As for "Arabization" there are more African Americans as a % of the US population than there are all allochtone or non European immigrants in the EU as a % of it's population, such absurd notions stem mainly from the weirdo dumb and dumber wingnuts of the American population .

I believe it is. I read it somewhere, let me look for it again. It's a very interesting development actually, it's "multinational". Preparing for something?

I wonder what the leftists say.:nuts:

Forget the KSP leftists (parati naman luma yung mga rason nila). I wonder if the Chinese gongs are going off. Looks like they are not going to be included in the multilateral drills.:lol:

The US has simply become sidelined in Europe it no longer has the power or much of the influence it once had which was based on past mutual interests, the post cold war order continued US influence as long as they didn't rocked the boat too much however Bush and the Iraq war had ended such understandings, since then along with the creation of the Euro and the further integration of Euroland European geopolitics has now become predominantly led by the Franco/German alliance which runs the EU and the Eurozone .

Russia has turned the tide with regards the various US/UK orchestrated colour revolutions in Russia's sphere of influence having unseated most of those regimes, while the Georgian war had disabused eastern European states of the notion that the US can save them from Russia and it's Franco/German allies with respect to geopolitics on the European continent .

As for threats no country in the world is capable of truelly threatening Europe as it has close to two hundred frigates, corvettes or destroyers more battle tanks and armoured vehicles, artillery pieces and more soldiers 3 million men etc than even the US military .

But if ever such a threat were to exist the EU which currently is at peace and spends just 1,5% of gdp on defence or equal to the entire worlds defence spending minus the US it could simply double it's defence budget to 3 % of gdp which would immediately dwarf the US defence budget at 4%, also compared to other countries the EU still has the worlds largest industrial production capacity the technology and capital to match any need for rapid militarisation .

But before things even get that far several EU members have enough SLBM's and other nuke types to wipe out any country from the face of the earth whitin minutes, and before it even get this far either it has many other tools to deal with beligerent countries from financial or economic sanctions and through other political means .

HMqekN2nXhQ
M51 SLBM with it's range of over 10.000 kilometers and a top speed of mach 25 it and the 10 or so stealthy nuclear warheads it carries can reach any point on earth whitin half an hour, on one of the featured submarine launched test the slbm hit it's target some 2000 kilometers east of South Carolina .

As for "Arabization" there are more African Americans as a % of the US population than there are all allochtone or non European immigrants in the EU as a % of it's population, such absurd concerns stem mainly from the weirdo dumb and dumber wingnuts of the American population .

I've read that it's some sort of a European Cold War between to factions, the Franco-German alliance with the Eurozone vs the alliance of the United States and Great Britain. The British have ever been detached from Europe, they are even still using the British pound when the entire eurozone has the Euro and still sticks to it's alliance with the United States.

Well it's a bit complicated the EU and the US are allies in the wider scheme of things but whitin the alliance there are internal struggles and issues just as with any relationship .

Basically the US and the UK economy and their ability to remain top dog rests with their financial sectors and the world economic system that was created post ww2 and the gold standard, mainly the petrodollar sort of pyramid scheme which ties in countries like Saudi Arabia .

In this triangle Opec dominated by Saudi promised to keep using the $ for oil transactions in return for US protection of their regime which is why the US always take care of the Saudi's like well like royalty, this means however that alot of countries in the world require $$$ in order to buy oil, the UK is involved in massive financial trading and other transactions making London one of the worlds largest financial centers which is where the UK comes into the picture .

So basically the US get's real goods and services from the rest of the world today mainly from east Asia in exchange for pieces of papers or iou's called "$", meanwhile the countries that have an excess of $ and oil countries which then accumulate these otherwise worthless pieces of paper have to do something useful with them since they can't use it in their own countries they send and recycle it back to the USA and some of that via the UK .

This is a rather simplistic explanation but anyway the advent of the Euro has created the first true rival currency to challenge the status quo since after ww2 when the $ took over from the British £, also you can't have a shared economy without in the end having other shared policies and interests which means and is the case that the Eurozone or Euroland is coalsecing into a new country with an economy easily the size of the USA it does mean another big dog on the block .

For the US the advent of the Euro has meant a decrease of the $ role as world currency reserve as the € is starting to eat up it's share and thus threatening the fragile pyramid scheme that allows the US to basically live on it's credit card of recycled $$$ from hardworking slave labouring east asians which have to send over most of their savings every month back to the US .

For the British they fear both being marginalised in the European Union if the Eurozone becomes more powerfull because it would mean a de facto control of EU policy by France and Germany and other Eurozone members which now would have common needs and interests forming a bloc whitin the bloc, and on the other hand the UK fear the city of London losing it's status as one of the worlds premier financial centers and of course the loss of British influence in EU affairs mean it can no longer be Washingtons trojan horse or insider whitin the EU to steer things towards it's direction thus losing relevance and importance in washington aswell leading to a sort of double whammy loss of influence in EU and US, so these are mainly the British fears on the matter .

Also the British had always feared a unified European continent because they know that anyone who can control it's huge potential would essentially be able to become a super power like Napoleon or the Roman empire, so since the end of the Napoleonic wars Britain has always sought to keep the continent divided for fear of a powerful unified force emerging .

It is a bit complicated to really flesh out in any simple way but basically the Euro is changing the world economic order of things which threatens the $ pyramid scheme and the US-UK alliances ability to simply print money at will and live on credit, and of course other countries are also realising this achilles heel of US power so countries like China or Russia, Iran etc are trying to sideline the $'s role in their bilateral trade and transactions or in oil etc .

Military power is highly dependent on money and ressources to sustain it and it is no coincidence that finance and lending or debt was really developed to a new level by the British .

In the 17th century to fund it's need to build a large navy after successive defeats against the French and other leading Euro states like the Dutch had left it's fleet burning on it's shores the British state was broke and needed large sums of money asap to build a new fleet, so they created the "Bank of England" and charged it with promoting an investment scheme where all sorts of people lend the state money now and got paid interest% at a later date, this incentive and scheme worked as money flowed in which the state then used to fund the industries to build the large numbers of advanced battleships of the line of their day, thus also ushering in what became known as the "industrial age" and why after Napoleons defeat Britain became the worlds super power until it's final decline during ww2 culminating in 1956 and the events of the suez crisis which truelly cemented the $ as the worlds main reserve currency .

The era that followed the end of the British empire is no less fascinating and links alot of the worlds current realities and situation but that's another longwinded story lol .

^^ So that explains well why Britain have had always an 'on and off' relationship with France and even sided with Prussia at one point in time. They fear the likes of Hitler and Napoleon emerging that could threaten their hold of Europe.

Well it was called the "balance of power" politics

Sir Esme Howard wrote that England adopted the balance of power as "a corner-stone of English policy, unconsciously during the sixteenth, subconsciously during the seventeenth, and consciously during the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, because for England it represented the only plan of preserving her own independence, political and economic".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_of_power_in_international_relations

The idea was to make sure that on the playing field other players are not so much more larger than you are and that they don't gang up on you so that you can still be somewhat of a match, so it's not exactly British hold on Europe but rather to preserve a blance where they had a chance of surviving against a more or less equal opponent and not something that is too overpowering to resist .

In the global context i do support what the French and Russians call a "multi polar world order" which means multiple centers of power and not concentrated say in Washington, but with regards the Phillippines and the situation in East Asia i am compelled to support US power and hegemony simply because of the need to balance out China which sort of is a wierd and rather contradictory situation for me .

But things could change if asean could become more integrated because then there would be less of a need for the US or other foreign powers to balance China out as a more closely integrated asean would then have enough combined strength to defend its own interests .

Well it was called the "balance of power" politics



The idea was to make sure that on the playing field other players are not so much more larger than you are and that they don't gang up on you so that you can still be somewhat of a match, so it's not exactly British hold on Europe but rather to preserve a blance where they had a chance of surviving against a more or less equal opponent and not something that is too overpowering to resist .

In the global context i do support what the French and Russians call a "multi polar world order" which means multiple centers of power and not concentrated say in Washington, but with regards the Phillippines and the situation in East Asia i am compelled to support US power and hegemony simply because of the need to balance out China which sort of is a wierd and rather contradictory situation for me .

But things could change if asean could become more integrated because then there would be less of a need for the US or other foreign powers to balance China out as a more closely integrated asean would then have enough combined strength to defend its own interests .

Not to mention it would take a load off the US' back (and less aid that Pinoys don't get to see anyway). The problem is, ASEAN is about as useful as a figurehead, you have to admit.

^^ Well, if we look at the mindset of the Filipinos, were still so dependent to America to a point that she's still considered our 'Mother America'. :D :D :D

You know Kanos don't like hanger-ons, ken. They throw out their kids after 18. :)I imagine we must be the occasional baby Bondjing that they are trying to get out of their basement.

Ahem, incidentally this is an interesting read on the subject: http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntewell/5498920672/

'Large scale' PH, U.S.military exercises set:banana:

AFP News – 12 hours ago

The Philippines said Wednesday it would hold large-scale military exercises with the United States next month near an area where it is locked in a tense sea territorial row with China.

The manoeuvres, an annual event which this year will involve nearly 7,000 troops, will reinforce the close military ties between the longtime allies, armed forces chief Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa said.

"The cooperation between the two armed forces manifests the unswerving dedication and commitment of our security forces towards a more stable and secure Asia-Pacific region," Dellosa said in a statement.

About 4,500 US troops will join 2,300 Filipino counterparts in various exercises on the main island of Luzon and in Palawan from April 16 to 27.

Palawan is an island on the Philippines' southwest coast facing the South China Sea.

China and Taiwan claim all of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims to parts of it.

The territorial dispute over the waters, which are believed to sit atop vast deposits of gas and oil, has for decades been regarded as one of Asia's potential military flashpoints.

Tensions rose last year after the Philippines and Vietnam accused China of becoming increasingly aggressive in staking its claims.

The Philippines alleged last year that Chinese vessels fired on Filipino fishermen and harassed an oil exploration vessel in its waters.

The Philippines responded by calling for stepped-up military ties with the United States, triggering an angry response from China which does not want American involvement in the dispute.

The Philippine military declined to say exactly where in Palawan, or which waters off the island, that next month's military exercises would take place.

"There are different places of engagements (in Palawan)," Major Emmanuel Garcia, spokesman for the Philippine contingent, told AFP, refusing to name specific locations.

China claims waters close to the western edge of Palawan. However waters to the eastern side of Palawan are uncontested by China.

The US embassy in Manila said in a statement the exercises would include computer simulated command post drills, multiple field exercises, as well as medical, engineering, humanitarian and civic activities.

The exercises are called Balikatan, a Filipino word meaning shoulder-to-shoulder.

Twenty participants from other Southeast Asian countries are also expected to take part in the drills, the US embassy statement said.


http://ph.news.yahoo.com/us-philippines-set-joint-military-exercises-085256283.html

You know Kanos don't like hanger-ons, ken. They throw out their kids after 18. :)I imagine we must be the occasional baby Bondjing that they are trying to get out of their basement.

Ahem, incidentally this is an interesting read on the subject: http://www.flickr.com/photos/johntewell/5498920672/

I do know that. I like that kind of upbringing. Teaching the kids to be financially independent and be captains of themselves. Not the ordinary Filipino style of extensive families where if one goes down so does everyone else.

Well, we can still see how dependent the Philippines is to her mother colonizer. The U.S cannot just shrug it off as they, same as the U.K to the Commonwealth, raised the Philippines as a structure similar to its own. It's a 'patron-client' relationship. Subconsciously, the Philippines continues to cling to it's former master because of the relationship that was built in to us during our time as an American colony.

from the Philippine Defense Force /Armed Forces Of The Philippines

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Kaya pala naubos na lokal na galunggong dahil sa mga gunggong na pouchers na ito!
More USG Cutters please kahit luma na at bulok! :lol:Puede na keysa wala!Now na!:cheers:

dapat dyan yung makina nyan kahuyin at yung buong structure ng fishing vessel gawing uling...

dp

In the global context i do support what the French and Russians call a "multi polar world order" which means multiple centers of power and not concentrated say in Washington, but with regards the Phillippines and the situation in East Asia i am compelled to support US power and hegemony simply because of the need to balance out China which sort of is a wierd and rather contradictory situation for me .

But things could change if asean could become more integrated because then there would be less of a need for the US or other foreign powers to balance China out as a more closely integrated asean would then have enough combined strength to defend its own interests .

Not to mention it would take a load off the US' back (and less aid that Pinoys don't get to see anyway). The problem is, ASEAN is about as useful as a figurehead, you have to admit.

ASEAN is nothing but a "paper". The only good thing we got out of it was the 21 day visa free visits to ASEAN countries. Other than that, I think we are wasting money for ASEAN summits. Like the ASEAN was able to do something about Cambodia and Myanmar except for admitting the dictatorial states.

Even as regards to China, ASEAN proves to be not reliable. As much as I do not want to admit it, looks like we need to turn to the US, and to some extent Europe and Australia for security reasons. Only a few countries will be willing to defend the interest of ASEAN. Of the claimants, only the Philippines and Vietnam seem to be vocal against China's claims and are very against bilateral talks. Malaysia and Brunei are too silent. Maybe, afraid to offend China. It is ironic that some non-claimants country like Singapore and I think Indonesia has at least spoken out questioning China's intentions in the West Philippine Sea.

These countries may owe big bucks to China but I don't think they will let China control the trade in the "West Philippine Sea". I do not believe that the Spratly issue is merely territorial and about oil. It's about the control of the busy trade route. China is the only country (and to some extent Vietnam) who is claiming almost the whole sea as theirs -- something that not even the European colonizers did not even dare.

It's ironic. This part of the world that is so "used" to "colonization" seem to fear China's quest for "modern vassal states" a lot. I think it stems from the fact that Beijing seem unpredictable and quite a mood swing while we can easily predict what Western countries are going to do. Although the West is not always transparent, by large they are a lot more transparent than China is. Or maybe, it's just easier to read their minds

I am not sure how reliable this is but I read somewhere that Ho Chi Minh once said that he would rather eat French $h!t over Chinese $h!t because after all, the French will eventually leave but the Chinese will never.

^^ siguro mas magiging desperado ang china ngayon... many reports on press releases that china's economy are slowing... mostly on unemployment rates...

^^ And they're self-destruct time bomb is ticking. It's just a matter of time when China's aged population outnumbers its labor force and starts to enter a crisis and economic collapse. We'll see where their hegemonic dreams would go. The U.S and the West are better allies against China. At the least they have been proven to be trustworthy allies.

Anyway, whether the Philippines admit it or not, we are still one of the most if not the most westernized nations in the world and we are aligned with the west. Then, now, and ever.

^^ China has also a problem with income distribution. Only the coastal areas are rich. In the interiors of the mainland, many people struggle to survive There are also many unrest in those areas.

That is why do not be surprised that despite China's growing economy and having displaced Japan as next to the US in terms of GDP, do not forget we have 100,000 ILLEGAL Chinese in the Philippines.

^^ And they're self-destruct time bomb is ticking. It's just a matter of time when China's aged population outnumbers its labor force and starts to enter a crisis and economic collapse..


China's pending economic collapse is a regional problem. If that happened it will also affect us regardless of our economic stature by that time.

The U.S and the West are better allies against China. At the least they have been proven to be trustworthy allies.


AFAIK, it's only US and Asian countries who are against China growing military ambitions. Other Euro-Countries aren't bother with China's rise to power since it's not a direct threat to them. And also I read before that some NATO countries would want to lift the arms embargo on China to build a harmonic relationship with them.


Anyway, whether the Philippines admit it or not, we are still one of the most if not the most westernized nations in the world and we are aligned with the west. Then, now, and ever.

Being aligned with the west is really a terrible idea.

^^ of course because it it primarily Asian countries that share borders with China. It's actually amazing that China has border problems with most of it's neighbors. It's already been bad with India in 1960s, Bhutan does not even recognize its existence of any Chinese state, Japan and Korea are having increased maritime disputes with China. The same with the Philippines and Vietnam. Even Singapore, a country whose population is 75% ethnic Chinese and a non-claimant once questioned the real scope of China's claim and intentions.

As for the Spartly's claim, only China is the one that does NOT want MULTI-lateral talks.

China's unpredictability and mood swings vs the West's predictability. Kenken's idea isn't terrible. It would be more terrible to just say yes to China's deals and maritime illegal claims and bilateral talks joke.

Even Arvor, although quite harsh a critic of the US, prefers to stick to US hegemony to counterbalance China. That says a lot about China.

China's pending economic collapse is a regional problem. If that happened it will also affect us regardless of our economic stature by that time.



AFAIK, it's only US and Asian countries who are against China growing military ambitions. Other Euro-Countries aren't bother with China's rise to power since it's not a direct threat to them. And also I read before that some NATO countries would want to lift the arms embargo on China to build a harmonic relationship with them.



Being aligned with the west is really a terrible idea.

How so? You'd have to explain that to us. Kenken's merely pointing out facts, whether you like it or not. The West is already part of our history/heritage unless you want to build a time machine to ensure the Phils being pure Filipino. Oh I forgot because there was no such thing as a pure Filipino even before Magellan.:nuts:
Are you afraid of us being too dependent on them militarily? Because that's something the PH government would have to take care of if there are really sincere about making the country self-sufficient. But take note, even strong countries need allies.

How so? You'd have to explain that to us. Kenken's merely pointing out facts, whether you like it or not. The West is already part of our history/heritage unless you want to build a time machine to ensure the Phils being pure Filipino. Oh I forgot because there was no such thing as a pure Filipino even before Magellan.:nuts:
Are you afraid of us being too dependent on them militarily? Because that's something the PH government would have to take care of if there are really sincere about making the country self-sufficient. But take note, even strong countries need allies.

Countries with stronger militaries retain the US bases and close military ties


Mga Pilipino kasi inuuna ang machismo

I remember reading a join exercise proposed by Australia years back. Any updates on that? I think that is a wonderful idea. We don't have much close military ties to Australia though I have read in some reports that they are sending some aid and training

Countries with stronger militaries retain the US bases and close military ties


Mga Pilipino kasi inuuna ang machismo

I remember reading a join exercise proposed by Australia years back. Any updates on that? I think that is a wonderful idea. We don't have much close military ties to Australia though I have read in some reports that they are sending some aid and training

I believe they have proposed a military treaty similar to Balikatan or MDT. But it's still sitting in the Senate, awaiting ratification.

I believe they have proposed a military treaty similar to Balikatan or MDT. But it's still sitting in the Senate, awaiting ratification.

it sucks that it's still sitting in the senate. I think it's a great idea. In case of any incidences, it will be easier for Philippine and Australian troops to coordinate if we have something similar to MDT or Balikatan

Oh I forgot because there was no such thing as a pure Filipino even before Magellan.:nuts:


We already had natural inhabitants before Magellan et al came to the country. They came from micronesia, melanesia and polynesia group.

How so? You'd have to explain that to us. Kenken's merely pointing out facts, whether you like it or not.

I know.

But as i said being aligned with West is a terrible idea. We might get dragged into unnecessary event we aren't oblige to begin with.

After a long neglect in the Asia Pacific, US just trying to relevant again in Asia by shifting it's policies from Middle East to Asia Pacific. US ally like Pakistan received more hardware and aids than u. We are not a priority considering our long history and deep ties with them. We were nearly abandoned by US, but we welcomed them again with open arms (and legs). For me, It's really a disgusting episode in our history.

China will rise and become a superpower and there's nothing we could do about it. But for now, US is a great deterrent against China's rising military ambition, but there's no way freaking we could contain them. The inevitable will happen, we just have to be prepared and choose sides if necessary.

We already had natural inhabitants before Magellan et al came to the country. They came from micronesia, melanesia and polynesia group.



I know.

But as i said being aligned with West is a terrible idea. After a long neglect in this , US just trying to relevant again in Asia by shifting it's policies from Middle East to Asia Pacific. God! we're nearly abandoned by US, but welcomed them again with open arms (and legs).

China will rise and become a superpower and there's nothing we could do but to be self-sufficient. For now, US is a great deterrent against China's rising military ambition, but there's no way freaking we could contain them. The inevitable will happen, we just have to be prepared.

It is NOT the US who neglected us. We neglected ourselves. After we KICKED them out, they didn't abolish the MDT, right? They even offered VFA which the leftists and some dumb politicians want to abolish. What did we do with our military capabilities when we KICKED them out in name of "nationalism"?

People complaining about being neglected forgot that WE KICKED THEM OUT in the early 1990's. Let's be thankful that they did NOT abolish the MDT. If I remember right, the vice president of the US back them even came to the Philippines

The US or any other country is NOT responsible for our defense. It is SOLELY ours. Are we going to be a state paying for mercenaries or begging for aid to protect our territory?

Yes, choosing sides will be necessary. By large, it is a better idea to side with the West than with China. Not only are we used to Western hegemony but also it is easier to predict what Westerners will do compared to the Chinese who by large are very vague in their statements, unpredictable and have mood swings and seem to be taking Sun Tzu seriously.

Remember that China does not want multi-lateral talks about the WPS and Spratly's. That says A LOT on negotiating interest with them or at least coming with a fair compromise. The Chinese do not want compromise it seems.

Remember what Ho Chi Minh(allegedly) say about eating French $h!t and Chinese $h!t

China being an economic star is just a medium-term one. With the extremist policies of the ruling party about controlling its population is making China embark on a suicide mission where it can never turn back. They started something irreversible, and if indeed they are able to survive an impending economic disaster, it will still take them too long to recover.

Do not be too hopeful about China's economy. China is not the only potential global powers out there. China is just one of the BRICs, not all of them. I dare not underestimate the potential of India, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia and the emerging Asian economies.

And why not go with the U.S? I do not think we should just allow China to flex its muscles freely and be submissive. We should perhaps adopt the same foreign policy as that of England, a concept of balance of power in Asia. Where no country can have power enough to overwhelm us and threaten our independence. U.S and Japan are just some of our traditional allies available to counterbalance China.

Power corrupts and if we let China do as it wants, it'll end up dominating the world. A country that has so much internal conflicts do not deserve to be a superpower, China needs to graduate from its Cold War style view of the west and start reforming itself for the good of all.

China being an economic star is just a medium-term one. With the extremist policies of the ruling party about controlling its population is making China embark on a suicide mission where it can never turn back. They started something irreversible, and if indeed they are able to survive an impending economic disaster, it will still take them too long to recover.

Do not be too hopeful about China's economy. China is not the only potential global powers out there. China is just one of the BRICs, not all of them. I dare not underestimate the potential of India, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia and the emerging Asian economies.

And why not go with the U.S? I do not think we should just allow China to flex its muscles freely and be submissive. We should perhaps adopt the same foreign policy as that of England, a concept of balance of power in Asia. Where no country can have power enough to overwhelm us and threaten our independence. U.S and Japan are just some of our traditional allies available to counterbalance China.

Power corrupts and if we let China do as it wants, it'll end up dominating the world. A country that has so much internal conflicts do not deserve to be a superpower, China needs to graduate from its Cold War style view of the west and start reforming itself for the good of all.

Yes, India. They have lots of young professionals, not aging population :lol:

The main problem we have with China is that unlike other countries where we can at least negotion in partial to our interest, we cannot do with China. As simple as having MULTI-lateral talks with China, we cannot achieve. Most claimants want MULTI-lateral talks, China wants the old fashioned bilateral talks that divides and conquers

Again, the alleged Ho Chi Minh "eating French vs Chinese $h!t" quote :lol:

We already had natural inhabitants before Magellan et al came to the country. They came from micronesia, melanesia and polynesia group.

And they were trading and cohabiting with Chinese, Indian et al settlers...
Btw, the Negritos would be our equivalent of Native American Indians.

I know.

But as i said being aligned with West is a terrible idea. We might get dragged into unnecessary event we aren't oblige to begin with.

Talk of unecessary?! Whose bright idea was it anyway to call the US for help when Chinese resume poking around the isles even after all our kowtowing to them (China).Sigh. Para mo namang sinabi na isyu nila ang Spratlys at hindi atin:lol: and btw, the US doesnt need Spratlys oil and gas. They would welcome it, of course as part of trade by whoever offered. But the bulk of their oil and gas supply comes from Canada and Mexico after domestic production.
Their only interest in the Pacific is to keep the sea lanes open for international trade. That's it. The Spratlys issue is more of "unecesscarry event" to them than it is to the Philippines. Which is why they're not taking sides. Besides,last I checked the news it was the United States saying "...welcomed the Philippines’ offer to allow more US troops on its territory..." and not the Ph.

Please don't tell me you're also thinking of WW2. You seem to forget that China had Nanjing massacre and they were never a colony. They weren't dragged into the war by anyone except the Japanese (same with Thailand).

After a long neglect in the Asia Pacific, US just trying to relevant again in Asia by shifting it's policies from Middle East to Asia Pacific. US ally like Pakistan received more hardware and aids than u. We are not a priority considering our long history and deep ties with them. We were nearly abandoned by US, but we welcomed them again with open arms (and legs). For me, It's really a disgusting episode in our history.

This is just proof that it's the PH who's been courting the US all this time. You make us sound like a crybaby. Oh please Mother America, why you leave us ?:cry:. Anak ng Pating. Don't tell me you're jealous of Pakistan, which just happens to be a bad marriage they can't do without.
Remember what GMA did after the Iraq pullout debacle? She started knocking on China's door. I don't see Pinoys raising a fuss over that sudden closeness either. Not until the NBN-zte and the hanging of Pinoy drug mules:smug:


Oh and btw, it has been confirmed in various articles/documentaries ad nausem that the Philippines is the biggest recipient of US aid in Asia. Ayaw mo pa nun. Seriously, what more do we want? Kaya nga pinagtatawanan tayong neo-colony.

China will rise and become a superpower and there's nothing we could do about it. But for now, US is a great deterrent against China's rising military ambition, but there's no way freaking we could contain them. The inevitable will happen, we just have to be prepared and choose sides if necessary.

I think you're grossly overestimating Chinese military might (and GDP). I'm not being blindly pro-American but the status superpower means more than military might. You seem to think that just because US has a global military means superpower status. Here read this fyi -http://www.dougsrepublic.com/20100621-econ-superpower.php

ASEAN is nothing but a "paper". The only good thing we got out of it was the 21 day visa free visits to ASEAN countries. Other than that, I think we are wasting money for ASEAN summits. Like the ASEAN was able to do something about Cambodia and Myanmar except for admitting the dictatorial states.

I don't blame you for not able to feel the perks of being an ASEAN member but most of the achievements of ASEAN are mostly in the economic side. You will feel the effect if your in the business industry or an investor with all those FTA within ASEAN, China, Japan and S. Korea. The free visa within ASEAN are the ones felt directly by the people.

With all the issues happening today about territorial disputes and power struggle between a superpower and a budding superpower, and not to mention the rising economy and influence of ASEAN, most definitely time can only tell when ASEAN will have its own established military might which can defend its own and influence other nations.

It is NOT the US who neglected us. We neglected ourselves. After we KICKED them out, they didn't abolish the MDT, right? They even offered VFA which the leftists and some dumb politicians want to abolish. What did we do with our military capabilities when we KICKED them out in name of "nationalism"?

People complaining about being neglected forgot that WE KICKED THEM OUT in the early 1990's. Let's be thankful that they did NOT abolish the MDT. If I remember right, the vice president of the US back them even came to the Philippines

The US or any other country is NOT responsible for our defense. It is SOLELY ours. Are we going to be a state paying for mercenaries or begging for aid to protect our territory?

Yes, choosing sides will be necessary. By large, it is a better idea to side with the West than with China. Not only are we used to Western hegemony but also it is easier to predict what Westerners will do compared to the Chinese who by large are very vague in their statements, unpredictable and have mood swings and seem to be taking Sun Tzu seriously.

Remember that China does not want multi-lateral talks about the WPS and Spratly's. That says A LOT on negotiating interest with them or at least coming with a fair compromise. The Chinese do not want compromise it seems.

Remember what Ho Chi Minh(allegedly) say about eating French $h!t and Chinese $h!t

Hmm. I don't know which version is correct. Yours or mine? Because from what I've read, the VFA was proposed by the Philippines in 1998 (under Eraps admin:lol:) as some sort of response to, well, a certain neighbor's fishing structures:lol: Miriam was even one of the supporters/sponsors:lol:

Talk of unecessary?! Whose bright idea was it anyway to call the US for help when Chinese resume poking around the isles even after all our kowtowing to them (China).Sigh. Para mo namang sinabi na isyu nila ang Spratlys at hindi atin:lol: and btw, the US doesnt need Spratlys oil and gas. They would welcome it, of course as part of trade by whoever offered. But the bulk of their oil and gas supply comes from Canada and Mexico after domestic production.
Their only interest in the Pacific is to keep the sea lanes open for international trade. That's it. The Spratlys issue is more of "unecesscarry event" to them than it is to the Philippines. Which is why they're not taking sides. Besides,last I checked the news it was the United States saying "...welcomed the Philippines’ offer to allow more US troops on its territory..." and not the Ph.

Please don't tell me you're also thinking of WW2. You seem to forget that China had Nanjing massacre and they were never a colony. They weren't dragged into the war by anyone except the Japanese (same with Thailand).



This is just proof that it's the PH who's been courting the US all this time. You make us sound like a crybaby. Oh please Mother America, why you leave us ?:cry:. Anak ng Pating. Don't tell me you're jealous of Pakistan, which just happens to be a bad marriage they can't do without.
Remember what GMA did after the Iraq pullout debacle? She started knocking on China's door. I don't see Pinoys raising a fuss over that sudden closeness either. Not until the NBN-zte and the hanging of Pinoy drug mules:smug:


Oh and btw, it has been confirmed in various articles/documentaries ad nausem that the Philippines is the biggest recipient of US aid in Asia. Ayaw mo pa nun. Seriously, what more do we want? Kaya nga pinagtatawanan tayong neo-colony.



I think you're grossly overestimating Chinese military might (and GDP). I'm not being blindly pro-American but the status superpower means more than military might. You seem to think that just because US has a global military means superpower status. Here read this fyi -http://www.dougsrepublic.com/20100621-econ-superpower.php

I just realized that he mentioned that our ancestors came from Polynesia, Melanesia group...that theory has been abandoned decades ago though I understand they still teach it in the Philippines.:lol:

New theory now is that present day Filipinos originated from mainland China, specifically the southern part.

It is quite eery that a certain tribe (non-Han) in China has a very similar "rice terraces" to those of the Igorots in the north. I think it's called dragonback or something.

Speaking of the NBN deal. The anger was toward Arroyo, no one was criticizing the Chinese company for consenting GMA's corruption. I think they were angry because the deal was cancelled rather than the deal being surrounded with corruption:ohno:

Hmm. I don't know which version is correct. Yours or mine? Because from what I've read, the VFA was proposed by the Philippines in 1998 (under Eraps admin:lol:) as some sort of response to, well, a certain neighbor's fishing structures:lol: Miriam was even one of the supporters/sponsors:lol:

Hmmm... matter we might look into. I remember VFA debate back in Eraps time. From what I remember, it was the US who offered and the Philippine senate ratified it. I even remember the protests against it. I may be wrong but we agree that it was during Eraps time.

maybe someone here could refresh our memories?

Hmmm... matter we might look into. I remember VFA debate back in Eraps time. From what I remember, it was the US who offered and the Philippine senate ratified it. I even remember the protests against it. I may be wrong but we agree that it was during Eraps time.

maybe someone here could refresh our memories?

I found the Australia one btw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RP%E2%80%93Australia_SOVFA

It's sort of a Visiting Forces Agreement. Ayaw siguro nang madagdagan ang Foreign soldiers committing crimes in the PH.:lol:

For me it is about balance i am just aswell a sinophile i like China's rich culture and history which is quite impressive and one their people should and can be proud of, i also do believe that people are people wheter they are Americans or Chinese and everyone has the same basic wants and desires which is to have secure and prosperous lives .

China's economic development is also a good thing for the region it is the bad side effects of it namely the over inflated ego that comes with the rise that is a problem, it is for the sake of maintaining some sort of stability or balance if not true peace that leads me to support US presence in the region to restrain some of China's unreasonable urges and allow trade and mutual development in the region to continue .

^^maybe if the Chinese government were more predictable in their actions and words and with less mood swings, I think most of its neighbors will be comfortable with its rise and wouldn't probably be bothered as much with their growing militarization. However, the way they approach their neighbors (even established ones like Japan and Korea), is quite, well..arrogant. it doesn't help that China is not willing for a multilateral talks which makes its southern neighbors nervous. And their 9 dash line is one think that will make even non-claimant countries nervous.

The Chinese have quite an interesting history. Though personally, I find the pre-Industrialization Japan more appealing. But that's just me.

@Lilyr: Thank you for the link. So, it is still not ratified by the Senate. It is interesting that Aussies are offering VFA rather than us offering it to them since it would likely benefit us more...unless their main aim is to learn jungle survival :lol:

^^maybe if the Chinese government were more predictable in their actions and words and with less mood swings, I think most of its neighbors will be comfortable with its rise and wouldn't probably be bothered as much with their growing militarization. However, the way they approach their neighbors (even established ones like Japan and Korea), is quite, well..arrogant. it doesn't help that China is not willing for a multilateral talks which makes its southern neighbors nervous. And their 9 dash line is one think that will make even non-claimant countries nervous.

The Chinese have quite an interesting history. Though personally, I find the pre-Industrialization Japan more appealing. But that's just me.

@Lilyr: Thank you for the link. So, it is still not ratified by the Senate. It is interesting that Aussies are offering VFA rather than us offering it to them since it would likely benefit us more...unless their main aim is to learn jungle survival :lol:

Well, here's one not from Wiki with more info :
http://focusweb.org/philippines/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=139&Itemid=3&fontstyle=f-smaller

Interesting that Australia is taught of as "posse" because mostly the Kano analysts think of them "sheriff's deputy".
So we do have the sheriff now if we can have the deputy on our side as well... Awesome:lol:!

Philippines: barangay tanod!
Wait there's more
Upon the signing of the SOVFA, Australia announced that it will give the Philippine military 28 brand new airboats worth $4-million for use in internal security operations...
Really!!?What are we waiting for:D

tanod ba..kala ko..sekyu! :lol:

The Sokols at the tarmac. Its 0820 hrs
— at Clark Airforce Base, Philippines.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/428706_318445854881058_100001469383227_857732_2049209076_n.jpg

SOURCE - DND OPA (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=318445854881058&set=a.305759916149652.70498.100001469383227&type=1&ref=nf)

^^Happening now...

The crew of the four Sokols are on stand by for the start of the commissioning ceremonies. Defense secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin has arrived as the guest of honor. Ceremony begins at 0900 hours.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/431479_317474601642896_114373295286362_822861_1903445823_n.jpg

Guests have arrived, led by officials of the DND, the air force for the commissioning — at Air Force City, Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/430453_317476878309335_114373295286362_822862_1548793312_n.jpg

source - DND OPA (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.177413328982358.46480.114373295286362&type=3)

Is this Balikatan?

Is this Balikatan?


Commissioning ceremony, I think. Ang laki pala ng tarmac CAB. It looks so maluwang.:lol: We need more.

Australia is one of those in the Western world that is situated closes to Asia where China is. In the second world war, the Japanese almost invaded Darwin and knock off Australia as the Philippines fell to them (though we lasted longer in any siege in SEA). Perhaps, I can assume that Australia is seeking to ensure that just in case, China's aggression goes out of control, the Philippines will be there to stand before they expand as far as Australia. Maybe they have don't want China to become like Imperial Japan and so they are now just being preemptive.

The Western nations are more clear on their stand, Chinese ambiguity in its dealings with other nations makes one doubt their true intentions. Compared to China, we have seen the West do their thing and they were the once who built this semi-peaceful status of the world. The concept of hegemonic peace, which was fulfilled by the emergence of the United States as a superpower is already something that has been accepted by many nations. The U.S took on the responsibility of policing the world and restraining aggressive nations. This is merely a peace by 'status quo'.

And as for the Philippines, we will be left with no better alternative than align ourselves with the West. It's either we let China do as she wants or ask U.S intervention to restrain her. China's megalomania will lead here nowhere because there are also countries as powerful and even more powerful than here.

saw 2 sokols this afternoon at camp aguinaldo.

PAF spokesperson talks about the 4 brand new W-3A Sokols during the turnover ceremony today at Clark Air Base ...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=318586581533652&set=vb.114373295286362&type=2&theater

PAF spokesperson talks about the 4 brand new W-3A Sokols during the turnover ceremony today at Clark Air Base ...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=318586581533652&set=vb.114373295286362&type=2&theater

Next should be brand new jet fighters from Italy or second hand F-16 from the US..

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkSHRPcov3k/T1bwiYjIidI/AAAAAAAAMf8/6MN2aw2luKc/s400/AMX_Malcolm%2BClarke.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkSHRPcov3k/T1bwiYjIidI/AAAAAAAAMf8/6MN2aw2luKc/s400/AMX_Malcolm%2BClarke.jpg
AMX International - strike aircraft (photo : Malcolm Clarke)


Jets, Radar to Boost Phl's Territorial Defense


07 Maret 2012



MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) expects the delivery of several jets and radar equipment for territorial defense during the term of President Aquino.

PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said the acquisitions would boost the country’s defense stance against external threats.

He said six surface attack jets and trainer aircraft; a long-range patrol plane, one air defense radar, and a special mission airplane are expected to arrive in the country starting this year until 2016.

“This is a result of the defense acquisition system and the senior leaders’ meetings that they conduct very often. Hopefully, we will see initial deliveries by 2013 to 2014 or at the most 2015,” Okol said.

The new military equipment would be part of the second phase of the military’s modernization program to be implemented from 2012 to 2016.

The first phase included the acquisition of defense equipment that would improve the Armed Forces’ capability to conduct internal security operations.

The PAF would also acquire eight helicopters, seven attack helicopters, a C-130 cargo plane, and a long-range patrol aircraft and 18 basic trainer planes.

The 18 basic trainer planes have been delivered while others are in various stages of procurement.

The third phase of the modernization program to be implemented after 2016 would involve the acquisition of advanced multi-role fighter jets and long-range patrol aircraft and radars, Okol said.

Four brand new combat utility helicopters from two foreign firms arrived at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga last month.

The “Sokol” helicopters were purchased from Augusta PZL Swidnik of Italy and Poland.

Four more combat utility helicopters from Augusta PZL Swidnik are expected to arrive in the fourth quarter. The acquisition of the eight helicopters costs P2.8 billion.

The military earlier announced that the first batch of helicopters would arrive in November 2011.

The four helicopters, however, arrived three months after.

The Sokol helicopters have night-vision capability and could accommodate 10 passengers.
The military expects the completion of the delivery of P3.4 billion worth of military hardware this year.

Okol said the PAF also expects the delivery of eight combat utility helicopters, three multi-purpose attack aircraft, equipment for coast watch stations, and 33 multi-purpose rocket launchers for the Presidential Security Group.

(PhilStar)

source:http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2012/03/jets-radar-to-boost-phls-territorial.html

oi sya nga pala.....thank you very much.....PGMA....meron sana yan kasamang attack helos kung hindi ni restudy, nireview at ni plano ulit....at ni restudy, at ni review at ni plano ulit....till nakalimutan na two years later.....wala pa naman cguro nakitang anomalya sa procurement.....kaya kailangan i-restudy at i-review at i-plan ulit.....para magaya....:lol: ....kidding aside....thanks to then Pres. Arroyo....she had the management skills and the economic sense....she had vision and she delivered.....