Philippine Defense Forces [Archive] - Page 84

Mr Grey

May 17th, 2012, 08:00 AM

PH eyes 24 non US made military jets to boost defense amid shoal tensions
Manila Standard / Bloomberg News
May 17th, 2012
http://news.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/05/17/ph-eyes-24-military-jets-to-boost-defense-amid-shoal-tensions/

THE Philippines might buy two squadrons of military jets for as much as $1.6 billion to modernize its defenses, President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday as the Philippines and China declared a fishing ban on the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

The government could buy new training jets for between $400 million and $800 million per squadron and upgrade the planes to fighters, Mr. Aquino told Bombo Radyo.

Aquino said that his government had asked to buy second-hand F-16s from the United States, but their maintenance costs could end up being too high because of their age.

"We do have an alternative, and -- this is a surprise -- it seems we have the capacity to buy brand-new, but not from America," Aquino said, without mentioning the aircraft model.

"These are manufactured by another progressive country that I won't name at this point."

“That’s what the Armed Forces of the Philippines is studying to make it more economical.”

Mr. Aquino made his statement even as China announced a two-and-a-half-month fishing ban on Scarborough Shoal starting at noon Wednesday to replenish the area, where Philippine and Chinese military vessels have been in a standoff for a over a month.

Vietnam protested China’s fishing ban, saying it considered China’s decision “invalid.”

The Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries imposed its own fishing ban in the area also starting Wednesday, and for two months.

“If a fishing ban will contribute to a better situation, we will impose it,” agency director Asis Perez said.

He said some of the Chinese fishing vessels on the shoal left hours before the fishing ban there took effect.

“Everything is normal,” Perez said.

“Some Chinese fishing vessels remain in the area, but it’s okay as long as they will not fish or gather marine resources.”

The Aquino administration has embarked on a plan to upgrade the country’s military, which has no viable fighter jets. The plan is part of efforts to better address external threats, which include increased tension with China over disputed waters in the South China Sea that are rich in fish, oil and gas.

In a May 4 interview with Bloomberg News, Mr. Aquino said the Philippines was focused on quelling insurgencies and lawlessness, and that its ability to respond to external threats “has been very, very severely diminished.”

China has become more assertive over its claims to the South China Sea, while the US, which has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, has shifted its military posture toward the Asia-Pacific region.

The latest standoff, over a reef that the Philippines calls Panatag Shoal and China refers to as Huangyan Island, began in April when Chinese ships blocked the Philippines from inspecting Chinese fishing boats in the area. Mr. Aquino reiterated the Philippines’ claim on the reef in Wednesday’s radio interview.

“It’s our exclusive economic zone and we need to preserve our patrimony according to our Constitution,” he said.

The Philippines plans to acquire 10 new helicopters and 21 refurbished ones this year for maritime surveillance, Mr. Aquino said in the May 4 interview.

The Philippines signed a five-year agreement with Italy earlier this year for the purchase of military hardware. The nation would be spending as much as P70 billion ($1.6 billion) through 2020 to modernize its forces, Defense Undersecretary Hernando Manalo said in January.

Thank you Mr President Pnoy for having the Initiative to really modernize & upgrade our Military. Former Pres. Fidel Ramos & GMA should be sentense in prison for wasting the AFP's modernization Fund. Fidel Corrupted most of the AFP Funds while GMA sold the Islands to the Chinese. This two ex-presidents should be lined side by side and shot with 1 bullet.

The miliants should be sent to intermittent camp or "deported" to China

Send Skyion to China he sounds very Communist to me. All propaganda and no air. I can not even understand what he is trying to say. He's comments seem to align with Montemayor of the Communist Party. You should all see the Video the girl does not even know what she is saying.

hakz2007

May 17th, 2012, 08:09 AM

94% of Flipinos would support boycotting Chinese products, that's according to Umagang Kayganda poll this morning!

chrismartin02

May 17th, 2012, 08:25 AM

^ I started already. Mas naging conscious ako ngayon sa product label origin. I was planning to visit Beijing as well pero cancelled na yun, guess Europe and more Philippines/Southeast Asia trips for me. :lol:

xxxriainxxx

May 17th, 2012, 08:29 AM

Chinese boats seized by North Koreans in rare public spat

BEIJING | Thu May 17, 2012 6:50am BST

(Reuters) - North Korean officials have demanded payment before they will release Chinese fishing boats with a total of 29 men onboard, Chinese media reported on Thursday, in a rare public spat between the neighbours and longtime allies.

The Chinese owners of the boats said they were seized by a North Korean gunboat on May 8 in the Yellow Sea, between China and North Korea, the Beijing News reported.

The owners said the vessels were fishing in Chinese waters. North Korea has not made any public comment on the case.

The North Koreans holding the boats and sailors demanded payment of 1.2 million yuan (119,236 pounds) for releasing them, then cut their price to 900,000 yuan and set a deadline of Thursday, Zhang Dechang, owner of one of the captured boats told the newspaper, which called the demand a "ransom".

The 29 sailors who were on board the boats are now in North Korea, said one captured seaman in a call with an owner, the newspaper added.

China is the key economic and diplomatic backer of North Korea, seeing it as a buffer against U.S. influence in the region. Beijing is a major supplier of food aid and oil to the North, which remains isolated by sanctions over its nuclear ambitions and rocket launches.

China has been quietly pressing North Korea to scrap plans for a third nuclear test, sources with knowledge of closed-door talks between the countries have told Reuters.

Pyongyang has sought to shore up ties with Beijing through frequent visits and praise of their friendship, but the North can also be resentful about what it sees as infringements of its territory, and Chinese dominance of relations.

It was unclear whether the seizure of the boats was authorised by the North Korean government, or was the initiative of local officials.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry told the Beijing News that the incident was a "fisheries case", and will be resolved as soon as possible. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately answer phone calls and faxes.

(Reporting by Sally Huang and Chris Buckley; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/17/uk-china-north-korea-boats-idUKBRE84G08U20120517

3cr

May 17th, 2012, 08:35 AM

Maybe a good time to take advantage of the opportunity to conveniently bring up the current China-RP territorial conflict/issue while at it given that ASEAN and US reps are already present.

Philippines to host ASEAN-US Dialogue next week
17-May-12, 10:30 AM | InterAksyon.com
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32173/philippines-to-host-asean-us-dialogue-next-week

MANILA -- The Philippines will host the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-United States (ASEAN-US) Dialogue and the 1st Meeting of the ASEAN-US Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in Manila on May 20 to 22, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday.

The ASEAN-US Dialogue is a regular meeting held between ASEAN and US Senior Officials who will review the progress in ASEAN-US cooperation and exchange views on regional and international developments, including the launching of the ASEAN-US EPG and preparations for the 4th ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting in November 2012.

The 25th ASEAN-US Dialogue will be co-chaired by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda F. Basilio, in her capacity as Philippine Senior Official Meeting (SOM) Leader, and by Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell of the US State Department-Office for East Asia and the Pacific.

Prior to the Dialogue, the ASEAN-US EPG will meet for the first time on May 21. The meeting, a recommendation of ASEAN-US Leaders, is expected to carry out the following tasks, among others:

* Review ASEAN-US relations and recommend future actions, including opportunities to enhance cooperation on regional and global issues;

* Strengthen cooperation and coordination in specific sectors, such as trade and investment, disaster response and energy security; and

* Identify new steps for the effective implementation of the decisions of previous ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meetings and the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership.

The meeting will be co-chaired by former DFA Undersecretary Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr., in his capacity as the Philippine Eminent Person, and by his counterpart from the US.

The Philippines is the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-US Dialogue Relations from 2009 to 2012.

The US is one of the longstanding Dialogue Partners of ASEAN, having established relations with the multilateral body in 1977.

-SNPKLSDMBLDR-

May 17th, 2012, 08:50 AM

Taiwan: 'Scarborough is ours'
03-May-12, 4:01 PM | News5

MANILA, Philippines - Even as the Philippines and China remain locked in a standoff at Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, Taiwan joined the fray, staking its claim on the disputed territory and saying Manila’s deployment of vessels there was illegal, Radyo Singko reported.

The program Punto Asintado cited a report from Focus Taiwan News Channel in which Taiwanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang called the Philippines’ claim and deployment of vessels illegal.

Yang also said that history, international laws and geography prove Taiwan’s ownership of the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, Macclesfield Bank and Pratas Island.

But Malacanang ignored Taiwan’s claim. :troll:

Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said the Philippines is ready to protect its sovereignty.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/30961/taiwan-scarborough-is-ours

Manila-X

May 17th, 2012, 09:52 AM

Philippines may buy fighters other than US
Agence France-Presse
4:05 pm | Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/37051/philippines-may-buy-fighters-other-than-us

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines is looking at arming itself for the first time with dedicated fighter jets made outside of the United States, President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday amid a territorial dispute with China.

The Philippines last month requested aircraft, patrol boats and radar systems from its US military ally to help it achieve what the government said would be a “minimum credible defense”.

Aquino said that his government had asked to buy second-hand F-16s from the United States, but their maintenance costs could end up being too high because of their age.

“We might end up spending $400 million or $800 million per squadron, and we were thinking of getting two squadrons,” he said in an interview with Manila’s Bombo Radio.

“We do have an alternative, and — this is a surprise — it seems we have the capacity to buy brand-new, but not from America,” Aquino said, without mentioning the aircraft model.

“These are manufactured by another progressive country that I won’t name at this point.”

Aquino noted that Manila had retired its last fighter jet, a Korean War-vintage F-5, in 2005. It does continue to fly S211 trainer jets made by the Italian firm Marchetti, which are sometimes used as ground attack aircraft against various insurgencies.

But along with the F-5, the Philippines had previously relied on obsolete US hand-me-downs including the T-33 and the P-51 Mustang as dedicated attack fighters, and the country now has no effective air defenses.

It is engaged in a tense maritime standoff with China over the disputed Scarborough Shoal and surrounding waters in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Both nations have stationed vessels there for over a month to assert their sovereignty.

rain34

May 17th, 2012, 09:54 AM

hakz2007

May 17th, 2012, 10:12 AM

Philippines protesters to sail to disputed shoal
MANILA — Filipino protesters said on Thursday they plan to sail to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, amid efforts by rival claimants China and the Philippines to resolve a tense maritime stand-off.

Led by Nicanor Faeldon, an outspoken former captain in the Philippines Marines, the group is to launch out toward Scarborough Shoal on Friday, his spokesman Kit Guerrero said Thursday.

"They want to protest against the aggression being committed by China against our country," Guerrero told AFP.

He said at least two fishing vessels carrying Faeldon's group were expected to arrive at the shoal later on Friday.

"They are intending to stay there at least three days and fish, if they are not prevented from doing so," Guerrero said, adding planting a Philippine flag on the rock was also an option.Read more (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jfP-3n6mfAddVwWTPZq1wQk6_EgQ?docId=CNG.273d850fbf5710ef7d111b18925aaf94.b21)

-SNPKLSDMBLDR-

May 17th, 2012, 10:19 AM

^^ dapat may kasamang taga media. :lol:

hakz2007

May 17th, 2012, 10:26 AM

^^malamang merong mag-kocover niyan :okay:

hakz2007

May 17th, 2012, 10:28 AM

http://imageshack.us/a/img221/9551/timelinegen2nowaterl.jpg

jpdm

May 17th, 2012, 11:18 AM

Kamusta na ang pagbaha ng smuggled sa goods sa 168 Mall? Naapektuhan ba?

Pugad ng iligal yang lintek na mall na yan. Illegal Chinese aliens, bagsakan ng smuggled at dumped Chinese goods na puro palpak. Of course pasimuno mga ilan sa traydor na Pinoy-Chinese at mga purong Pinoy nating kababayan yan.
Mukhang sacred cow may ari nito at hindi ginagalaw ng gobyerno.

Marami pang katulad ng 168 mall. Nasa Baclaran, Greenhills, Divisoria, Tutuban at Binondo. Isama mo yung nagbebenta sa mga tiangge, baratillo, mini-malls and commercial centers na nagbebenta ng mga bulok na Chinese made wares, vclothes, batteries, toys, school supplies, electronic goods (marami sa Robinsons, St Francis Square, SM). Alam mong China made sama ng kalidad at talagang piratang pirata itsura.

Its another way China is undermining the economy and well-being of this country.:bash::bash::bash:

What is the governmenr doing? Nothing. So if these economic sabotage is happening right in front of government eyes, what more about the thievery happening right within our surrounding waters?

Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Indonesians and Malaysians are some of the pirates and poachers caught in Philippines waters.

jpdm

May 17th, 2012, 11:24 AM

pau_p1

May 17th, 2012, 11:36 AM

^^ dapat may kasamang taga media. :lol:

siguro naman... kundi magmumukha silang mga tanga dun na makibaka na ang audience nila eh ilang bato at ang dagat... ehehehe

Mercato

May 17th, 2012, 11:42 AM

http://imageshack.us/a/img221/9551/timelinegen2nowaterl.jpgThroughout all those years, nakatikim ba ng gracia at biyaya ng Scarborough at Spratlys ang mga Filipino fishermen? Dapat nakinabang sila ng husto.

Mercato

May 17th, 2012, 11:48 AM

:lol::lol:

Wag ka mag-alala, eto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinmen) nga nde pa nila makuha. :lol:May ganyan palang island na hanggang ngayon Taiwan owned pa rin?

Meanwhile, kelan kaya kikilos ang mga abogado de campanilla sa DFA???
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpjxKswNUBI/T5D8BWUnp8I/AAAAAAAAAgs/I0LYsJQMtDM/s1600/awty.jpg

Nasaan Ka ITLOS?

Parchie

May 17th, 2012, 11:54 AM

:banana::banana::banana::banana:Palitan mo lang ng "G" yung "S"! Dito lang yan o!

jpdm

May 17th, 2012, 12:28 PM

PH eyes 24 military jets to boost defense amid shoal tensions

Posted May 17th, 2012 by Bloomberg & filed under Main Stories.

THE Philippines might buy two squadrons of military jets for as much as $1.6 billion to modernize its defenses, President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday as the Philippines and China declared a fishing ban on the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

The government could buy new training jets for between $400 million and $800 million per squadron and upgrade the planes to fighters, Mr. Aquino told Bombo Radyo.

The seller would be a “progressive nation” and not the US, the Philippines’ main ally, he said. A squadron is made up of between 16 and 24 jets.

“It may be from Europe, or somewhere nearer,” Mr. Aquino said.

http://news.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/05/17/ph-eyes-24-military-jets-to-boost-defense-amid-shoal-tensions/

Korea nga.

firebar10

May 17th, 2012, 01:36 PM

From Europe the candidates might be, if brand new, are the Swedish Grippen, Russian MiG-35, Su-33, French Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. If we go for used ones, there is the Italian AMX (ideal as a light attack/maritime strike aircraft), the German/Italian Tornado IDS (an attack aircraft/fighter bomber/naval strike fighter), Spanish F/A-18 Hornets (if its up for sale), French Mirage 2000.

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 01:51 PM

Here's the cue:

"The government could buy new training jets for between $400 million and $800 million per squadron and upgrade the planes to fighters, Mr. Aquino told Bombo Radyo."

So we're looking at a Lead-In Fighter Trainer here, tatlo lang yan,

South Korea's TA-50 to be upgraded to FA-50 in the future
Italy's M-346
Russia's Yak-130

Sa ngayon yang TA-50 lang ang may plans to upgrade it to a dedicated fighter...kaya IMHO TA-50 na most probably ang bibilhin natin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAI_T-50_Golden_Eagle

rain34

May 17th, 2012, 02:07 PM

Japanese ships to boost PH Navy vs China: report

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 05/17/2012 7:19 PM | Updated as of 05/17/2012 7:19 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Japanese government allegedly plans to give patrol ships to the Philippines to strengthen its defense against China amid their territorial row, a report from South Korea said Thursday.

The vessels, which include 1,000-ton patrol ships, will be delivered by yearend, according to a Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) report.

KBS based its report on a story published by Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

The South Korean media company, the biggest television network in the country, said the handover of patrol ships is being made possible by Japan's decision to ease the Three Principles of Arms Export law that prevents Tokyo from selling its weapons abroad.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun said the Japanese government wants to help boost Manila's maritime safety capabilities in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine and Japanese governments have yet to confirm the report.

Read more: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/17/12/japanese-ships-boost-ph-navy-vs-china-report

Manila-X

May 17th, 2012, 02:20 PM

What The Philippines needs are advanced multi-role fighters and not just advanced trainers that can be upgraded to fighters.

I always like The JAS Gripen. I do hope these jets are for consideration.

d7beast

May 17th, 2012, 02:21 PM

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/17/uk-china-north-korea-boats-idUKBRE84G08U20120517

kinagat ng alagang buwaya ang sariling amo!!!yan di kasi nag-iisip, kahit na itlog pa ang isang buwaya at papipisain mo at kahit araw-araw mo pang katabi matulog, kakagatin at kakagatin ka pa rin nyan!!!:lol: SHOWDOWN OF THE PIRATES!!!:nuts::nuts::nuts:

Toyman

May 17th, 2012, 02:21 PM

I would go for the russian planes if those are the choices

i think they have the most proven capable fighters -

Manila-X

May 17th, 2012, 02:24 PM

I would go for the russian planes if those are the choices

i think they have the most proven capable fighters -

China's fighter planes are localized variants of The Sukhoi. I never liked Russian planes including The MIG. I'm more for The Swedish jets or The Israel Kfir if talking about non-US planes.

http://rupeenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/chinese-j11-based-on-russian-su-275sk.jpg

bulabog jalaur

May 17th, 2012, 02:27 PM

Mukhang lumambot ng konti si INTSIK (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-05/17/c_131594704.htm) ng magbisita si

UNCLE SAM (http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012-05/17/content_15321939.htm) sa subic.:lol:

xxxriainxxx

May 17th, 2012, 02:29 PM

China's fighter planes are localized variants of The Sukhoi. I never liked Russian planes including The MIG. I'm more for The Swedish jets or The Israel Kfir if talking about non-US planes.

http://rupeenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/chinese-j11-based-on-russian-su-275sk.jpg

The Sukhoi was the one that crashed in Indonesia last week...

kinagat ng alagang buwaya ang sariling amo!!!yan di kasi nag-iisip, kahit na itlog pa ang isang buwaya at papipisain mo at kahit araw-araw mo pang katabi matulog, kakagatin at kakagatin ka pa rin nyan!!!:lol: SHOWDOWN OF THE PIRATES!!!:nuts::nuts::nuts:

Kalevel lang ng Somalia ano?

Manila-X

May 17th, 2012, 02:42 PM

The Sukhoi was the one that crashed in Indonesia last week...

Kalevel lang ng Somalia ano?

Indonesia's air force use Sukhoi as one of their fighter planes other than The F-16.

It is ironic that The Philippine government will decide to use non-US fighters the fact The United States is our closest ally.

Are F-16 planes really that expensive to maintain?

xxxriainxxx

May 17th, 2012, 02:42 PM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/318150_411715498851035_333420280013891_1279785_1679663636_n.jpg

Toyman

May 17th, 2012, 02:47 PM

China's fighter planes are localized variants of The Sukhoi. I never liked Russian planes including The MIG. I'm more for The Swedish jets or The Israel Kfir if talking about non-US planes.

http://rupeenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/chinese-j11-based-on-russian-su-275sk.jpg

Yes, sorry i was referring to the post that said the 3 choices were russian,italian,korean

of the 3 i would go for

russian

italian [i believe its a derivative of the russian one]

korean

of course, american would be the best if we could afford it - otherwise, as you say, swedish or israeli is probably better than the 3 listed above.

spearhead

May 17th, 2012, 02:53 PM

Indonesia's air force use Sukhoi as one of their fighter planes other than The F-16.

It is ironic that The Philippine government will decide to use non-US fighters the fact The United States is our closest ally.

Are F-16 planes really that expensive to maintain?
Maintaining a squadron of F16 is not that expensive as the F18, or french Rafael. The Gripen might be more expensive, although i dont have the figures here.

Apparently the philippine government is not interested in spending more money to upgrade and extend the life of the said refurbished squadron of F16. There are procedures to extend the airframe and eninge life of the aircrafts through Service Life Extension Program or SLEP. It cost around $700K (1998 rate) per aircraft. So for a 24 units of F16, the RP government need to spend an extra $17M:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-16-life.htm

The TA-50 is a joint venture program of Korea Aerospace Industrie (KAI) and Lockheed Martin of the United States, with a price tag of USD $25 million, close to the F-16C/D variants valued at USD $27 million from US Air Force stocks. A brand new F-16 cost USD $55 million. The TA-50 Golden Eagle design was largely derived from the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, being similar on the use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons system.
http://philippineairspace.blogspot.ca/2011/07/air-force-to-buy-new-six-trainer-jets.html

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 02:58 PM

Are F-16 planes really that expensive to maintain?

We can maintain the F-16s financially speaking, problema nga lang masyado nang luma ang airframes nung mga eroplano - kung bibili tayo ng second hand ngayon malamang di na umabot ng limang taon ang mga yun. Sayang sa pera.:ohno:

Kaya mas practical bumili ng bago...in the longterm.

Manila-X

May 17th, 2012, 03:00 PM

Yes, sorry i was referring to the post that said the 3 choices were russian,italian,korean

of the 3 i would go for

russian

italian [i believe its a derivative of the russian one]

korean

of course, american would be the best if we could afford it - otherwise, as you say, swedish or israeli is probably better than the 3 listed above.

Both South Korea and Italy does not have it's own multi-role fighter jets but more advanced trainers that can be converted to fighter planes.

ROK's Air Force use US Fighter planes and just like China have developed it's own variant of it like The F-15 Slam Eagle for example.

The Italian Air Force on the other hand develops multi-role fighter jets but are joint projects with other countries like Germany, UK or Brazil for example.

Both The Panavia Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon are joint projects of The UK, Italy and Germany.

As for PAF, I do hope our country does not consider Russian planes. Better to pick either Swedish or French whether it's The Gripen or The Rafale.

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 03:01 PM

What The Philippines needs are advanced multi-role fighters and not just advanced trainers that can be upgraded to fighters.

I always like The JAS Gripen. I do hope these jets are for consideration.

The FA-50 upgrade to the TA-50 is an advanced multi-role fighter. Yan yung ipapalit ng mga SKoreans sa mga lumang F-5s at F-4s nila. In the future majority ng fighter fleet nila ay FA-50 at yung stealth KX-1 (under development).

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 03:05 PM

Maintaining a squadron of F16 is not that expensive as the F18, or french Rafael. The Gripen might be more expensive, although i dont have the figures here.

Apparently the philippine government is not interested in spending more money to upgrade and extend the life of the said refurbished squadron of F16. There are procedures to extend the airframe and eninge life of the aircrafts through Service Life Extension Program or SLEP. It cost around $700K (1998 rate) per aircraft. So for a 24 units of F16, the RP government need to spend an extra $17M:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-16-life.htm

ahem, Indonesia payed $30M for the upgrade of each of the ex-US F-16s as of 2012. That's a whooping $700M for 24 20-year old planes. We should look for a better bargain.

skyion

May 17th, 2012, 03:05 PM

Thank you Mr President Pnoy for having the Initiative to really modernize & upgrade our Military. Former Pres. Fidel Ramos & GMA should be sentense in prison for wasting the AFP's modernization Fund. Fidel Corrupted most of the AFP Funds while GMA sold the Islands to the Chinese. This two ex-presidents should be lined side by side and shot with 1 bullet.

Send Skyion to China he sounds very Communist to me. All propaganda and no air. I can not even understand what he is trying to say. He's comments seem to align with Montemayor of the Communist Party. You should all see the Video the girl does not even know what she is saying.

stupid Hepa infected analyzing brain cells, quick at mudslinging as any hypocrite does but utterly incapable of even the basic logic that a whooping $1.6 Billion budget obviously was a culmination of long term plan of any country for its military, most likely culled from programs reversed back from the previous administration or two, much less such jaundiced Grey matter be capable of understanding what I just said as to understand it would render the culprit to undeniable epic facepalm :nuts::lol::nuts:

blessed be thou Yellow "chosen" One, Homeric icon and infallible patron saint of Hepa infected pnoys/pnays who never lies, besseches thou in jejemonic prHayerZ to send this goofy Grey goo as powdered bullet fodder to China for the glory of thy soon to be lucrative war blessings oligopoly warLORRRD,

and let thine jaundiced pawns chant the magic mantra that shall magically transform thine ABiaS jejemonized pawns to fits of hysterics:

wang - wang - wang - wang - wang

aHmenZ

:rofl:

Manila-X

May 17th, 2012, 03:05 PM

We can maintain the F-16s financially speaking, problema nga lang masyado nang luma ang airframes nung mga eroplano - kung bibili tayo ng second hand ngayon malamang di na umabot ng limang taon ang mga yun. Sayang sa pera.:ohno:

Kaya mas practical bumili ng bago...in the longterm.

And question ay saan makakabili ng bago na mura? Malibang na lang sa tate?

spearhead

May 17th, 2012, 03:06 PM

Both South Korea and Italy does not have it's own multi-role fighter jets but more advanced trainers that can be converted to fighter planes.

ROK's Air Force use US Fighter planes and just like China have developed it's own variant of it like The F-15 Slam Eagle for example.

Italy has an indigenous AMX MRF, a joint venture by both Brazil and Italy. It is a multirole fighter-bomber.

SK have bunch of these MRF in their inventory made up of american fighters like what you just said. All of them are MRF.

spearhead

May 17th, 2012, 03:07 PM

And question ay saan makakabili ng bago na mura? Malibang na lang sa tate?

South Korea.

Manila-X

May 17th, 2012, 03:07 PM

The FA-50 upgrade to the TA-50 is an advanced multi-role fighter. Yan yung ipapalit ng mga SKoreans sa mga lumang F-5s at F-4s nila. In the future majority ng fighter fleet nila ay FA-50 at yung stealth KX-1 (under development).

Gusto kong makita ng images or designs ng FA-50.

spearhead

May 17th, 2012, 03:09 PM

ahem, Indonesia payed $30M for the upgrade of each of the ex-US F-16s as of 2012. That's a whooping $700M for 24 30-year old planes. We should look for a better bargain.

I said $700K or $700,000 (thousand not millions). And that's 98' rate.

spearhead

May 17th, 2012, 03:09 PM

^^Just google it Manila X:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAI_T-50_Golden_Eagle

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 03:12 PM

As for PAF, I do hope our country does not consider Russian planes. Better to pick either Swedish or French whether it's The Gripen or The Rafale.

Russian planes tend to have cheaper flyaway prices compared to others, but in maintenance costs....it's a different story.

Truly Asia will be phasing out its MiG-29s because of this and the lack of Russian logistical support.

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 03:16 PM

I said $700K or $700,000 (thousand not millions). And that's 98' rate.

prices depends on what the customer wants. Indonesia wants its F-16s upgraded to latest standards and so it reached more than $30M per plane.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/19/us-asia-summit-f-idUSTRE7AI04V20111119

Question is, will the upgraded F-16s last longer than other new build fighters? That's our dilemma.

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 03:22 PM

This is the TA-50. The FA-50 is more capable than this so i believe it'll look better aka more badass. lol

fJKvM9laRZs

Kung papansinin niyo, andami nang Pinoy comments. haha

-SNPKLSDMBLDR-

May 17th, 2012, 03:32 PM

hindi na twin engine fighter jets ang gusto nila? paano kapag nasira yung engine goodbye na lang? :lol:

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 03:45 PM

hindi na twin engine fighter jets ang gusto nila? paano kapag nasira yung engine goodbye na lang? :lol:

F-16s and Gripens also have a single engine. Accidents do happen anyway regardless the number of engines in an aircraft. Kaya metikuloso ang maintenance ng mga fighter jets.

jehyrson

May 17th, 2012, 03:47 PM

stupid Hepa infected analyzing brain cells, quick at mudslinging as any hypocrite does but utterly incapable of even the basic logic that a whooping $1.6 Billion budget obviously was a culmination of long term plan of any country for its military, most likely culled from programs reversed back from the previous administration or two, much less such jaundiced Grey matter be capable of understanding what I just said as to understand it would render the culprit to undeniable epic facepalm :nuts::lol::nuts:

blessed be thou Yellow "chosen" One, Homeric icon and infallible patron saint of Hepa infected pnoys/pnays who never lies, besseches thou in jejemonic prHayerZ to send this goofy Grey goo as powdered bullet fodder to China for the glory of thy soon to be lucrative war blessings oligopoly warLORRRD,

and let thine jaundiced pawns chant the magic mantra that shall magically transform thine ABiaS jejemonized pawns to fits of hysterics:

wang - wang - wang - wang - wang

aHmenZ

:rofl:

What are you suggesting then?

rawr

May 17th, 2012, 03:57 PM

^^ somehow we still have to commend the PNoy admin for its relative faster pace of acquisitions compared to other admins.

d7beast

May 17th, 2012, 03:59 PM

skyion

May 17th, 2012, 04:03 PM

What are you suggesting then?

as mentioned before, do not deal with the complex chess game with mindset of some Homer worshipping, jaundiced pawn like what the other forumer did.

in dealing the situation, one can no longer afford to think like some Yellow Media manipulated jejemon as had been last election.

jehyrson

May 17th, 2012, 04:40 PM

as mentioned before, do not deal with the complex chess game with mindset of some Homer worshipping, jaundiced pawn like what the other forumer did.

in dealing the situation, one can no longer afford to think like some Yellow Media manipulated jejemon as had been last election.

If being a pawn is the way for the modernization of this country's arm forces to finally get going then so be it. Would you still call our ASEAN neighbors who has more capability to defend their sovereignty a PAWN also? We wouldn't be in this situation in the first place if only we have the means to PROTECT our territory. Our territory our responsibility but how can our arm forces do that if they don't have the adequate equipment. Dapat ka pa nga magpasalamat kasi umuusad na kahit pa kunti-kunti yung modernisisasyon ng arm forces natin. Nung una daming batikos kasi kaya nangyari to dahil walang panlaban ang arm forces ngaun na bumili na ng kagamitan meron parin batikos. Saan ba lulugar ang gobyerno nyan!? pastilan!

waraywaray architect

May 17th, 2012, 04:42 PM

From Inquirer news: "Dellosa pointed out that the Philippine government will "formally receive" its second Hamilton-class naval vessel from the United States on May 22."

waraywaray architect

May 17th, 2012, 04:52 PM

Below are some of the items i consider for the purchase of our air assets:

-FEATURES: -DESCRIPTION: -OPTION:

- Engine -Twin -MUST
- Speed -Supersonic -MUST
- Capability -Multirole fighter -MUST
- Signature -Stealth -WANT
- Armaments -Standard load outs -MUST
- Budget/plane -50MUS$ max -MUST
- Condition -New -MUST

based on above items considered, I prefer an US F-18 or Russian PAKFA-50. At 50MUS$ each 10 to 12 of these planes would establish air superiority and anti naval strike capability within our 200NM EZ at the West Philippine Seas. Then another squadron of those trainer/fighters for maritime patrol or the subsonic harriers (we can land them on the shoals like sea birds or station some at the Kalayaan islands as it does not require airfields), then the 1.2BUSD allocated could still support batteries of mobile antiship mislles along the coast facing the West Philippine Seas and small fast attack crafts armed with antiship and anti air portable configuration missile systems. This is assuming we have billion US$ funds especially allocated, or we can take from our foreign reserves the funding.
I guess we need to be realistic. Our air force pilots cannot just jump right into these superior birds without having a good number of hours of training. We've been left behind significantly. Pres Pnoy hinted that the AFP is set to acquire LIFT aircraft capable of being converted into a fighter. We will see more of the details supposedly by July when a lot of these acquisition contracts will be signed.

eonynx

May 17th, 2012, 04:56 PM

^^yup! superior war technology is useless if one doesn't know how operate it excellently. this is with emphasis on excellence because it could mean life or death in actual aerial warfare. man and machine should operate as one.

d7beast

May 17th, 2012, 05:02 PM

do you think guys we do not have 10~20 fighter pilots capable of handling these fighter planes???:ohno: i remember one time the PAF chiel flew an F18 and Mig 29's, if they can fly those old turbo props and the rusty air assets, do you think they cannot handle these birds with advance in-flight correction systems called fly by wire???THINK!!!:bash::bash::bash:

eonynx

May 17th, 2012, 05:14 PM

^^ace and non-ace pilots would still be required to put in the minimum man-hours of training. of course, for tactical and technological advantage, the man-hours spent on training could go well beyond the minimum. knowing how to fly a newly acquired fighter aircraft would not be enough if one's aim to is to defeat the enemy.

Sou-jiro

May 17th, 2012, 05:16 PM

I think to be precise, PAF is actually getting "lead in Fighter aircraft NOT an Actual Full on Fighter Aircraft.

And the top candidates would be Italy's AMX and M346 then South Koreas T-50 Golden Eagle. I dont think the Yak 130 of Russia is even in the running. It is inferior to the other 3. I really favour the T-50....we need something supersonic..the others are subsonic...we need both coastal patrol aircraft but just as important AN INTERCEPTOR,,,with T-50 being supersonic, it is the best choice...i hope South Korea make an attractive offer to Philippines...Kuripot Government natin eh

Im not Pnoy fan.......BUT! lets appreciate the fact the Pnoy is so far doing far better then El Tabacco, Erap at si Manang Midget.

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 05:20 PM

Ano nnanaman sasabihin ng gma intsik? We are making the situation worse? :lol:

Fleet of Philippine fishing boats sailing to Panatag
By Jaime Laude The Philippine Star Updated May 17, 2012 05:02 PM 14 comments to this post

MANILA, Philippines - A fleet of fishing boats are sailing to Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) Friday to reinforce the country’s territorial claim over the rich fishing ground, 124 nautical miles from Zambales province, which is being claimed by China as part of its maritime domain.

Leading the Panatag fishing expedition is former Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and former Annapolis cadet Manny Albuera.

Fishermen from Faeldon's home province, Batanes, and Masinloc town, which is part of Zambales province, are slated to fish in Panatag Shoal, which China has included in its declared fishing holiday.

For more than a month now, Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) is the scene of a tense territorial standoff between the Philippines and China.

Given a chance, the group intends to once again raise the Philippine flag in one of the rocks in the area, said Kit Guerrero speaking on behalf of Faeldon and one of the planners of the fishing trip.

“We are already here in Masinloc. So far we don't see any glitches that would stall the voyage,” Guerrero said, when reached by phone on Thursday afternoon.

The fishermen intend to assert the Philippines' sovereignty over the disputed shoal and to insist their right to fish in the country’s territorial waters.

Aside from the three fishing boats, local fishermen also aboard their own fishing boats, are also expected to join the trip along with national and local mediamen.

Masinloc municipal secretary, Rjay Bautista, said they intend to send a representative to the voyage.

“We fully support this move. Panatag Shoal is ours,” Bautista speaking on behalf of Masinloc town Mayor Desiree Edora said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=63&articleid=807979

eonynx

May 17th, 2012, 05:23 PM

d7beast

May 17th, 2012, 05:25 PM

wala kanang panahon magpapogi at pa-training training ka pa ng mahabang panahon, our needs are immediate, the best combo is 1 squadron of F18s and one squadron of the supersonic hybrid trainer/ fighters of the koreans. The rest of the remaining budget, if any, will be used for mobile anti-ship missiles and launchers and fast attack crafts with anti-ship missile capability,..yung sa italians na amx at m-346 derivative nung russian yak 130,..

eonynx

May 17th, 2012, 05:33 PM

^^hindi pa pogi ang training. it's for their own increased safety and increased security of our defense. discretion is sometimes the better part of valor.

pero depende na yan sa airforce higher ups kung may training pa ang mga yan o diretso na agad sa ere. whatever decision they make, sana sa pang long term na ika bubuti ng ating sandatahang himpapawid!:lol:

Toyman

May 17th, 2012, 05:41 PM

Ano nnanaman sasabihin ng gma intsik? We are making the situation worse? :lol:

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=63&articleid=807979

didn't our own government also place a ban on fishing there.....

why are they going there now?

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 05:46 PM

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is set to make his first presidential visit to Los Angeles on June 5 and 6.

The Philippine Consulate here has started preparing for the visit as well as that of Vice president Jejomar Binay a few days before, Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon told the Inquirer on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Aragon said the consulate staff would be ¿very busy the next few weeks¿ working with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and coordinating Aquino¿s meetings with the Filipino-American community and business investors here.

From Los Angeles Aquino will proceed to Washington where he will meet with President Obama.

Binay is scheduled to visit Los Angeles to lead an advance Independence Day celebration on June 2.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr., who met with Fil-Ams here last week, confirmed the meeting between Aquino and President Obama in the White House.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton invited President Aquino to Washington, D.C. when she visited Manila in November last year. Obama himself extended the invitation later that month during his one-on-one meeting with President Aquino at the East Asia Summit in Indonesia.

Aquino made his first visit to the United States in 2010 for the United Nations General Assembly. He stopped in San Francisco then on his way to New York.

He visited the US again for the launch of the Open Government Partnership in September last year and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Hawaii in November.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippine-president-obama-set-meet-june-053004682.html

Ano kaya pag-uusapan nila? :lol:

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 05:56 PM

Last Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry declared to the world that Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying 傅莹 had summoned the Philippines’ charge d’affaires in Beijing, Alex Chua, and told him, “I met with you twice last month, and demanded that the Philippines calm down . . . the Philippines has clearly not recognised that it is committing a serious mistake”. [EN|ZH]

“The Chinese side has also made all preparations to respond to any escalation of the situation by the Philippine side,” Madam Fu said, according to the MFA.

Although this was interpreted in some quarters (the WSJ’s headline-writing quarters at least) as signaling a hardline shift, the comment threads on the story on Phoenix and NetEase suggested that the Chinese online audience wasn’t buying it. Yet.

However, over the following couple of days a wave of hardline commentary and inflammatory coverage appeared to raise the hopes of those who, not to put too finer point on it, want China to start a war over Scarborough Shoal. According to a detailed survey conducted in late April by the Huanqiu Shibao‘s opinion polling centre (and widely publicised in the Chinese media, e.g. here), that describes almost 80% of the urban Chinese population.

We certainly shouldn’t take that result literally, for the survey was full of leading questions, probably because that’s the result it was designed to find. The majority of the population are, i suspect, quite apathetic, but the number strongly in favour of military action is definitely significant, if only because it’s China, where every percent of the population is 13 million people.

The key period in setting off this wave of war-hope and war-fear began at 22.05 on the evening of May 8. That was when China News Service (Xinhua’s twin sister) reported that the PRC’s Manila embassy had issued an “urgent notice” warning PRC citizens in the Philippines to stay indoors, only go out in groups and steer clear what it called “large-scale anti-Chinese protests”. Judging by the datestamps and comment threads this appears to have been prominently reposted (as all responsible news outlets would with such an urgent public safety announcement) immediately on Sina and Sohu, an hour later on NetEase, and the following morning on Tencent and Phoenix.

At 23.16, CCTV’s News channel reported that overseas Filipinos will launch large-scale anti-China marches on May 11. After a brief live phone update from a CCTV correspondent in Manila, the host told the journalist, gravely, “stay safe.” Half an hour later the Huanqiu Shibao put out its widely-quoted “a miracle if there is no military conflict” editorial via Sina (it didn’t appear on Huanqiu‘s own site until after 8am).

These early rumblings portended a torrent of sensational Huangyan-related news that dominated the media for the next few days. The Manila embassy’s warning was the lead headline on four of the five online portals throughout Wednesday (May 9), accompanied by sub-headlines:

Philippines plans to remove all sign of China from island
China: we are fully prepared for any escalation by the Philippine side
5 PLA Navy warships pass Okinawa, headed south
Rumours China preventing Filipino fishers from entering Huangyan
Philippines expert claims China does not dare send troops
Huanqiu Shibao: prolonged friction of this type without military conflict will be miracle
[Philippines] MPs call for economic sanctions against China

The hottest topic on Sina Weibo that day was “Chinese warships approach Philippine territory”. Sentiment among the relatively urbane Weibo users (whom i have generally found to be a bit too cool for territorial bickering), according to close Weibo observer Bill Bishop, was “overwhelmingly in favor of force if necessary to get the Philippines to back down.” As Bishop notes, no topic can trend like that on Weibo without government approval.

Meanwhile, on the portals the comments flowed angry and unchecked. There was not only a lack of the usual signs of interference with the comment threads e.g. abnormally high participant:comment ratios and uniformity; it actually appears that there may have been an explicit order to not censor comments at all. Considering that the following rose to the very top of the rankings on NetEase’s 129,000+ participant “Chinese embassy issues safety warning to Chinese in Philippines” thread by early afternoon:

From May 13 to 16, 1998 during the Indonesian anti-Chinese incident, 1,250 Indonesian-Chinese people died, 24 were injured, and more than 1,000 women were raped, gang-raped or sexually harassed. Every country on earth denounced it, yet somehow one country said: this is Indonesia’s internal affair, we don’t interfere in other countries’ domestic politics. The US sent warships to collect a large number of Indonesian-Chinese. When the rescued Indonesian-Chinese reached America they unfurled a banner saying, “Better to be an American dog than a Chinese person”. This became the humiliation and shame of the Chinese nation [中华民族]. <—- replying to —– Real American [running] dogs [美狗] <—– replying to ——-The previous commenter, that monkey, should be human-flesh searched. Everyone can go together to visit his family’s womenfolk. [15,442 dings]

Leaving aside the fact that the majority of the thread was a horrible meigou vs wumao slanging match, with the 1998 Indonesian riots merely the excuse, one would think that under normal circumstances the administrators would delete posts calling for human-flesh searching (ie. revealing of an internet commenter’s personal details) as a matter of course, not to mention legal obligation — especially if it’s the #1 comment on the #1 story of the day. The comment was eventually deleted, along with most of the Indonesian riot references, but that was more than 12 hours after being posted. The replacement #1 comment, perhaps not surprisingly, was a call for war.

This was no mere internet phenomenon. The touted anti-Chinese riots were all over the TV and the newspapers. Perhaps to ensure the groundwork for public outrage was in place, the May 9 edition of the People’s Daily had a p.3 commentary article re-stating China’s legal basis for Huangyan sovereignty.

There is no doubt that this was a deliberate campaign to stir up public outrage in China, including demands for war. After all, the Akbayan Party organising the Manila demonstrations has been holding protests against China’s actions in what it calls the “West Philippine Sea” at regular intervals since at least June last year, without the Foreign Ministry seeing fit to warn its citizens not to go outside because of dire threats to their safety.

In a press conference later on Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei accused the Aquino government of misleading public opinion and stirring up the Filipino masses (a claim that China has been making for at least a couple of weeks if not longer). What was new, however, was that he stated that the allowing of anti-China demonstrations “has already led to a strong reaction and attention from the Chinese masses at home and abroad”.

By this point the green light for public outrage in China could barely have been shining brighter. However, contrary to the expectations of those who would see the Chinese state’s encouragement of domestic nationalism as a ploy for legitimacy, on the PRC internet at least, it actually works to provoke domestic criticism of the government, as the top comments on Sina’s 67,000-strong thread in reaction to Hong Lei’s news conference reaffirmed:

Why do we have to let others share our things? [2042]

Shame. I want to cry. [1679]

Our place is being occupied by others, yet we want to look at other people’s expressions? When the time comes to act, you have to act! [1354]

On what basis should we jointly develop [resources]? [1218]

Lamentable! My country! [1153]

Don’t leave the people disillusioned… [1080]

Don’t leave the people disillusioned… <—- Already disillusioned. [828]

As discussed here before, the regime almost certainly finds this type of domestic criticism useful. Or to be more precise, it has found domestic criticism like this useful in the past.

Thursday-Friday review to follow.

http://southseaconversations.wordpress.com/2012/05/13/a-miracle-if-there-is-no-military-conflict-the-ccps-scarborough-shoal-media-blitz-part-i-may-8-9/

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 06:24 PM

An issue of social stability”: the CCP’s Scarborough Shoal media blitz, Part II (May 10)
Posted: May 15, 2012 | Author: southseaconversations | Filed under: Global Times, People's Daily, PRC News Portals, State media, TV | Tags: CCTV, China-Philippines, Chinese foreign policy, Chinese internet, Chinese media, 环球时报, 钟声, 解放军报, 黄岩岛, Global Times, Huangyan, internet censorship, Jiefangjun Bao, nationalism, online opinion, Panatag, PLA Daily, public opinion, scarborough reef, scarborough shoal, south china sea, Zhong Sheng, 央视 |Leave a comment »

Yin Zhuo 尹卓 and Song Xiaojun 宋小军 recommend “violence” towards the Philippines on CCTV’s Huanqiu Shixian program, March 9, 2012

Whatever doubts i might have had regarding the effectiveness of the CCP’s campaign to focus Chinese people’s attention on the Scarborough Shoal standoff, they had disappeared by Thursday (May 10), when several Chinese friends here in Perth, Australia — whose usual attitude towards the South China Sea disputes ranges from tolerance-of-my-babblings to complete lack of interest — actively contacted me to say they thought China was about to go to war with the Philippines.

Thursday was probably the day the multimedia swell on Scarborough Shoal peaked, but the mechanics giving rise to it were in motion the evening before.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei had already taken the encouragement of public outrage to a new level on his Wednesday afternoon press conference when he stated that the Philippines’ behaviour had “triggered strong reaction and concerns from the Chinese people at home and abroad”.

Then CCTV News’ 10.30pm Huanqiu Shixian (World View) current affairs program hosted “special commentators” Song Xiaojun (宋小军) and Yin Zhuo (尹卓), who recommended violent action (暴力行动) in response to the Philippines’ alleged renaming of Huangyan as Panatag Shoal and plans to remove all signs of China’s presence. Said Yin:

Now if they use force to remove our sovereignty markers, that is taking violent action, and we have the right to take equivalent action.

As far as i can tell, both of these serious-sounding provocations by the Philippines are non-stories. First, the Philippines has not renamed Scarborough Shoal — it still officially refers the feature as Bajo de Masinloc (and has certainly never called it Huangyan Island). Second, as the Sohu photo tour translated here a couple of weeks ago clearly shows, there are no sovereignty markers on Huangyan for the Philippines to remove.

Late on May 9 the Huanqiu Shibao released a report on Philippines Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin’s May 9 comment that he he had interpreted remarks made by Hillary Clinton during the 2+2 meeting on April 30 as indicating the US would protect the Philippines from any attack in the South China Sea. After being reposted on the People’s Daily’s website (with Gazmin wrongly referred to as “Foreign Minister” 外长), this became a prominent headline on the front pages of all 5 news portals on May 10.

Contrary to at least one western analyst’s claim, among all the inflammatory coverage there was actually little in the way of official criticism of the US — hardly surprising given Defense Minister Liang Guanglie was on an official visit Washington. In fact, the official media gave plenty of play to the idea that America had refused the Philippines’ requests to step in, an approach that might well have been intended to make Chinese military action appear more feasible.

The Phoenix online video site was particularly enthused, leading with “China meets opportunity to retake Huangyan Island: will China and Philippines go to war?”.

Phoenix Online Video lead story, May 10, 2012: China meets opportunity to retake Huangyan Island, will the Philippines and China go to war?

I frequently saw and heard the line that “the US is maintaining a neutral stance” on Chinese TV and radio on May 9 and 10, and the PLA Daily stated that “even [the Philippines'] backers are not convinced” of its claims. (Here are some English-language examples from Xinhua and the China Daily.) On May 10 NetEase chose to include “America refuses to take sides on Huangyan Island issue” on its front page, just below the main headline linking to Gazmin’s comments, “Philippines: US guarantees Philippines will not suffer any attack in the South China Sea“.

While Liang’s visit and the need to downplay the Philippines’ international backing probably dictated that the US connection had to be largely limited to online media, the offline media nonetheless had plenty of material to work with. And judging by the apparent injunction to promote Huangyan-related reports, they needed it.

The May 10 China Youth Daily‘s front page headlines included “Four points about the Huangyan Island incident” and “Philippines incites population’s emotions, seriously harming bilateral relations”. The Beijing Morning News had “Overseas Filipinos to hold anti-Chinese rally on May 11″ and “Hard to be optimistic on Huangyan Island incident: China claims to have made all preparations”.

China Youth Daily front page, May 10, 2012

Huangyan even made the front page of the apparently (i’ve never read it) entertainment-focused Beijing Star Daily (北京娱乐信报), which led with, “Philippine newspaper article says Huangyan Island indeed belongs to China”.

Many, possibly even a majority, of the regional papers had the issue on their front pages too, including the Southeastern Business Daily 东南商报, City Evening News 城市晚报, the Chutian Metropolitan News 楚天都市报, and the Chuncheng Evening News 春城晚报 (those examples were obtained just by glancing through the Bs and Cs on ABBao). Shandong’s Weifang Evening News (Shandong) had one of the more dramatic splashes. The yellow headline reads “Trampling over China’s bottom line, Philippines miscalculates”.

Weifang Evening News 《潍坊晚报》 (Shandong) front cover, May 10, 2012. Headline: “Trampling over China’s bottom line, Philippines miscalculates”

The People’s Daily had a page 3 commentary, synthesizing most of the recent official Chinese comments, talking up the Philippines’ provocations (including the apocryphal renaming and removal of sovereignty markers). But most importantly of all, the People’s Liberation Army Daily came to the party with a foreboding piece that called Scarborough Shoal “an issue of territorial integrity, national dignity and even social stability“. Social stability is of course official code for popular protest (or lack thereof), so the implication was that China could be forced to attack the Philippines because the Chinese people are so angry.

This article was publicised in the main headline clusters on the front pages of all the 5 news portals except NetEase (for some reason consistently the least sensationalistic over the past few weeks), and it became the most-read news story on Sina that day, as well as the most commented-on (rankings here). The top comments, predictably, called for military action. Phoenix’s thread, involved more participants (62,000+) but Sina‘s were slightly more interesting:

“If [China is] not a paper dragon, please retake all the claimed islands that the Philippines is occupying.” [495 supports]

“Not taking active hardline measures in response is just verbal kung-fu. Protest protest protest, territory needs protecting, protests cannot possibly address the root of the problem. What is a great power? One that can steadfastly uphold sovereignty and territory, protect its people’s life and property security, and not be subject to encroachments.” [399]

” ‘We resolutely oppose! We strongly protest!’ —- is this a dragon or an insect, we common people can tell at a glance, the Philippines understands quite clearly too. China’s current situation has gotten to the point where it is being bullied, we have been bullied for 100 years by Western imperialist powers, now even the running dogs of imperialism can come into our backyard and bark their heads off. At a time when we think we’re strong and powerful, can yelling out a few ‘opposes’ and ‘protests’, as we’ve done for the past 30 years, really scare away these wild mongrels? Chairman Mao once said, even the poorest man has a dog-whacking stick; now we’re not poor,our whacking sticks are thicker and more numerous, so i don’t understand why we’re covered in bruises and bite marks. Are the dogs just too fierce, or are we too cowardly?” [351]

The latter comment was deleted sometime between Friday and today. Why? Hard to say, given its only difference with the comments elsewhere was that it was more entertaining and better-written. Actually that could be one possible explanation.

More seriously, though, one clue may be the general lack of “treasure the memory of Chairman Mao”-type comments in comment threads of late. They were absolutely dominant last year. If the portals have indeed received instructions to reduce Maoism in the public discourse on this issue, that would support Jeremy Goldkorn’s suggestion that the Scarborough Shoal media frenzy has been an attempt to shift public attention away from domestic politics and the Bo Xilai affair.

That explanation is quite compatible with the one repeatedly put forward here, namely that the leadership is promoting domestic expressions of outrage, including criticism of its own stance as weak, in order to improve its position at the international negotiating table……something about two birds, one stone……single arrow, pair of eagles……etc. The Chinese ruling party is good at that.

http://southseaconversations.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/an-issue-of-social-stability-the-ccps-scarborough-shoal-media-blitz-part-ii-may-10-11/

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 06:31 PM

The Chen Guangcheng affair barely made a ripple in the Chinese media, and the Chinese Internet has been almost completely cleansed of postings about him, aside from some frothing on websites such as the English Global Times (see links at bottom of this post for examples). Some of Chen’s supporters in China still have his image as their avatar on social media websites; Chinese journalists and activists continue to follow news about him, but he has been effectively purged from the media diet of the broad masses.

The de facto expulsion of Al Jazeera English service correspondent Melissa Chan from China likewise has not made any headlines in this country, nor caused concern to any numbers of people outside of media circles. Again, the Global Times English website bravely steps up and gives us the official newspeak on the case with a deranged editorial.

Not so the tensions with the Philippines, where China is engaged in a standoff with the island nation over a chunk of rock in the South China Sea: Xinhua reports:

For nearly a month, Manila has not only turned a deaf ear to Beijing’s position on resolving the dispute over China’s Huangyan Island through diplomacy, but made repeated provocative moves to heighten the tension, severely infringing China’s sovereignty in the process.

It is widely accepted Huangyan Island has been an integral part of China since ancient times, both on a historical and a legal basis. The surrounding waters are China’s traditional fishing grounds and Chinese fishmen have fished there for generations.

The Global Times English and Chinese versions have published an editorial headlined ‘Peace will be a miracle if provocation lasts‘. State and commercial media, newspapers large and small, and all the news and social media websites (e.g. QQ, Sina, Netease) are reporting on the standoff.

Jingoism is by no means limited to the usual pro-government newspapers and media commentators. A browse through the comments on Sina Weibo or any other Internet forum you choose shows overwhelming public support for a war.

On my own Weibo account, I posted the question “Would ordinary people support a war with the Philippines?” Usually the comments on my posts tend be very critical of the government and cynical about China and its place in the world, but the answer to this question was a rather bloodthirsty yes.

The Xinhua piece excerpted above also includes this line:

Furthermore, as some media point out, the Philippines’ tough stance in the recent confrontation with China over Huangyan is an attempt by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III to distract the public and revive its dwindling popularity.

A cynic might observe that this might be the very tactic being pursued by the Chinese government. The chattering classes in my Weibo feed and the garrulous old men I pass every morning in a hutong on my daily bicycle commute were just last week still talking about the fall of Bo Xilai. Today in Beijing, that seems like so much old news.

Update: ShangYang2 on Twitter called the above a ‘naive analysis ignoring China’s intention to challenge the status quo, as its capability increases’. He is right that China is going to challenge the status quo, but I think he’s being naive himself if he thinks the events of the last few months in Chongqing and Beijing have not been a factor contributing to the bellicosity we’re seeing right now.

http://jeremygoldkorn.com/2012/05/10/354/

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 06:32 PM

Uh-Oh

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III said Thursday the Philippines is continuously looking for a win-win solution with China to end the standoff in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal). This, even as he indicated Manila’s openness to a joint exploitation of resources in the disputed areas within the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) with Beijing and other claimant-countries.

“We have not stopped having communications with them in trying to look for the win-win situation,” the President said during a forum organized by the alumni of Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Makati City Wednesday night.

“I’m not saying that let us all consume this or let us be the sole winner of exploitation of resources there. From the very beginning, I think all of us should be focused on how to improve our people‘s lives and the only way to do that is from stability,” the President added.

Aquino said the Philippines is a “good neighbor” even to countries that have disputing claims in Panatag, Reed Bank and in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands). But the President stressed that the Philippines will not give up any of its territory.

“I am not empowered to give up any of our territory…I am still bound by an oath that I took to defend and uphold the Constitution and enforce all of our laws,” he said. “If it’s clear that we have a 200-mile economic zone, exclusive economic zone, designated by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas, and both of us (Manila and Beijing) are parties to it, is it too much to ask that our rights are respected by our neighbors in the same token that we respect their rights?”

The President reiterated that the Philippines is not out to escalate tensions with China. “We keep on re-emphasizing that we are not for conflict. We do not want to present a threat to them in any shape, manner or form, or whatsoever in terms of military action,” he said.

“I keep using a joke - even if it were just a boxing match they’re 1.3 billion (Chinese) and we’re 95 or 93 million. We will not prevail. And that is not the route and our Constitution actually prohibits it (armed conflict with another country),” Aquino added.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32205/ph-open-to-joint-exploitation-in-disputed-areas-search-for-win-win-solution-continues

Just how is this win-win? it is just off our coast!

waraywaray architect

May 17th, 2012, 06:59 PM

I understand the need for the real fighter aircraft in tandem with experienced fighter pilots. One of the immediate solutions I would suggest to our PAF is to send a dozen or two handpicked pilots to the US for special training as part of the MDT. In that way, they could facilitate the buying of a more modern version of fighter aircraft and not wait until the delivery of the LIFT arrives for training purposes. What I mean is for the PAF to be a step ahead in training and honing the skills of PAF pilots.

coldfire083

May 17th, 2012, 07:04 PM

Ang problem ko lang sa T-50(F-50) ay yung range nya. Kulang sa legs para patrol ng maayos ang Pilipinas.

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 07:18 PM

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 07:36 PM

vishaya

May 17th, 2012, 07:57 PM

pmarl

May 17th, 2012, 08:07 PM

they should send this idiots to scarborough shoal

why are they not protesting chinas intrusion in our territories ? are this moroons even filipinos ? or chinese spies in disguise ?

Nasaan ang mga hinyaupak na ito noong May 11? :lol:

http://www8.gmanews.tv/webpics/v3/2012/05/640_ZZZ_051712_news_b.jpg

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/photo/19635/activists-protest-docking-of-us-navy-sub-in-subic

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 08:11 PM

^^Napansin ko lang, hindi pa nila alam spelling the Philippine Sea.

They spelled it as PhiLLippine Sea :lol:

bariQ

May 17th, 2012, 08:11 PM

no mention of china in their rallies? ganyan ba sila ka bulag???

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 08:13 PM

^^ Natakot ata kasi baka patulan ni Papa Sugar ang Mama China nila :lol:

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 08:35 PM

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 08:44 PM

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32198/teodoro-l--locsin-jr--all-or-nothing

If China says that the Philippines is part of China, as a sexy Chinese newscaster said, then China is part of the Philippines, I say. If we belong to the set of China, China is part of the set of the Philippines. That's probably not very good set theory but it suffices for the moment.

No wonder, Noynoy hasn't visited Hunan and a host of other provinces on the mainland. Comelec records show that he got no votes in our Chinese territories nor for that matter did anybody else in the last national elections.

We had a law compelling voters to vote but it was repealed probably through Chinese lobbying. The result is the Chinese are back to their historical indifference not to say utter disregard for developments over here in these islands, or for that matter anywhere that the Ming navy, the biggest armada in the history of the world, touched from here to East Africa - content to bring back hippos and giraffes and a captive Brunei prince than take possession of these lands. China never cared to exercise sovereignty over any land outside the unchanging boundaries of the Middle Kingdom, even as nearby as the Khai and Vietnamese territories so easy to reach and ruled for centuries by the descendants of breakaway Chinese generals. They just never cared for sovereignty; they cared only for respect. And the surrounding world obliged China because respect costs nothing.

Now it is different. China wants sovereign possession of what is ours and has been since time out of mind. One of them even said the Philippines is part of China. Well, Chinese provinces have Chinese rights of autonomous control. So we won’t let them fish in Scarborough Shoal. We have the municipal right to decide who gets to fish or not in municipal waters.

If the Chinese continue not to vote in our elections, not to mention not to prop up our economy - if we are Chinese, then gives us some those gargantuan dollar reserves - we may just cut off China and set it adrift. We are either Chinese or we are not. If we are not, then what is ours is ours and not China’s.

And it is no argument to say we don’t vote in their elections. They don't hold democratic elections. If they did, we would be cheating over there.

And no, they cannot keep the shoal. That is in our municipal waters; so it is ours, at the very least by virtue of the universal principle that proximity is power. Since the Philippines is the closest to the shoal, it belongs to the Philippines if not as our sovereign own then as our economic zone.

As Malacañang says of Corona, we have given the Chinese enough chances to play along with us - though I must say we never offered them term-sharing in the Chief Justiceship.

This is the historic problem of the Philippines. Every power that's come around just wants part of our territory, never the whole, and never any part of the population. But the people go with the territory.

The US wanted to use the Philippines merely for its bases to project US power around here. It never wanted anything else, least of all our sugar and even less still us as Americans even though no one wants to be American as hard as Filipinos do. They gave us independence as fast as they could.

The Spanish did not want to rule us directly but did it through Mexico with its drug problem.

What is it with these powers? Why do they covet only small parts of our territory but want no part of us? Do we have bad breath or b.o.?

If China wants part of the Philippines, they must take it all, lock, stock and both barrels. You can't pick and choose. Sovereignty, like monarchy, is indivisible. You think the shoal is yours? Well Zambales goes with it along with Dick Gordon and the rest of us. Oh, you want to pick and choose, some of the land but not any of the people that go with it. Ano sinesuerte sila?

My Argentine classmate, who proudly claimed kinship with an uncle known as Colonel Flying Nun for the dissident madres he pushed out of choppers into the Atlantic Ocean during the Dirty War against communism, told us this story from a lost book of Genesis. You see, he said, when God made all the countries of the world, he made Argentina the most beautiful and richly endowed with natural wealth. The other countries complained, “Unfair, you gave all the advantages to Argentina and no disadvantages.” So, God, remorseful, created Argentines. I think he did the same when he created the Pearl of the Orient. He populated it with us.

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 08:45 PM

Magingat kapag kasosyo nyo mga Instik

Chinese firm not paying diamond proceeds to Zimbabwe - FM (http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32225/chinese-firm-not-paying-diamond-proceeds-to-zimbabwe---fm)

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 09:29 PM

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” — Helen Keller

Without doubt, certain sectors of agriculture and tourism have started to experience the tiny retaliatory forms of harassment being meted out by China and meant to punish President Noynoy and the entire nation for having the impudence to stand up to the dragon and expose it for the territorial bully that it is.

The truth of the matter is that China wants to make an example of the Philippines to the ASEAN and the rest of the world just to make sure that no one supports the Philippines and follows suit. So now we are feeling the squeeze and I’m sure some people are beginning to worry or are wishing P-Noy never got us into this mess.

On the other hand we could think about the Chinese proverb that teaches us: “In every disaster there is opportunity,” or we can borrow one from the Americans who say “No Pain — No Gain.” Instead of moaning or fretting about the Sino squeeze, lets consider how to make the best of the situation.

Lesson 1 would be: Address the problem and don’t pass the buck.

Right now, exporters and some media have hyped up suspicions and concern about China’s rejection or strict implementation of rules on imported agricultural products. Unfortunately that simply sensationalizes the problem but won’t resolve it. At the very least only the exporter is in a real position to address the problem, because it is their products and their business.

Lesson 2: We suffer, they suffer.

Assuming China is in fact imposing restrictions, that is their prerogative and presently their weapon of choice. Just because it hurts our business does not mean the solution is in the hands of the Philippine government. Come to think of it, we are not the sole victims here, because the ban or harassment also affects the business of people on the receiving end of our products in China. What we can’t send, they can’t sell.

Lesson 3: Level up or don’t give them an excuse.

As far as exports go, I think it would be safe to say that much of our export “quality” is based on the “puede na” or “will do” standard. In the interest of expediting matters and cutting costs most people think it impractical to go above and beyond what is acceptable. Even my wife who is familiar with the matter of export products has long lamented the fact that “rejects” or “send back” is more common than should be, for a myriad of reasons.

Very common among them is the lack of proper processing resulting in fungus, discoloration, non-uniform sizing etc. Another mortal sin is failure to meet delivery or shipping schedules and, finally, poor quality packaging or shipping and handling.

The strict processing of agricultural exports now comes as a challenge to upgrade the local processing, packaging and delivery of our exports to all countries and not just China. Just because no one else is playing hardball does not mean no one else will in the future.

Lesson 4: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

As already stated by President Noynoy, the situation also teaches us not to depend on China alone, or any country for that matter. As a former resort owner and developer, I learned early in the game not to rely on foreign or in-bound tourists only. We worked at a healthy balance and when kidnappings started to take place in Mindanao, we easily shifted to local tourists when the foreigners stopped coming.

Aside from finding other markets, one interesting and valid input comes from Secretary Greg Domingo of the Department of Trade and Industry. In a recent meeting with representatives of the garment industry, Domingo encouraged them to go beyond the level of being mere manufacturers or sub-contractors who simply meet orders of foreign companies. Instead, “we” should start creating our own brands, go to the next level where we create products that make us owner of our intellectual properties.

If we can create “Jollibee,” “Yellow Cab,” “Bayo,” “Bench,” why then can’t we do the same for the rest of our exports? When you think about it, why be content with exporting our “raw” materials when we can export processed foods etc. As Secretary Domingo pointed out, the level of skill and knowhow of Filipinos is already advanced, if not superior to their counterparts in the region, so why stay in the same league or level of competition.

In like manner, we should also look into product development or alternative applications. Cassava was not in the food manufacturers’ radar until a decade or so ago, but with the high cost of wheat, corn etc., companies now consider cassava a blessing. We only use to think of “buko” as a treat for guests at our “mini farm,” but now we use them all up for feeding our chickens and native pigs, which keeps them healthy and reduces our feed costs.

Finally, Lesson 6: BUY FILIPINO.

China is restricting the entry of Philippine products merely as a retaliatory tactic for political purposes. This will not profit them in anyway except to maybe scare ASEAN nations.

On the other hand, if Filipinos learn to BUY FILIPINO, we will directly help Pinoy companies to succeed; we will insure jobs and perhaps create more jobs as they expand. Instead of buying or selling consumer products made in China, it’s time we patronize products made in the Philippines. As they say; two can play in this game.

* * *

Email: Utalk2ctalk@gmail.com

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=64&articleId=808176

M46Fr3D

May 17th, 2012, 10:17 PM

^^Napansin ko lang, hindi pa nila alam spelling the Philippine Sea.

They spelled it as PhiLLippine Sea :lol:

Jejemon na mga Chinese spies yang mga yan.

waraywaray architect

May 17th, 2012, 10:19 PM

^^Napansin ko lang, hindi pa nila alam spelling the Philippine Sea.

They spelled it as PhiLLippine Sea :lol:
Yan ang nagyari. Absent ng absent sa klase at palaging nasa rally. Ayun, bagsak sa spelling test! Kawawa naman and tatay at nanay.

TheAvenger

May 17th, 2012, 11:17 PM

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 11:20 PM

They are the 21st century Makapilis :lol:

Christian_123

May 17th, 2012, 11:24 PM

Nasaan ang mga hinyaupak na ito noong May 11? :lol:

http://www8.gmanews.tv/webpics/v3/2012/05/640_ZZZ_051712_news_b.jpg

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/photo/19635/activists-protest-docking-of-us-navy-sub-in-subic

Dapat 'tong mga kumag na 'to ay itapon sa harap ng mga chinese vessels sa Scarborough shoal. At gawin sa kanila ito:

bWyI79v6Fic

Note: Ikalat nyo 'tong video na 'to sa facebook para malaman ng mundo ang kagaguhan ng PLA.

Nabartek

May 17th, 2012, 11:27 PM

andywesteast

May 18th, 2012, 12:05 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 12:37 AM

Don't worry, unilke the Philippines, Israel can hold its own.:lol:

They once fought 5 countries at the same time......and Won:lol:

you have a point :lol::lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 12:56 AM

http://tcdn02.abs-cbnnews.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/abscbn2010-topofthehour/a_images/slideshows/frontimage/20120517_protest_antisub-rtr.jpg

Kapag tinuluyan tayo ng China, ang sasabihin ng mga ito, Yanqui, where are you? :lol:

(mga mukhang jejemon na bayaran mga ito :lol:)

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 01:06 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 01:08 AM

China military paper warns officers stay loyal despite Western 'plotting'
BEIJING -- China's top military newspaper warned officers on Tuesday to remain the ruling Communist Party's “most loyal” defenders in the face of what it called Western plotting, describing recent cases of ill-discipline and corruption as a “profound warning.”

The commentary in the Liberation Army Daily did not specify what problems might have prompted the unusually blunt warning over laxity, waste and abuses in the Chinese military, but the Communist Party is wrestling with scandals ahead of a power succession later this year.

Its leaders appear determined to ensure that the People's Liberation Army remains the ultimate shield of their authority.

Anxieties about party control appear to have grown after the ousting of Bo Xilai, the ambitious party chief of Chongqing, a province-status municipality in southwest China, as well as corruption allegations around PLA Lieutenant General Gu Junshan.

“Hostile international forces have not slackened in their strategic plotting to Westernize and divide us,” said the commentary, which said some officers have “wavered” in their loyalty to the party and its credo.

“Faced with complex and capricious ideological currents and phenomenon, leading officials must be even clearer about serving as the most resolute supporters of the Party's cause and its most loyal implementers,” said the paper.

“Ensure that the gun always heeds the Party's commands.”

The Communist Party has always treated its grip on the PLA as a pillar of its one-party power. President Hu Jintao also serves as chairman of the Central Military Commission, which oversees the PLA, and his term in that job could extend beyond early 2013, when he is due to step down as president.

The Chinese government is usually mute about rifts and scandals. That secretiveness applies especially to the military. Last month, the Liberation Army Daily told troops to ignore online gossip after outlandish rumors of a foiled coup spread on the Internet. That followed the abrupt ousting of Bo, once a contender for a spot in the new central leadership to be unveiled at a party congress later this year.

A source with ties to the PLA told Reuters earlier this year that Gu was under investigation for alleged corruption. Gu formerly oversaw the building of barracks and other military projects as director of the Bureau of Capital Construction and Barracks under the Logistics Department.

Since then, there have been no public announcements about the case. Sources close to the PLA have told Reuters the probe into Gu has encountered resistance or foot-dragging from within the military.

“In recent years, there have been some cases of disciplinary violations in the military that have left painful lessons and a profound warning,” said the commentary in the PLA paper, which told officers to be “models of probity and self-discipline.” PLA officers must undergo strengthened audits and inspections to prevent waste and abuses, it said.

“We must defend the bottom-line of incorruptibility and purity,” said the newspaper commentary. “Regularly check the standards on honest administrative conduct to examine yourself and restrain spouses, children and staff working alongside you.”

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2012/05/16/341168/China-military.htm

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 01:13 AM

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 01:14 AM

Korea nga.

I think the US will be happy that we will buy those FA-50 Korean planes because they were developed in cooperation with some US firms.:cheers:

Perhaps the Philippines might get some concessional loans and discount rates plus some bonus package from Korea.:cheers:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 01:16 AM

I think the US will be happy that we will buy those FA-50 Korean planes because they were developed in cooperation with some US firms.:cheers:

Perhaps the Philippines might get some concessional loans and discount rates plus some bonus package from Korea.:cheers:

Baka si Grace Lee puedeng makiusap sa discount :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Biro lang

vishaya

May 18th, 2012, 01:20 AM

Not sure if this is good news or bad news. I think it is bad because if the US gets dragged in the Israel-Iran conflict, they are likely to concentrate their military assets there

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/plans-strike-iran-ready-says-us-israel-envoy-073850658.html

i don't think this is going to happen until iran have a "proven nuclear weapons breakout capability", else it will just end up like a failed case of iraq war.

any attack on iran will also cause the global economy in shambles, with the global oil supplies greatly reduced.

the first retaliation of iran for such an attack will be the closing of hormuz strait. i read one CIA document about the difficulty in controlling that situation.

the talk of iranian nuclear weapons is greatly exaggerated by the western media. they do have enrichment facilities and they are now producing up to 20% enriched uranium in natanz - but it does not automatically mean they have a nuclear weapon, or they will have anytime soon. if IAEA is right (i have doubts - all reports are just allegations) that iran is doing military research on detonators and delivery systems, so what? i think any military is entitled to weapons research.

IAEA cannot even give an estimate of iran's "breakout" capability.

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 01:21 AM

Baka si Grace Lee puedeng makiusap sa discount :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Biro lang

"Friends" na lang daw sila e. :lol::lol:

Siguro kaya tinutulungan tayo ng Korea kasi ginawa na nilang backyard ang Pinas. Daming nakatira at nagbi-business ng koreano dito. Kaya kung bumili tayo sa Korea madaming discount.

d7beast

May 18th, 2012, 01:29 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 01:34 AM

"Friends" na lang daw sila e. :lol::lol:

Siguro kaya tinutulungan tayo ng Korea kasi ginawa na nilang backyard ang Pinas. Daming nakatira at nagbi-business ng koreano dito. Kaya kung bumili tayo sa Korea madaming discount.

at least mabait sila kumpara sa mga instik :lol:

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 01:43 AM

at least mabait sila kumpara sa mga instik :lol:

Actually, if people to people, ilan beses (dekada na) ko na din nakasalamuha mga Chinese and Koreans because of my work mas ok ang mga Chinese people.Koreans may pagka-racist at matapobre pa nga.

Pinoy workers in Korean factories can attest to that.

On the hand, ok mga Chinese. They treat Pinoys as equal. In fact, at one time when my Chinese friend saw me with a Korean sabi nya, they do not trust them. Ayaw din ng Chinese sa Hapon.

May mutual animosity ang tatlong yellow race na yan.

Kaya its not surprising that Korea and Japan will help us rebuild our military kasi they will also gain something. Economic, political, cultural and military domination of Asia-Pacific ( not Asia as a whole because Southwest or Middle East and South Asia or Indian Subcontinent have different issues)is at stake here.

Proxy war yan.

davidheathe

May 18th, 2012, 01:47 AM

back in college i remember a number of my professors who were former rebels fighting the government talagang makikita mo ung admiration nila sa communist party ng china. i think very obvious ang mindset ng mga tibak ngayon. if they are to choose between the 2, they'd rather choose china. dumaong lang ang sub sa subic nagprotesta na. hellow? stealth nga yun malamang nasa philippine waters na un during the scarborough shoal tension.

a number of my professors din aminado naman they got tired of fighting na. sawa na din ang tao halos wala ng simpatya sila makuha ulike the 60s and 70s. filipinos got tired proof of that sila mismo bumaba na ng bundok and became part of the civil society. pero andun pa rin ung admiration nila kuna sa mga komunista. i think china is overrated. its economy is big pero basahan pa din kung ikocompare mo sa standard of living ng maraming european at other asian tigers. technically it's big pero quality wise, i'd rather have the singaporean living standard than that of beijing.

kung ang singapore, taiwan, japan, skorea, mauunlad na na mga bansa pero hindi maikakaila they are benefitting from the american prescence in the east. tapos etong mahirap na bansa tulad ng pinas kung magsalitang palasyin ung mga puti akala mo kung sino. talking too big akala mo kaya nila.

kung ang europe nga may NATO pa i see no reason why other asian countries wouldn't provide some sort of security blanket for one another with the help of the neighbor from across the pacific.

emotionally may problema yang mga tibak na yan. i forgot the term in psychology. ung parang pag hindi nakuha ung gusto aakyat ng bundok. para namang may magagawa yun. ang tunay na laban wala sa bundok. we've come a long way. may civil society na tayo, may social networks na, highly connected na mga tao dahil sa technology. the best way for social change to take effect is to have the people continuously informed sa mga nangyayari sa paligid nila. ang pag-akyat sa bundok wala magagawa yan. competing sectors of society should know how to use Branding and the Art of Persuasion gamitin sa public to affect change.

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 01:50 AM

Actually, if people to people, ilan beses (dekada na) ko na din nakasalamuha mga Chinese and Koreans because of my work mas ok ang mga Chinese people.Koreans may pagka-racist at matapobre pa nga.

Pinoy workers in Korean factories can attest to that.

On the hand, ok mga Chinese. They treat Pinoys as equal. In fact, at one time when my Chinese friend saw me with a Korean sabi nya, they do not trust them. Ayaw din ng Chinese sa Hapon.

May mutual animosity ang tatlong yellow race na yan.

Kaya its not surprising that Korea and Japan will help us rebuild our military kasi they will also gain something. Economic, political, cultural and military domination of Asia-Pacific ( not Asia as a whole because Southwest or Middle East and South Asia or Indian Subcontinent have different issues)is at stake here.

Proxy war yan.

yea, the three races up there (who look alike, LOL!) seem to hate each other

:lol:

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 01:55 AM

yea, the three races up there (who look alike, LOL!) seem to hate each other

:lol:

Historical e. Japan was almost raped by the Mongolians thru China in the middle ages.

Japan actually raped China when they took Manchuria and overran Nanking/Nanjing.

Korea was raped when Japan annexed the country.

Unfortunately, the Philippines is being raped by these countries today.toinks!:nuts::nuts::bash::bash:

davidheathe

May 18th, 2012, 01:56 AM

one more thing. i once had this male classmate na kabababa lang sa bundok. weird siya. maybe because years of living in the mountains with very few people to deal with i think he had a hard time even making a simple chat with the rest of us. pag may discussion sa class na hindi siya favor you could see it in his eyes he's really uncomfortable. most of the time lalabas siya ng class while the professor is talking because he's so disgusted by the difference in opinion. i mean, in real life talaga namang may difference in opinon. after all, nasa demokrasya ka nga eh. iba talaga mindset nila. pag may ayaw at hindi nakuha agad, akyat ng bundok.

being a rebel is so yesterday. we do our fights daily in the court of public opinion.

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 01:56 AM

Dapat 'tong mga kumag na 'to ay itapon sa harap ng mga chinese vessels sa Scarborough shoal. At gawin sa kanila ito:

bWyI79v6Fic

Note: Ikalat nyo 'tong video na 'to sa facebook para malaman ng mundo ang kagaguhan ng PLA.

Dapat sa kanila, ilagay sa internment camps para ma isolate sila tulad ng ginawa ng mga Amerikano sa Japanese noong WWII.

They're not just nuisance, they are also security threat.

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 01:58 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:01 AM

Historical e. Japan was almost raped by the Mongolians thru China in the middle ages.

Japan actually raped China when they took Manchuria and overran Nanking/Nanjing.

Korea was raped when Japan annexed the country.

Unfortunately, the Philippines is being raped by these countries today.toinks!:nuts::nuts::bash::bash:

Parang we will raped you because we were raped..

toinks!

Mga depressed ata mga yan :lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:02 AM

Pati Korean journalist, napapansin na kayabangan ng CCP

China`s arrogance toward `small countries`

Dai Bingguo, a State Councilor and top diplomat of China, called the Philippines a "small country." In a speech to the Chinese People`s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, he began his controversial comments by saying that while China must remain humble and not arrogant toward other countries, being humble and vigilant are not the same as being weak. Dai then added, "Smaller countries should not bully larger countries, for instance, the Philippines." To the Philippine people, this comment might have sounded like a warning that a small country should not stand up against China.

Dai is China`s top diplomat. After serving as ambassador to Hungary, assistant deputy foreign minister, deputy foreign minister and director of the international liaison department of the Communist Party of China, he was elected in 2008 by the National People`s Congress as state councilor in charge of foreign affairs, a deputy premier-level position. Since he is accustomed to indirect and ambiguous diplomatic rhetoric, his bluntness on disparaging smaller countries carry unusual gravity. He might have made unreserved comments at a gathering of only Chinese people. Chinese media, however, are also chiming in with his reference to small countries. The Global Times, an English-language Chinese newspaper under the state-run People`s Daily, the official paper of the Communist Party, ran an article urging China to not confront a small country like the Philippines face-to-face.

Beijing has a territorial dispute with Manila over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is called Huangyan Island in China, in the South China Sea. When a Philippine naval vessel attempted to capture eight Chinese fishing boats operating illegally near the outcrops, a Chinese patrol ship scurried to the scene and had a stand-off. Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying summoned the Philippine ambassador in Beijing, warning that China "will not rule out the use of force." China has also stopped Chinese from traveling to the Philippines. The disputed outcrops are 230 kilometers away from the Philippines and 1,000 kilometers from China. The Philippines blames China for coveting Philippine territory.

China denies that it is seeking hegemony, but it changes its attitude in the event of a territorial dispute. Four days ago, Chinese President Hu Jintao rejected a proposal from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for a summit, indicating his discontent over Tokyo`s strengthened territorial claim over the Senkaku Islands, which are called Diaoyu in China. Since China seems disregarded by Japan and looks down on the Philippines as a small country, Beijing`s actions are not surprising. China seems to be pursuing hegemony based on its economic and military power.

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2012051884188

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 02:03 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:05 AM

It seems like they are looking at the wrong role models. :lol:

They have not a single clue how truly wicked they really were during the time of Mao The Dung.

:lol:

Idol din kaya nila ang Bolshevics na cold blooded murderers lang.

They overthrew the Tsar, yeah, but they did massacre them too

Christian_123

May 18th, 2012, 02:10 AM

^^Parang double copy pasted yun na quote mo. Nalito ako basahin.... :lol:

China picked the wrong country to bully....Go philippines! Continue Noynoying :lol: !

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:11 AM

^^Parang double copy pasted yun na quote mo. Nalito ako basahin.... :lol:

China picked the wrong country to bully....Go philippines! Continue Noynoying :lol: !

kaya na eh..edited na :D

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:15 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Japan is planning to provide maritime vessels, including 1,000-ton patrol ships, to the Philippines to “support the island country in its territorial dispute against China,” a Japanese newspaper reported in March, weeks before tensions erupted over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippine Navy said it welcomed any form of assistance from any nation but could not confirm whether Japan had made such a commitment to the Philippine government.

In a March 22 report carried by KBS World Radio, a Korean English-language news website, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese-language newspaper, was quoted as saying that Japan “has decided to provide the

Philippines with patrol ships” by year’s end.

“The newspaper said that Japan has decided to provide vessels, including 1,000-ton patrol ships, to the Philippines by the end of the year,” KBS World Radio said.

Not official yet

But the Japanese Embassy here Thursday said Japan “has not yet officially decided” if it would provide the Philippines with the maritime patrol vessels.

“The government of Japan is still considering whether to include them under its official development aid” to the Philippines, the embassy’s information and press center told the Inquirer.

KBS World Radio said the move to supply the Philippines with patrol vessels came after the government last year eased the “Three Principles of Arms Export,” a law which proscribes Japanese export of arms.

It quoted the Japanese paper as saying “this is a move to raise the Philippines’ maritime safety capabilities in the South China Sea, where it is clashing with China over sovereignty rights.”

“The United States and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are said to be keeping China in check as part of their efforts to maintain maritime security, which Japan also supports,” KBS World Radio said.

Added boost

Navy spokesperson Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the Navy would appreciate the added boost to its capability, considering recent circumstances, but he said he could not confirm whether such plans were really in place.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said the military was not part of the discussions, but that information reaching him indicated that the ships in discussion would be smaller than the reported 1,000-ton vessels.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces Chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa Thursday said the process of building “a credible defense” for the

Philippines was moving fast, with a new warship arriving on May 22, as well as eight new combat helicopters and radar facilities.

During a visit to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan Thursday, Dellosa said the purchase of new hardware would help the armed forces build a “modest deterrent capability.”

The AFP chief met with Western Command Commander Juancho Sabban and key officers to assess the situation at the disputed Panatag Shoal just 200 kilometers off Masinloc in Zambales province.

On April 10, tensions rose between China and the Philippines over disputed fishing grounds in Panatag, known as Scarborough internationally and as Huangyan island to the Chinese.

2nd ship from US

Dellosa said the government would “formally receive” its second Hamilton-class naval vessel from the United States on May 22. The first such acquisition, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, figured in the early part of the Scarborough standoff with Chinese vessels when its crew tried to arrest a group of Chinese poachers caught red-handed inside the disputed shoal. With Jerry E. Esplanada

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/37235/japan-eyes-maritime-aid-for-philippine-defense

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 02:18 AM

Parang we will raped you because we were raped..

toinks!

Mga depressed ata mga yan :lol:

Di ba ganyan talaga ayon sa psychoanalysis? suppressed feelings!toinks!:lol::lol::lol:

CarltonHill

May 18th, 2012, 02:19 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:22 AM

parang ang hirap maniwala na bukal sa loob nila itong mga nag-rarally na to "anti-US"... Karamihan kasi ay mukhang bata pa... looks like on their 20's... yan siguro yung mga walang magawa sa kanila at mga tambay... for sure binayaran yang mga yan..

ayos palang jejemon na :lol:

The Scarborough issue has brought to the surface the dynamics of two superpowers, America and China. I believe that China made a gambit to deliver a message to the Philippines, that being submissive or pliant to US interests in the region using our country is unacceptable. I believe that it was always unacceptable but China bided its time before making a direct move to disrupt the configuration of US-Philippine relations. Today, China may believe that it has reached parity in the arms race and actually moving more strongly in the economic field. Today, China sends that message to the United States through the Philippines, or through what it is doing to the Philippines.

Of course, the United States, while saying it is not taking sides in a dispute over Scarborough Shoal, conducts military exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and allows a most modern submarine to surface and be photographed. America recognizes the growing strategic importance of Asia and it knows it does not have enough influence in a region dominated by China and Muslims. Where can America go after its bases in Japan are being dismantled? It still has South Korea but understands that these are not enough. The Muslim region is closer to the Philippines, the only other country where the possibility of hosting US bases or a revolving armed presence via the Visiting Forces Agreement.

China wanted us to negotiate directly with them through bilateral diplomacy talks. We had no need to so it created an issue, a delicate issue. That is why I term it a gambit. How else can China send us, and the United States, a clear message in indirect terms? But it is still a gambit because it pushes Filipinos nearer to America than farther away. Perhaps, China though we would react in fear and quickly negotiate. Instead, China is triggering patriotism to become alive when it was largely asleep. That patriotism is not enough to stand up against China, but it can still be heated more if China ups the ante. China, though, is part of a global village, and it is also very careful about bullying because the Asean will feel bullied, too.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/28873/corona-china-and-hungry-filipinos

Christian_123

May 18th, 2012, 02:22 AM

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/37235/japan-eyes-maritime-aid-for-philippine-defense

Salamat japan sa tulong.....Quits na tayo sa ginawa nyo sa amin nung world war 2..:lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:23 AM

Talk. That’s the only way to settle the dispute between the Philippines and China over the Panatag (or Scarborough) Shoal.

That was the answer of Vice President Jejomar Binay to the question: How would you solve the dispute if you become President? Binay was the lone guest at the Kapihan sa Manila at the Diamond Hotel last Monday. Binay will seek the presidency in 2016.

We are no match militarily to the giant China. We can’t afford a shooting war over the shoal. It would be like David fighting Goliath, but this time David cannot defeat Goliath with his slingshot.

We are no match to China economically, either. Even now, China is using economic pressure on the Philippines by banning the importation of Philippine bananas and pineapple. Chinese tour operators have also cancelled tours to the Philippines by Chinese tourists. China is the Philippines’ fourth biggest source of tourists. The loss of Philippine banana and pineapple exports to China and the loss of Chinese tourists are a big blow to our economy.

Binay said, however, that the ban on Philippine bananas, allegedly due to “pest infestation,” was imposed a month before the start of the Panatag standoff, when both China and the Philippines sent warships to the shoal, a favorite fishing spot for both countries. Both countries are also claiming the shoal as part of their territories. A vast lake of oil and natural gas is believed to be under the shoal, and that is really the root of the problem, not the fish. The shoal is a string of reefs, rocks and islets in the West Philippine Sea. It is only 124 nautical miles off Zambales province but 472 nautical miles from the nearest Chinese coast.

In a meeting with banana farmers in Mindanao, President Aquino advised them to look for markets other than China for their bananas. He also said the Department of Tourism and tour operators should entice tourists from other countries to come here. Vice President Binay’s advice is to keep talking to the Chinese.

Some Filipinos have proposed a boycott of Chinese products, but Filipino traders, especially the retailers in Divisoria where most of the cheap Chinese products are sold, protested, saying that similar products made here and in other countries are expensive.

To boost friendly relations and negotiations with China, the President has appointed two special envoys to China, Cesar Zalamea and Domingo Lee, who was earlier appointed as the regular ambassador to China but was bypassed three times by the Commission on Appointments.

Binay’s position in the Cabinet is that of housing czar tasked with providing homes for millions of homeless Filipinos. Binay told the Kapihan that starting this year, the National Housing Authority (NHA) will begin constructing medium-rise buildings within Metro Manila as homes for squatters, who would have to pay for their dwellings in small instalments. If the dweller no longer needs the unit, he cannot sell the rights to it and must surrender it to the NHA, which will award it to the next qualified applicant. That is to prevent speculation in government housing.

One of the incentives to squatting is that relocated squatters can sell the rights to the homes or lots awarded to them and then go back to squatting, hoping to be given another relocation lot which they can again sell. And there are many willing buyers because the lots are cheap.

Another incentive to squatting is politics. In many areas, candidates themselves bring in the squatters to vote for them. The squatter colonies get bigger and bigger as more squatters arrive, encouraged by the barangay captains and other politicians who use them as voters and collect a little fee or rent from each for themselves.

Many squatter colonies have associations (whose officers are not elected by the members but are appointed by themselves) that force each squatter to pay monthly dues. Nobody knows where the money of the alleged association goes. But each squatter family has to pay or else it is forced out of the colony which is owned by some hapless lot owner who cannot get any help from the government to get back his property.

One reason relocated squatters go back to squatting in Metro Manila is that the relocation sites are very far from where they eke a living and transportation costs eat up most of their earnings. Medium-rise buildings within Metro Manila for the squatters will remedy that, Binay said. The commuter trains of the Philippine National Railroad may also give relocated squatters free rides so transportation won’t be a problem for them.

On politics, Binay named five candidates who are already in the senatorial ticket of UNA, the political party that he heads. They are Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Gregorio Honasan, and the sons of three entrenched politicians: Rep. JV Ejercito, son of former President Erap; Rep. Jackie Enrile, son of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; and Joey de Venecia, son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia.

What about former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was earlier reported to be in the ticket but whose entry was opposed vehemently by Pimentel (president of PDP-Laban, one of the parties comprising UNA)? Zubiri has joined Erap’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), Binay’s principal partner in UNA.

With Zubiri a senatorial candidate of PMP, can Pimentel still resist his inclusion in the UNA ticket?

Binay’s reply: “I am still the chairman of UNA. What I say goes.”

http://opinion.inquirer.net/28887/binay-on-ph-china-rift-squatters-and-politics

waraywaray architect

May 18th, 2012, 02:23 AM

There is only one word to describe the leftists: Clueless

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 02:31 AM

http://opinion.inquirer.net/28887/binay-on-ph-china-rift-squatters-and-politics

No to Binay.

He's all talk.

Laway lang. I doubt he will modernize our capabilities if he's the current president right now - and he would probably give in to their pressure quite easily. He can't even take his own local squatters out, so what more if they are foreign squatters?

Baka kailangan rin nya ang mga boto nila. :lol:

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 02:34 AM

Pati Korean journalist, napapansin na kayabangan ng CCP

China`s arrogance toward `small countries`

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2012051884188

The nerve to spread around that we are the bully. :lol::lol:

CarltonHill

May 18th, 2012, 02:37 AM

ayos palang jejemon na :lol:

:okay: yup... at yung iba pa-planking planking pa..spray kung saan saan... sometimes it makes me think tuloy na baka binayaran lang sila ng mga chekwa dito. :lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:39 AM

The nerve to spread around that we are the bully. :lol::lol:

may insecurity mga yan kaya yan ang pinagkakalat nila... :lol:

They're so pissed off that we refuse to acknowledge them as a "superpower".

Malakas si Papa Sugar sa atin eh :lol::lol::lol:

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 02:41 AM

parang ang hirap maniwala na bukal sa loob nila itong mga nag-rarally na to "anti-US"... Karamihan kasi ay mukhang bata pa... looks like on their 20's... yan siguro yung mga walang magawa sa kanila at mga tambay... for sure binayaran yang mga yan..

Honestly, I was really surprised of this China aggressiveness towards the Philippines. Alam ko because of Spratly's and Mischief and yes the Scarborough issue before pero na-trigger na ito siguro nung NBN-ZTE at iba pang cancelled Chinese contract plus that unfortunate August Hongkong tourists incident.

By the way, we are not even the weakest among the Spratly's claimant, nandyan ang Brunei ata. Pero may asim ang Brunei kasi puro bago ang armaments nila kaya lang malaki pa ang population ng Cavite keysa sa kanila.:lol::lol:

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 02:43 AM

may insecurity mga yan kaya yan ang pinagkakalat nila... :lol:

They're so pissed off that we refuse to acknowledge them as a "superpower".

Malakas si Papa Sugar sa atin eh :lol::lol::lol:

Because they are not a real superpower since it's made in China. :lol::lol:

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 02:43 AM

Because they are not a real superpower since it's made in China. :lol::lol:

Supot power China!:lol::lol::lol:

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 02:44 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:46 AM

Honestly, I was really surprised of this China aggressiveness towards the Philippines. Alam ko because of Spratly's and Mischief and yes the Scarborough issue before pero na-trigger na ito siguro nung NBN-ZTE at iba pang cancelled Chinese contract plus that unfortunate August Hongkong tourists incident.

By the way, we are not even the weakest among the Spratly's claimant, nandyan ang Brunei ata. Pero may asim ang Brunei kasi puro bago ang armaments nila kaya lang malaki pa ang population ng Cavite keysa sa kanila.:lol::lol:

Buti nga naano yan NBN-ZTE baka naiispy na tayo kung natuloy yan :lol: At saka parang wala silang law against getting involved in corruption overseas. Nabahiran na nga ng skandalo, di pa sila nagback out :lol:

On the HK incident naman, they can criticize the government in action all they want. It is their prerogative but to take it to the territorial dispute?

If I remember right, sa buzzing sa Reed bank "lumala" ang lahat, that was just shortly after the OFW drug mule na binitay.

From what I see, the CCP do not know diplomacy.

Buti pa nga yung Taiwan, they handled the rift as regards to the deportation of Taiwanese to China better.

CarltonHill

May 18th, 2012, 02:47 AM

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:48 AM

Because they are not a real superpower since it's made in China. :lol::lol:

Supot power China!:lol::lol::lol:

Kapag nagawa nila yung ginawa ni Papa Sugar nung WW2, dun lang sila magiging superpower -- fighting TWO fronts of a major war without even bringing the war to the mainland :lol:

Hindi yung patraidor lumaban (kunwari diplomatic eh nagnanakaw naman ng US tech :lol:) at saka ang binubully eh mga bansang mahina ang military

Kili-kili power of Asia ang CCP :lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:53 AM

Pst! May chismis ako sa inyo :lol:

Calls to boycott Chinese products amid a month-old standoff between the Philippines and China over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Thursday gained major support from no less than a "friend" of President Benigno Aquino III – radio and TV host Grace Lee.

Lee, in posts on her Twitter account early Thursday, said she would "take on the challenge" of boycotting Chinese products, though she admitted it may be difficult.

"Boycotting Chinese products... possible? I take on the challenge! No more new Chinese product for me (from) this day forward until... lets see," she said.

Some groups had called for a boycott of Chinese products after the standoff started last April.

The row started when Philippine military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species in the area, but were blocked by Chinese vessels from making arrests.

Lee said the boycott may be hard but still worth a try.

"I know it's hard, but I really think it's worth a try. Not saying get rid of the existing Chinese products you already own. Just no new purchase," she said.

According to her, she would approach the boycott like a "countdown," seeing how many days she could go without Chinese products.

Lee did not specify what Chinese products she usually uses.

"Okay, I'll do like a countdown. lets see how many days I can go without Chinese products," she said.

Lee is still considered a "friend" by President Aquino, who she had been dating in past months.

On Wednesday, Aquino said in an interview on Bombo Radyo they are "friends," giving credence to rumors that he and Lee have split.

Aquino and Lee first met on June 27 last year in Cebu where Lee was one of the masters of ceremonies at the inauguration of a 200-MW coal-fired power plant. — LBG, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/258474/showbiz/grace-lee-to-try-boycotting-chinese-products-amid-shoal-row

Sinong susunod, si Shivaker? Sam Oh? Sandara? :lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 02:58 AM

China: 'Foreign' violators of fishing ban face 'punishments' (http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/258581/news/nation/china-foreign-violators-of-fishing-ban-face-punishments)

China on Thursday night reminded the Philippines and other "foreign" fishermen of "punishments" if they violate an ongoing fishing ban in parts of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

A news article posted on the Chinese government's web portal pointed out the fishing ban "is also applicable to foreign ships."

"Violators will face punishments such as fines, license revocations, confiscations and possible criminal charges, according to a statement issued by the fishery bureau under the (Ministry of Agriculture), " it said.

It also quoted the provincial fishing authority as saying fishing vessels with fishing permits for the Nansha Islands are required to install and activate positioning equipment "so they will not accidentally enter banned areas."

The Chinese government also quoted a spokesman from the fishery bureau under the MOA as saying earlier this week that fishing activity conducted by foreign ships in banned areas will be seen as a "blatant encroachment on China's fishery resources."

The Yuzheng-310 and Yuzheng-303 law enforcement vessels were sent to the region by the MOA on Tuesday to conduct patrols, it added.

"Imposing the fishing ban is conducive to protecting fish during their egg-laying season, increasing fish stocks and improving the biological environment," said Tang Jianye, a professor specializing in maritime policy and law at Shanghai Ocean University.

The two-and-a-half-month fishing ban began at noon Wednesday in most parts of the South China Sea, China said.

It added the Hainan provincial marine and fishing department said all 8,994 of the area's locally-registered fishing vessels have been moored.

The annual fishing ban, which has been in place since 1999, will last from May 16 to August 1 and will cover areas north of the 12th parallel, including Huangyan Island but excluding most of the Nansha Islands.

Huangyan Island is how China refers to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, site of a month-old standoff between the Philippines and China.

The standoff began when Philippine military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species in the area, but were blocked by Chinese vessels when they tried to make arrests.

On the other hand, the Philippines also declared its own fishing ban in the disputed area.

The Yuzheng-310 and Yuzheng-303 law enforcement vessels were sent to the region by the MOA on Tuesday to conduct patrols, it added.

Last Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the fishing ban "is not related to the ongoing Huangyan Island incident."

But Tong Xiaoling, China's ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Wednesday that China has every right to defend its sovereignty and protect its fishery resources. — LBG, GMA News

matapos mamataan ang mga Chinese fishermen despite the fishing ban, huhuliin daw nila ang foreign violators

Sa "foreign violators" lang ata applicable ban nila :lol:

Askal82

May 18th, 2012, 03:01 AM

"But Tong Xiaoling, China's ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Wednesday that China has every right to defend its sovereignty and protect its fishery resources. — LBG, GMA News "

Since when did they protect their fishery resources? They allowed their own fishermen to poach marine life off our waters they are claiming.

I think that's a fake fishing ban. :lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 03:04 AM

I think the Chinese are so insecure that they have to really comment on our major news websites :lol: just to "prove" they are right :lol:

Dapat Tagalugin nalang ata mga yan

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 03:12 AM

PNoy says it’s good to own but better to share resources (www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/258558/news/nation/pnoy-says-its-good-to-own-but-better-to-share-resources)

President Benigno Aquino III reiterated that he will not give up any part of the Philippines but expressed readiness to share resources with other countries.

“I am not empowered to give up any of our territory. I am still bound by an oath that I took to defend and uphold the Constitution and enforce all of our laws,” said Aquino in remarks before alumni of some of the top US universities Wednesday night in Makati City.

“So if it’s clear that we have a 200-mile exclusive economic zone, designated by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea, and both of us are parties to it, is it too much to ask that our rights are respected by our neighbors in the same token that we respect their rights?” he added.

The Philippines has been in a month-long standoff with China over ownership of the Scarborough shoal, also known as the Panatag Shoal.

Aside from this disputed area, the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and Vietnam are all also claiming the Spratly Islands. The islands are believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits.

Aquino said his administration continues to communicate with China in an effort to find a win-win solution. He said, “I’m not saying that let us all consume this or let us be the sole winner of exploitation of resources there.”

He also said all the countries in the region “should be focused on how to improve our people‘s lives and the only way to do that is by stability. And stability comes from your ability to look at your neighbor’s interests and try to assist him in his own route towards improving the people’s standards of living.

“If we are able to exploit these resources, that redounds to benefit of the entire region. We will be less dependent on oil from the Middle East and North Africa.”

Aquino said that the Philippines has been a good neighbor. But it cannot always say yes to the wants of other countries.

“Just because you say so, we have to always say ‘yes’? Where do we draw the line? ‘Yung Recto Bank is 80 miles from us. There are areas that are even closer. So if we keep on subtracting about 30 percent, and not to be flippant about it, if you don’t draw the line somewhere will we be having claims against us on the Pasig River or other rivers, or the opposite bank ,” he said.

The President pointed out that the country is exploring ways and means to resolve the conflict.

“We keep on reemphasizing that we are not for conflict. We do not want to present a threat to them in any shape, manner or form, or whatsoever in terms of military action,” Aquino said. — DVM/ELR, GMA News

Share with ASEAN - YES. Share with China? No! Unless the CCP goes!

3cr

May 18th, 2012, 03:13 AM

PH open to joint exploitation, search for win-win solution continues
InterAksyon.com
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32205/ph-open-to-joint-exploitation-in-disputed-areas-search-for-win-win-solution-continues

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III said Thursday the Philippines is continuously looking for a win-win solution with China to end the standoff in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal). This, even as he indicated Manila’s openness to a joint exploitation of resources in the disputed areas within the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) with Beijing and other claimant-countries.

“We have not stopped having communications with them in trying to look for the win-win situation,” the President said during a forum organized by the alumni of Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Makati City Wednesday night.

“I’m not saying that let us all consume this or let us be the sole winner of exploitation of resources there. From the very beginning, I think all of us should be focused on how to improve our people‘s lives and the only way to do that is from stability,” the President added.

Aquino said the Philippines is a “good neighbor” even to countries that have disputing claims in Panatag, Reed Bank and in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Islands). But the President stressed that the Philippines will not give up any of its territory.

“I am not empowered to give up any of our territory…I am still bound by an oath that I took to defend and uphold the Constitution and enforce all of our laws,” he said. “If it’s clear that we have a 200-mile economic zone, exclusive economic zone, designated by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas, and both of us (Manila and Beijing) are parties to it, is it too much to ask that our rights are respected by our neighbors in the same token that we respect their rights?”

The President reiterated that the Philippines is not out to escalate tensions with China. “We keep on re-emphasizing that we are not for conflict. We do not want to present a threat to them in any shape, manner or form, or whatsoever in terms of military action,” he said.

“I keep using a joke - even if it were just a boxing match they’re 1.3 billion (Chinese) and we’re 95 or 93 million. We will not prevail. And that is not the route and our Constitution actually prohibits it (armed conflict with another country),” Aquino added.

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 03:15 AM

^^ hindi pa parang contradictory yang "joint exploration" na yan sa sinasabi nya?

waraywaray architect

May 18th, 2012, 03:17 AM

Since when did they protect their fishery resources? They allowed their own fishermen to poach marine life off our waters they are claiming.

I think that's a fake fishing ban. :lol:

Nobody will believe these liars even if they are telling the truth! This is just pure propaganda by the Politburo.

China Politburo = Shameless

hakz2007

May 18th, 2012, 03:23 AM

hakz2007

May 18th, 2012, 03:24 AM

Japan eyes maritime aid for Philippine defense
MANILA, Philippines – Japan is planning to provide maritime vessels, including 1,000-ton patrol ships, to the Philippines to “support the island country in its territorial dispute against China,” a Japanese newspaper reported in March, weeks before tensions erupted over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippine Navy said it welcomed any form of assistance from any nation but could not confirm whether Japan had made such a commitment to the Philippine government.

In a March 22 report carried by KBS World Radio, a Korean English-language news website, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese-language newspaper, was quoted as saying that Japan “has decided to provide the

Philippines with patrol ships” by year’s end.

“The newspaper said that Japan has decided to provide vessels, including 1,000-ton patrol ships, to the Philippines by the end of the year,” KBS World Radio said.Read more (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/37235/japan-eyes-maritime-aid-for-philippine-defense)

hakz2007

May 18th, 2012, 03:25 AM

Fleet of Philippine fishing boats sailing to Panatag
MANILA, Philippines - A fleet of fishing boats are sailing to Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) Friday to reinforce the country’s territorial claim over the rich fishing ground, 124 nautical miles from Zambales province, which is being claimed by China as part of its maritime domain.

Leading the Panatag fishing expedition is former Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and former Annapolis cadet Manny Albuera.

Fishermen from Faeldon's home province, Batanes, and Masinloc town, which is part of Zambales province, are slated to fish in Panatag Shoal, which China has included in its declared fishing holiday.Read more (http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=63&articleid=807979)

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 03:26 AM

Ganda ng intro sa new thread, hakz!

:okay:

pau_p1

May 18th, 2012, 03:40 AM

oh.. what happened to the previous thread?... i was reading the 53rd page and i got an error that the page no longer exists...

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 03:41 AM

oh.. what happened to the previous thread?... i was reading the 53rd page and i got an error that the page no longer exists...

It's here

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=455536&page=994

pau_p1

May 18th, 2012, 03:45 AM

It's here

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=455536&page=994

thanks dude!...

lochinvar

May 18th, 2012, 04:36 AM

We need to have more of that shoulder fired missile in Spratleys just in case the Chinese navy starts to bombard the islets.

CarltonHill

May 18th, 2012, 04:48 AM

sana yung isa pang nakatakdang dumating na submarine galing america ay mag-stay ng matagal....

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 04:58 AM

US think-tank warns China spat to worsen (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/05/18/12/us-think-tank-warns-china-spat-worsen)

“Is China’s expanding security footprint in the South China Sea a problem for the US as well as Southeast Asia?,” Tkacik asked, “As former Asia policy aide to President George W. Bush, Michael Green, put it: ‘The Chinese are elbowing, seeing how far they can go before the referee blows the whistle on them and they get a yellow card . . . This is also a [Chinese] signal to Vietnam, the Philippines, and the smaller countries in the region, that ‘look, if we can do this to the Americans, what chance do you think you have?’”

More (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/05/18/12/us-think-tank-warns-china-spat-worsen)

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 05:00 AM

Below are some of the items i consider for the purchase of our air assets:

-FEATURES: -DESCRIPTION: -OPTION:

- Engine -Twin -MUST
- Speed -Supersonic -MUST
- Capability -Multirole fighter -MUST
- Signature -Stealth -WANT
- Armaments -Standard load outs -MUST
- Budget/plane -50MUS$ max -MUST
- Condition -New -MUST

based on above items considered, I prefer an US F-18 or Russian PAKFA-50. At 50MUS$ each 10 to 12 of these planes would establish air superiority and anti naval strike capability within our 200NM EZ at the West Philippine Seas. Then another squadron of those trainer/fighters for maritime patrol or the subsonic harriers (we can land them on the shoals like sea birds or station some at the Kalayaan islands as it does not require airfields), then the 1.2BUSD allocated could still support batteries of mobile antiship mislles along the coast facing the West Philippine Seas and small fast attack crafts armed with antiship and anti air portable configuration missile systems. This is assuming we have billion US$ funds especially allocated, or we can take from our foreign reserves the funding.

Stealth capabilities is not important at the moment the fact our fighter planes will be used as defense.

The Philippine government may not need the best multi-role jet since that would be too costly. At the same time, should think twice on purchasing low-cost jets but are unreliable.

Best is to purchase multi-role fighters that suits our country's needs and provide defense. JAS Gripen is the perfect example when talking about non-US fighters.

Other than fighter planes, our Navy should also upgrade and the purchase of another Hamilton class ship is a start.

As for the Army, better to purchase night-attack choppers instead of battle tanks. Also upgrade the standard assault rifle of The Philippine Army from the M-16 to the M-4 or purchase better firearms such as Singapore's SAR-21 and so on.

kenken94

May 18th, 2012, 05:23 AM

Bilis ng thread ah. hahaha! :lol:

Lilyr

May 18th, 2012, 05:23 AM

US think-tank warns China spat to worsen (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/05/18/12/us-think-tank-warns-china-spat-worsen)

More (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/05/18/12/us-think-tank-warns-china-spat-worsen)

And yet the dumb military generals under Obama want better miltary to military ties...
Hey Papa don't look at us when they try steal more of your tech secrets:nuts:

Mercato

May 18th, 2012, 05:28 AM

Kamusta na yuong mga kumukurap-corrupt na Heneral po nila?

Still laughing all the way to the bank I suppose?

Hala sige, pakawalan nyo pa at wag nyong ukulan ng pansin para tastas yang mga bolsa ninyo.

Mercato

May 18th, 2012, 05:34 AM

There is a legal way of doing things - binding, permanent, non-military, very little loss of blood and limbs, very little loss of resources, recognized by many.

Subalit, Ngunit, Pero! Ayaw ng mga Abogago de Kampanilya ng DFA. Wala rin namang binatbat yung sa panig nila sa Militar puro hot air at pektyurs laang. O anong gusto ng Malakanyang? Nakanganga sa paghihintay ng biyaya at milagro???

Bakit napakailap at napakahirap ba ng ITLOS na yan??? Kung anong hawak na alas ng bansa, siya namang panay tinatapon sa basura ng mga walang alam na abogago...

al_kohol

May 18th, 2012, 05:44 AM

This vid just gave a hint.I think Phil will choose Korea's T-50 supersonic advanced trainer and multirole fighter,not Yak-130 (Russia) or Aermacchi M-346 Master (Russia + Italy).

Watch [Al Jazeera May 17,2012]
Oim8FB2fMHI&feature=g-all-u

AmbutLang

May 18th, 2012, 05:55 AM

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 06:22 AM

d7beast: do you think guys we do not have 10~20 fighter pilots capable of handling these fighter planes??? i remember one time the PAF chiel flew an F18 and Mig 29's, if they can fly those old turbo props and the rusty air assets, do you think they cannot handle these birds with advance in-flight correction systems called fly by wire???THINK!!!

Ipadala sila muna ang mga piloto sa flight simulator school bago mag training sa US air force military.

That is why our air force pilots will be trained so they will be capable to fly any future fighter jets. Not just basic training but also learn how to dogfight.

And I'm sure our pilots will have the same dedication in flying these planes especially if they are brand new.

It would be cool to see our air force pilots perform some nice stunts or maneuver during Philippine Independence Day parade especially with new fighters.

As with the T-50s, the question is if these planes are capable if encountered Chinese planes say The J-11.

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 07:14 AM

And yet the dumb military generals under Obama want better miltary to military ties...
Hey Papa don't look at us when they try steal more of your tech secrets:nuts:

Papa is likely doing a mistake worse than pre WW 2 japan

One day, we're gonna say "I told you, papa!"

pi_malejana

May 18th, 2012, 07:31 AM

cancelled na daw ung trip ni Faeldon sa panatag... mismong si PNoy ang tumawag...:)

RonnieR

May 18th, 2012, 07:40 AM

Japan eyes maritime aid for Philippine defense
DJ Yap and Redempto D. Anda, Asia News Network (Philippine Daily Inquirer) | Fri, 05/18/2012 10:38 AM

Japan is planning to provide maritime vessels, including 1,000-tonne patrol ships, to the Philippines to “support the island country in its territorial dispute against China,” a Japanese newspaper reported in March, weeks before tensions erupted over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippine Navy said it welcomed any form of assistance from any nation but could not confirm whether Japan had made such a commitment to the Philippine government.

In a March 22 report carried by KBS World Radio, a Korean English-language news website, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese-language newspaper, was quoted as saying that Japan “has decided to provide the Philippines with patrol ships” by year’s end.

"The newspaper said that Japan has decided to provide vessels, including 1,000-tonne patrol ships, to the Philippines by the end of the year,” KBS World Radio said.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/18/japan-eyes-maritime-aid-philippine-defense.html

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 09:19 AM

As with the T-50s, the question is if these planes are capable if encountered Chinese planes say The J-11.

I think those Chinese J-11 are nothing more but pirated versions of Russian aircrafts like Sukhoi so Im thinking they are more effective on paper but not on actual combat.:lol::lol:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Chinese_Su-27.JPG/800px-Chinese_Su-27.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Chinese_Su-27.JPG/800px-Chinese_Su-27.JPG
The Shenyang J-11 Flanker B+ is a single-seat, twin-engine jet fighter based on the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-27

vs. (possible Philippine acquisition)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4sHLP5ghWw8/TZmOc3OKbvI/AAAAAAAAB9w/agHwIgzvDks/s1600/South+Korea+T-50+Golden+Eagle+Trainer.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4sHLP5ghWw8/TZmOc3OKbvI/AAAAAAAAB9w/agHwIgzvDks/s1600/South+Korea+T-50+Golden+Eagle+Trainer.jpg
The T-50 Golden Eagle design is largely derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.[15]

Sou-jiro

May 18th, 2012, 09:38 AM

hmmm mukhang may nag protest dahil sa dumating sa US Submarine!

Inuutil talaga mga rallyistang yan!...pwede ba ipa riding in tandem na lang maga patay gutom na yan!

Mga patay gutom!! mura lang naman riding in tandem!

Bakit ba napaka bait at tinotolerate mga communist na yan!leche!

Salot sa lipunan mga patay gutom na yan!! bakait ayaw sa Chinese embassy sila mag rally...bakit binibigyan ba sila ng China ng sako ng bigas?...mga patay gutom na sipsip.

puro sila reklamo...tambay at tamad naman! kaysa mag protesta sila.....bakit ayaw nalang gamitin ang lakas paghahanap trabaho...kahit ano hindi yung puro rally at reklamo!

lahat isisi sa gobyerno...anak naman ng anak wala pa papakain...mga inutil mga yan. Di dapat kaawaan....

by the way hindi ako nang lalahat! so I dont mean to genralize Di naman lahat ng protestors ay ganyan.

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 09:54 AM

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 09:56 AM

I think those Chinese J-11 are nothing more but pirated versions of Russian aircrafts like Sukhoi so Im thinking they are more effective on paper but not on actual combat.:lol::lol:

vs. (possible Philippine acquisition)

The T-50 Golden Eagle design is largely derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.[15]

I don't even think any of China's modern fighter jets have been engaged in any combat especially international.

As for the T-50. I don't know these planes just looks small. That is why I would go for those full-scale MRFs.

915bungohunter

May 18th, 2012, 09:59 AM

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6119/6314516917_4dfa5d3eb7_z.jpg

anong clase itong anti tank weapon na ito pang PSG men ba ito?

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 10:03 AM

Japan eyes maritime aid for Philippine defense
DJ Yap and Redempto D. Anda, Asia News Network (Philippine Daily Inquirer) | Fri, 05/18/2012 10:38 AM

Japan is planning to provide maritime vessels, including 1,000-tonne patrol ships, to the Philippines to “support the island country in its territorial dispute against China,” a Japanese newspaper reported in March, weeks before tensions erupted over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

"The newspaper said that Japan has decided to provide vessels, including 1,000-tonne patrol ships, to the Philippines by the end of the year,” KBS World Radio said.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/18/japan-eyes-maritime-aid-philippine-defense.html

Sana totoo with no strings attached.

Tayo naman will be use by Japan to agitate China.

Kasi baka matulad World War Two, Korean and Taiwanese/Formosan conscripts were used to wipe out Asian countries. And these conscripts are said to be alot cruel than their Japanese masters.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUri62Koigg/T7X0ZyVmXEI/AAAAAAAANgo/cXCXiyKX_XU/s400/shiretoko_os-dream.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUri62Koigg/T7X0ZyVmXEI/AAAAAAAANgo/cXCXiyKX_XU/s400/shiretoko_os-dream.jpg
The oldest 1.000 ton ship operated by Japan Coast Guard is Shiretoko class high endurance cutters (970 ton and 77,8m in length), Japan has 26 ships of this type with hull number PL-101 to PL-128, all ships built between 1978 -1981 (photo : os-dream)
http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2012/05/japan-provides-patrol-ships-to.html

pi_malejana

May 18th, 2012, 10:09 AM

I don't even think any of China's modern fighter jets have been engaged in any combat especially international.

and neither are the F-22s yet they're still regarded as the best fighter around... they may just be copies but don't count them out...

jpdm

May 18th, 2012, 10:14 AM

I don't even think any of China's modern fighter jets have been engaged in any combat especially international.

As for the T-50. I don't know these planes just looks small. That is why I would go for those full-scale MRFs.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEBblUdKEr0/T7Siel2FnHI/AAAAAAAANgE/qw-e8ll6jb0/s1600/FA-50.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEBblUdKEr0/T7Siel2FnHI/AAAAAAAANgE/qw-e8ll6jb0/s1600/FA-50.jpg
One of candidates of brand new jets for Philippines Airforce is F/A-50 from South Korea (photo : bemil.chosun)

KnightOfTheFlag

May 18th, 2012, 10:20 AM

and neither are the F-22s yet they're still regarded as the best fighter around... they may just be copies but don't count them out...

Most of chinas fighter jets are "copied" technology which means they didnt master it and most of it came frim Russia which created some friction between the two because of chinas ramphant and just plain brutal attitude in copying them...the Russians even warned them that just "copies" of thier technology are "dangerous" both literally and figuratively...

Sou-jiro

May 18th, 2012, 10:21 AM

I don't even think any of China's modern fighter jets have been engaged in any combat especially international.

As for the T-50. I don't know these planes just looks small. That is why I would go for those full-scale MRFs.

i would also go for the T-50s PLUS they are supersonic...the will me a better interceptor since the AMX and M346 are subsonic.

pi_malejana

May 18th, 2012, 10:23 AM

Most of chinas fighter jets are "copied" technology which means they didnt master it and most of it came frim Russia which created some friction between the two because of chinas ramphant and just plain brutal attitude in copying them...the Russians even warned them that just "copies" of thier technology are "dangerous" both literally and figuratively...

don't be too cocky about it... they may be copies, but they're still leaps and bounds compared to what we have, and will have in the immediate future..

Christian_123

May 18th, 2012, 10:31 AM

cancelled na daw ung trip ni Faeldon sa panatag... mismong si PNoy ang tumawag...:)

Good decision IMO. Dahil un gagawin ni Faeldon na pag plant ng flag natin sa skarburo ay baka maging mitsa ng chinese invasion..

pi_malejana

May 18th, 2012, 10:40 AM

baka naman kasi kakandidato...:lol:

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 11:30 AM

and neither are the F-22s yet they're still regarded as the best fighter around... they may just be copies but don't count them out...

Until The F-35 comes out. But for now, The F-22s are limited to The United States.

If there is one fighter plane that has been engaged in combat several times and has shut down a good number of enemy aircraft, that would be The F-15 Eagle.

Though it had suffered it's losses as well.

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/galleries/images/37850/500x400/f-15-eagle.jpg

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 11:32 AM

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEBblUdKEr0/T7Siel2FnHI/AAAAAAAANgE/qw-e8ll6jb0/s1600/FA-50.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEBblUdKEr0/T7Siel2FnHI/AAAAAAAANgE/qw-e8ll6jb0/s1600/FA-50.jpg
One of candidates of brand new jets for Philippines Airforce is F/A-50 from South Korea (photo : bemil.chosun)

They are good as interceptors. But PAF would need some MRFs as well in the future.

BTW, other than missiles and bombs, I'm sure The FA-50 will also have guns as well. That was the problem with the early F-4s when it is only equipped with missiles and bombs, not guns.

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 11:38 AM

Aircraft crashes in Bataan
By Erwin Aguilon, Frances Mangosing
INQUIRER.net, Radyo Inquirer 990AM
12:45 pm | Friday, May 18th, 2012

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/195693/aircraft-crashes-along-bataan

MANILA, Philippines—An SF260 TP Warrior number 716 trainer plane of the Philippine Air Force crashed in the vicinity of La Monja, Mariveles in Bataan Friday morning, the military confirmed.

Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol said search and rescue operations were ongoing.

Manila-X

May 18th, 2012, 11:48 AM

More of the modified FA-50

http://stardefense.blogspot.com/2012/01/south-korea-bought-20-fa-50.html

d7beast

May 18th, 2012, 01:33 PM

Stealth capabilities is not important at the moment the fact our fighter planes will be used as defense.

The Philippine government may not need the best multi-role jet since that would be too costly. At the same time, should think twice on purchasing low-cost jets but are unreliable.

Best is to purchase multi-role fighters that suits our country's needs and provide defense. JAS Gripen is the perfect example when talking about non-US fighters.

Other than fighter planes, our Navy should also upgrade and the purchase of another Hamilton class ship is a start.

As for the Army, better to purchase night-attack choppers instead of battle tanks. Also upgrade the standard assault rifle of The Philippine Army from the M-16 to the M-4 or purchase better firearms such as Singapore's SAR-21 and so on.

The most sought-after weapons our country needs based on the current threat from the pirates in the WPS are: Anti-ship missile (mobile and or ship mount), anti-air missile, preferably mobile or shoulder-fired, a squadron of best in class quick deploy ready to establish territorial defense in all weather conditions and the best money can buy (for the budget) multirole high survival fighter planes very capable of engaging the current air and naval assets of the commies (the F-18s, no doubts) and fast attack crafts, dozens, armed with mobile exocets and crew served SAMs,..and yes, stealth is a WANT, not a MUST,..

d7beast

May 18th, 2012, 01:37 PM

They are good as interceptors. But PAF would need some MRFs as well in the future.

BTW, other than missiles and bombs, I'm sure The FA-50 will also have guns as well. That was the problem with the early F-4s when it is only equipped with missiles and bombs, not guns.

This aircraft does not have field records regarding its functionality, reliability or dependablity, baka mag sisisi tayo,..:ohno:

Christian_123

May 18th, 2012, 01:58 PM

KnightOfTheFlag

May 18th, 2012, 02:31 PM

Sana naman matuloy to! :banana: Ten ships IS A LOT!! And we can also send some of them to our newly acquired territory BENHAM RISE!...baka busying busy tayo sa Panatag shoul hindi natin alam sumisimple at unti-unting sumisingit ang china sa Benham tapos after some time i-declare nilang "Traditional fishing ground" na yun dahil nangingisda na daw sila dun :bash:....alam mo naman ang china..traydor, mapanglinlang, swapang at hambog!

Coast Guard to get 10 ships from Japan
By Alexis Romero and Jaime Laude Home Updated May 18, 2012 04:45 PM 1 comment to this post

MANILA, Philippines - Japan is ready to provide about 10 ships to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to beef up its maritime security capabilities, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin confirmed Friday.

“What I know is that they [Japan] offered assistance. I’m just not sure if it will be pursued,” Gazmin told radio station dzRH.

When asked how many ships may be provided by Japan, Gazmin said: “Mga sampu (At least ten).”

The defense chief refused to elaborate, saying details should come from the PCG.

“I know that they (Japan) have a standing offer. The Coast Guard has the complete details of the procurement,” Gazmin said.

Coast Guard commandant Vice Adm. Edmund Tan, said the 10 patrol ships would be provided through a loan.

"They will not be given for free," Tan said, but declined to provide more details of the procurement.

"It depends on the process of our papers. It is still for approval of the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). There are still meetings to be conducted," he said.

Previous reports said that Japan has agreed to provide ships to the Philippines this year. The Japanese Embassy, however, has yet to confirm these reports.

Gazmin’s statement came amid tensions between the Philippines and China owing to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal standoff.

The Panatag Shoal standoff started on April 10 when two Chinese surveillance vessels barred the Philippine Navy from arresting Chinese fishermen who had poached maritime species from the area.

Unlike China, which has been boosting its military and maritime capabilities, the Philippines lacks naval assets and has a weak maritime security capability. - With J. Domingo

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=808319

Arvor

May 18th, 2012, 03:11 PM

The M346 is the better choice as far as trainer/light fighter/attack aircraft is concerned and the difference in terms of speed with the T-50 is minimal and irrelevant for the tasks these aircrafts are meant for as neither would be suited to engage big superjets for battles over air superiority .

In the end the country would still require dedicated jet fighters for more demanding roles .

----

Aside from jets more than ever imo the navy needs to acquire a submarine capability as the ultimate means of dissuasion against Chinese adventurism, the mere threat and real capability to shut down the asean sea westphil sea whatever its called nowadays and it's vital traffic can paralyse the Chinese economy and perhaps even cause widespread internal unrests, furthermore the disruption to international trade and world economy would immediately involve in a meaningful way other major regional and external powers to intervene in any conflict ... .

Planning Democracy

May 18th, 2012, 03:31 PM

We need more boats and weapons, and we also need a better President... willing to share our resources? Did he even ask Pinoys about that? Hell no.

leofriends

May 18th, 2012, 04:06 PM

bibibli tlga tayo ng ganto sa japan... 10 ship is not bad... maybe we can aquire all 26 ships.. :D

http://64.19.142.13/cdn2.shipspotting.com/photos/middle/9/2/5/458529.jpg

waraywaray architect

May 18th, 2012, 04:21 PM

The big problem with our officials is the lack of prudence. Why are they divulging these supposed military armaments when its not even a done deal? You don't have to feed the media these types of information all the time. You can be selective in your response but don't divulge everything. Its better to keep the enemy guessing but don't let them know everything in your arsenal, whether acquired or in the process of being acquired.

leofriends

May 18th, 2012, 04:25 PM

commercial muna.. good job uncle sam.. :lol: pababa na nga economy ng china tapos.. awwww

China cries foul after U.S. sets tariffs on solar imports:lol:

18-May-12, 6:20 PM | Matt Daily and Leonora Walet, Reuters

The United States imposed punitive tariffs on solar panel imports from China, the latest in a series of trade disputes between the world's two biggest economies and sparking accusations by Beijing of protectionism.

The new tariffs of 30 percent, much bigger than had been expected, were set on Thursday by the U.S. Commerce Department after it ruled in favor of local firms which said the Chinese exporters were dumping cut-price solar panels on their market.

The size of the tariffs is larger than Chinese companies had expected and some analysts said it might prompt them to manufacture elsewhere or look for alternative markets.

"The U.S. decision lacks fairness, and China expresses its strong displeasure", a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce, Shen Danyang, said in a statement posted on the ministry's website (www.mofcom.gov.cn).

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32301/china-cries-foul-after-u-s--sets-tariffs-on-solar-imports

leofriends

May 18th, 2012, 04:27 PM

http://64.19.142.10/www.interaksyon.com/assets/images/articles/interphoto_1336643818.jpg

doctor joe

May 18th, 2012, 04:49 PM

commercial muna.. good job uncle sam.. :lol: pababa na nga economy ng china tapos.. awwww

China cries foul after U.S. sets tariffs on solar imports:lol:

18-May-12, 6:20 PM | Matt Daily and Leonora Walet, Reuters

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32301/china-cries-foul-after-u-s--sets-tariffs-on-solar-imports

^^^^^^

di ba alam ng china na kong wala ang USA eh pinagpapartehan na sila ng russia,UK,nethralands,portugal,japan,spain at france????

at dahil din sa USA muling nabuhay ang natutulog na higante????

kenken94

May 18th, 2012, 04:54 PM

commercial muna.. good job uncle sam.. :lol: pababa na nga economy ng china tapos.. awwww

China cries foul after U.S. sets tariffs on solar imports:lol:

18-May-12, 6:20 PM | Matt Daily and Leonora Walet, Reuters

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32301/china-cries-foul-after-u-s--sets-tariffs-on-solar-imports

China disposes our very non-toxic exports. I'm glad Mother America let's big bully China feel how bad it is to antagonize just almost everybody. :cheers:

Economic muscles back at ya freaking Chinese communists! :lol:

manila_eye

May 18th, 2012, 05:07 PM

As they say, karma is a b!tch! :lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 05:24 PM

commercial muna.. good job uncle sam.. :lol: pababa na nga economy ng china tapos.. awwww

China cries foul after U.S. sets tariffs on solar imports:lol:

18-May-12, 6:20 PM | Matt Daily and Leonora Walet, Reuters

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32301/china-cries-foul-after-u-s--sets-tariffs-on-solar-imports

Mabuti naman, dadami ang made in usa dito sa us :lol:

Dapat si papa sugar tuwing hihigpitan tayo ng china, higpita nya rin :lol:

leofriends

May 18th, 2012, 05:52 PM

^^ more commercial.. :D this is the best part.. :lol:

Forget Greece, China Biggest Risk to Global Economy: Faber
Published: Friday, 18 May 2012 | 6:16 AM ET

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47472497

China returned to the growth of the economy in crisis
May 18, 2012 12:34 pm 0 comments

http://littleskylark.com/blog/china-returned-to-the-growth-of-the-economy-in-crisis/

China's Economic Slowdown Foreshadows Trouble for the U.S.

By John Grgurich, The Motley Fool
Posted 12:25PM 05/17/12

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/05/17/chinas-economic-slowdown-foreshadows-trouble-for-the-u-s/

okey, enough for the commercials.. :lol:

xxxriainxxx

May 18th, 2012, 05:54 PM

commercial muna.. good job uncle sam.. :lol: pababa na nga economy ng china tapos.. awwww

China cries foul after U.S. sets tariffs on solar imports:lol:

18-May-12, 6:20 PM | Matt Daily and Leonora Walet, Reuters

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32301/china-cries-foul-after-u-s--sets-tariffs-on-solar-imports

Buti nga.:lol::lol::lol:

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 06:05 PM

Down china down!
Down china down!

eonynx

May 18th, 2012, 07:00 PM

Until The F-35 comes out. But for now, The F-22s are limited to The United States.

If there is one fighter plane that has been engaged in combat several times and has shut down a good number of enemy aircraft, that would be The F-15 Eagle.

Though it had suffered it's losses as well.

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/galleries/images/37850/500x400/f-15-eagle.jpg

but of course, the battle decorated f15. for many years, the premier air-to-air fighter.

Flipmarc

May 18th, 2012, 08:20 PM

China is exploiting Western commercial technology, carrying out aggressive cyber espionage and buying more anti-ship missiles as part of a steady build-up of military power, the Pentagon said Friday.

Beijing is working to take advantage of "mostly US" defense-related technologies in the private sector as part of a long-running effort to modernize the country's armed forces and extend China's reach in the Asia-Pacific region, the Pentagon wrote in a report to Congress.

"One of the PRC's (People's Republic of China) stated national security objectives is to leverage legally and illegally acquired dual-use and military-related technologies to its advantage," it said.

And China, which has the world's second largest defense budget behind the United States, "openly espouses the need to exploit civilian technologies for use in its military modernization" and dual-use technology transfers could have a "substantial" cumulative effect in boosting the country's army.

The Pentagon warned that "interactions with Western aviation manufacturing firms may also inadvertently benefit China's defense aviation industry."

European aerospace giant Airbus opened a production line for the A320 aircraft in China in 2009. The Defense Department pledged to prevent exports of advanced technologies that could be diverted to China's military.

Echoing recent warnings from intelligence officials, the Pentagon blamed China for "many" of the world's cyber intrusions over the past year that have targeted US government and commercial networks, including companies "that directly support US defense programs," it said.

The report warned that "Chinese actors are the world's most active and persistent perpetrators of economic espionage," and predicted that those spying efforts would continue, posing "a growing and persistent threat to US economic security."

China's investments in cyber warfare were cause for "concern," said David Helvey, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia and Asia Pacific Security Affairs.

Beijing was clearly "looking at ways to use cyber for offensive operations," Helvey told reporters, adding that there was no sign that China was ramping up digital activities.

The American military has long worried that China could potentially limit the reach of US naval ships in the western Pacific with new weapons, and the Pentagon report underlined those concerns, pointing to Beijing's growing arsenal of missiles.
"It is also acquiring and fielding greater numbers of conventional medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) to increase the range at which it can conduct precision strikes against land targets and naval ships, including aircraft carriers, operating far from China's shores beyond the first island chain," said the report.

China was pouring money into advanced air defenses, submarines, anti-satellite weapons as well as anti-ship missiles that could all be used to deny an adversary access to strategic areas, such as the South China Sea, the report said.

US strategists -- and some defense contractors -- often refer to the threat posed by China's so-called "carrier-killer" missiles but Helvey said the anti-ship weapons currently have "limited operational capability."

China's military budget officially reached $106 billion in 2012, an 11.2 percent increase.

But the US report said China's defense budget does not include major expenditures such as improvements to nuclear forces or purchases of foreign-made weapons. Real defense spending amounts to $120 to $180 billion, the report said.

US military spending, however, still dwarfs Chinese investments, with the Pentagon's proposed budget for 2013 at more than $600 billion.

Despite a sustained increase in defense spending over the past decade, China had experienced setbacks with some satellite launches and ambitious projects to produce a fifth-generation fighter jet and modern aircraft carrier still faced challenges, the report said.

Although looking to expand its traditional missions to include counter-piracy and humanitarian efforts, the People's Liberation Army's top priority remained a possible conflict in the Taiwan Strait, with China focused on preventing the United States from intervening successfully in support of Taiwan, the report said.

Flipmarc

May 18th, 2012, 08:30 PM

China is really up to something. One day when China is powerful enough to stand up agains't any country in the world, WW3 will eventually happen and ASEAN is the first one to be fu***d. Especially Vietnam and The Philippines.

Nabartek

May 18th, 2012, 09:01 PM

^^ Yes, they are obviously up to something. And the political correctness of the liberals in the West will lead to ASEAN and eventually the West and its allies being f.ucked up. We should stop these political correctness towards China's government.

I think they want to "rule the world"...like the jihadists plan :lol:

M46Fr3D

May 18th, 2012, 10:00 PM

I think they need to prove their naval prowess before they can rule SEA. Their navy may have the knowledge on arming and running their ships but when it comes to actual naval blockings, i dont think they are as good as they think they are.

june1

May 18th, 2012, 11:07 PM

As for the trainer jet they are looking. The T/A-50 Golden Eagle trainer attack jet from south korea meet all the requirement of the philippines air force They are looking for supersonic, traiiner jet that could converted to a an attack jet. And its should be supersonic. Its trainer /attack jet. form korea

RonnieR

May 19th, 2012, 12:19 AM

An insight to Japan and China's territorial row over Senkakus

Japan, China’s Maritime Step
By M. Taylor Fravel
May 19, 2012

http://the-diplomat.com/china-power/files/2012/05/China-Japan.jpg
Many of the most salient disputes between China and its neighbors involve maritime issues. Moreover, as demonstrated by the current standoff between Beijing and Manila over Scarborough Shoal, China is often seen as assertive and uncompromising. Nevertheless, maritime talks held with Japan this week suggest that China can be more flexible in managing its maritime disputes than most outsiders believe.

China and Japan agreed to establish this high-level consultative mechanism on maritime affairs in December 2011 during Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s first trip to Beijing. These talks, which will be held twice a year, are designed to enhance crisis management by increasing communication among related government agencies in both countries. As a press release from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) noted, the talks will serve a “platform” for increasing dialogue and communication, promoting cooperation, and managing disputes at sea.

Such a consultative mechanism is sorely needed. As the September 2010 crisis over the detention of a Chinese fishing captain near the Senkakus demonstrated, maritime disputes can escalate into a crisis. In addition to the dispute over the sovereignty of the Senkakus, China and Japan have other maritime conflicts: the demarcation of their Exclusive Economic Zones in the East China Sea, China’s development of the Chunxiao natural gas field near the median line that Japan claims, fishing operations, and survey activities, among others.

The first round of talks was held at the departmental level, led by Yi Xianliang, Deputy Director of the MFA’s Department of Boundary and Maritime Affairs, on the Chinese side. Importantly, the participants didn’t just include diplomats but also representatives from key Chinese bureaucracies involved in maritime affairs and their counterparts from Japan, including the Ministry of National Defense (PLAN), Ministry of Public Security (the Coast Guard), Ministry of Transportation (the Maritime Safety Agency), Ministry of Agriculture (the Bureau of Fisheries Administration), the State Energy Administration, and the State Oceanic Administration (the Marine Surveillance Force).

Details of the talks weren’t disclosed. The MFA press release simply noted that the two sides had exchanged views on maritime issues and cooperation, including the Senkaku Islands. Nevertheless, the creation of such a high-level mechanism on maritime affairs may represent a significant development in Chinese foreign policy for several reasons:

To start, the talks constitute the first comprehensive and institutionalized mechanism on maritime issues between China and Japan. Previous talks over a 1997 bilateral fisheries agreement or the 2008 agreement on gas exploration in the East China Sea were conducted on an ad hoc basis and included only those actors directly involved in the issue being negotiated. Given the potential for any one maritime dispute to escalate and create a crisis, these talks may help stabilize Chinese-Japanese relations.

The present standoff with the Philippines over Scarborough Shoal notwithstanding, these talks with Japan reflect a pattern of Chinese moves to manage its territorial and maritime disputes with its neighbors. Examples of such efforts include a July 2011 agreement with ASEAN over guiding principles for implementing the 2002 code of conduct declaration in the South China Sea, an October 2011 agreement with Vietnam on basic principles for resolving maritime issues, and a January 2012 agreement with India for managing border incidents along their disputed frontier.

In addition, the talks suggest that China is strengthening interagency coordination in maritime affairs under the leadership of the MFA. A recent report from the International Crisis Group highlighted the lack of coordination among maritime actors as a source of Chinese assertiveness between 2009 and 2011 in the South China Sea. These talks bring together each of the “five dragons” of civil maritime law enforcement agencies that can influence China’s relations with its neighbors at sea, and may help increase coordination among them. Moreover, by including the Defense Ministry, the talks may also strengthen coordination and communication between the MFA and the PLA.

Finally, the talks provide a model that might be used to address other maritime issues elsewhere, including in the Yellow Sea with South Korea and even perhaps in the South China Sea. Clashes between Chinese fishermen and South Korean authorities have reached a new peak in recent years, with almost 500 Chinese vessels having been fishing illegally in Korean waters. Likewise, despite a joint fishing agreement, the two sides haven’t demarcated their maritime jurisdiction under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

To be sure, this new mechanism that China and Japan have created hasn’t yet been put to the test. Still, it suggests that China can pursue more flexible and collaborative approaches in its maritime disputes with neighboring states – and that Beijing acknowledges the importance of such flexibility.

M. Taylor Fravel is an Associate Professor of Political Science and member of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He can be followed on Twitter @fravel.

http://the-diplomat.com/china-power/2012/05/19/japan-chinas-maritime-step/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+the-diplomat+%28The+Diplomat+RSS%29

RonnieR

May 19th, 2012, 12:23 AM

A not so old article but relevant....

China’s U-Shaped Claims
By Huy Duong
June 9, 2011

Late last month, tension in the South China Sea was ratcheted up a further when three Chinese marine surveillance ships threatened the Vietnamese seismic survey ship Binh Minh 02 and sabotaged its seismic equipment. The incident took place 120 nautical miles from Vietnam’s mainland coast and 340 nautical miles from China’s Hainan Island, well inside Vietnam’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

For anyone wondering if this incident is somehow tied to the Paracels and Spratlys disputes, then the answer is no. The Binh Minh incident took place closer to the Vietnamese coast than the Paracels or the Spratlys. According to international law and state practice, the Spratlys and Paracels’ islands and rocks are only entitled to either a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles or, at most, a territorial sea plus an EEZ that doesn’t extend much beyond 12 nautical miles. By no stretch of the imagination, then, could their EEZs extend to or past the midlines between them and the coastlines surrounding the South China Sea.

With this in mind, it has been interesting to follow the ensuing war of words between Vietnam and China.

On May 27, Vietnam sent a diplomatic note to the Chinese Ambassador in Hanoi accusing China of violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Vietnam’s sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The following day, China retorted that what it did was ‘completely normal marine law enforcement and surveillance activities in China's jurisdictional sea area.’

But as ‘jurisdictional sea area’ isn’t one of the maritime zones defined in the UNCLOS, it remains unclear what exactly China meant by that term, and what might be the legal basis for it.

The exchange of barbs continued on May 29, when Vietnam retaliated by saying that it was conducting its exploration entirely within its 200-nautical-mile EEZ and continental shelf, ‘in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is neither a disputed area nor is it an area “managed by China.” China has deliberately misled the public into thinking that it is a disputed area.’

Effectively, Vietnam was saying that the area wasn’t part of the Paracels and Spratlys disputes.

Two days later, China hit back, claiming that its action was, ‘law enforcement activities by Chinese maritime surveillance ships against Vietnam's illegally operating ships are completely justified.’ It urged Vietnam to ‘immediately stop infringement activities and refrain from creating new troubles.’

Once again, China failed to state its claim in terms of UNCLOS maritime zones. Nor did it specify any limit or cite international law to support its claim.

This latest development bears a striking resemblance to the Reed Bank incident in March, when two Chinese patrol boats threatened a seismic survey ship operating on behalf of the Philippines. That incident also took place nearer to the Philippines’ Palawan coast than to the contested Spratlys. In both cases, China asserted its claims without any limit or justification based on the UNCLOS or international law. The Philippines’ riposte was that the Reed Bank isn't part of the Spratlys and therefore isn't subject to the Spratlys dispute.

In the past, China has made similar claims against Malaysia at James’ Shoal, against Indonesia over the waters near the Natuna Islands, and against Vietnam in the Vanguard Bank and Blue Dragon areas. These claims, together with the Reed Bank and Binh Minh incidents, should dispel any doubts that China is trying to expand its control well beyond the disputed Paracels, Spratlys and Scarborough Reef, and their associated waters.

A common feature with all these claims and clashes is that they all involve areas inside the mysterious 'U-shaped line' that, some time during the last century, China started putting on its maps. Over the years, this U-shaped line gradually expanded until it covered most of the South China Sea, to within less than a hundred nautical miles of other countries’ coastlines, without any justification based on international law or customs.

Although the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei are all directly affected by this expansionist policy, the first two, being the countries that are nearest to China, will bear the brunt of Chinese expansion, for a number of reasons.

First, these two nations’ maritime spaces will clearly be affected the most. Second, if China doesn't try to claim the Philippines and Vietnam’s maritime spaces, its claims over Malaysia’s, Indonesia’s and Brunei’s will disintegrate. This means that while China might make compromises at the southern tip of its notorious U-shaped line to keep Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei quiet while it deals with the Philippines and Vietnam first, it can't do the reverse and give up its claims in the Philippines’ and Vietnam’s maritime spaces in order to gain the southern tip. Of course, if China is successful in getting its way against the Philippines and Vietnam, Malaysia’s, Indonesia’s and Brunei’s turns will come.

As a result, both the Philippines and Vietnam have been put in a situation where they need to resolutely protect their legitimate maritime spaces. At stake are more than economic interests: they also have reasons to fear that their security and national independence are threatened.

Although there remain differences between the Philippines and Vietnam over the Spratlys, there's much more scope for the two nations to co-operate in defending their respective maritime spaces that don't belong to the Spratlys. Given China’s extensive claims, these maritime spaces may be far more significant than those belonging to the disputed Spratlys.

The Philippines’ note verbale to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf after the Reed Bank incident highlights how the country is using UNCLOS to defend its rights in the South China Sea. With Vietnam relying on the same body of law, the two nations have a common framework for co-operation.

For example, if Vietnam and the Philippines could voice their diplomatic support for each other in incidents such as the Reed Bank and Binh Minh ones, it would benefit both nations. More fundamentally, though, analysts and diplomats from the two nations should get together with their counterparts from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia to decide what exactly the Spratlys consist of and how much maritime space can be attributed to them, which would lead to a collective agreement on the extent of the contested areas in the South China Sea. This will help these nations in individually and collectively opposing China’s attempts to expand the South China Sea dispute into previously uncontested areas. It will also help to convince the world of the merit of their case.

Another path that the Philippines and Vietnam could explore is making joint submissions of their continental shelf claims to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, possibly with the participation of Malaysia and Brunei.

Either of these actions would be without prejudice to the question of sovereignty over the Spratlys, and would benefit the Philippines and Vietnam enormously in counteracting China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

Huy Duong contributes articles on the South China Sea to several news outlets including the BBC and Vietnam's online publication VietNamNet.

http://the-diplomat.com/asean-beat/2011/06/09/chinas-u-shaped-claims/

Nabartek

May 19th, 2012, 12:26 AM

^^ China's ambiguity in their claims just makes it more reasonable to bring the issue to the ITLOS or even ICJ if they want to determine which claim/s is/are valid, not "bilateral" talks especially that China signed the UNCLOS.

Arvor

May 19th, 2012, 12:38 AM

The M346 meets all those requirements aswell the T50's only real advantage if it can be called one is that it can do 2~300 km/h faster which is frankly irrelevant ... ( which trainer aircraft can fly faster to meet their doom at the hands of a couple of SU Flankers ? lol ) .

Both these aircrafts have faced each other in international competitions these past years and to this day the M346 has won those contests, the Israeli air force the Singapore air force and a few other advanced air forces have clearly deemed the aircraft ( and other derivatives Yak 130 Vietnamese air force etc ) to be a better choice .

So far the T50 has only recieved orders from countries that have subsidised it's creation in some form or the other and non based on it's own merits through clear competition .

Furthermore the M346 comes from a strong and established supplyer in this sector and more than this a supplyer that has a longstanding and existing relationship with the Phillippines armed forces .

Based on the results of previous competitions with advanced forces like the IDF and RSAF and it's likely victories in upcoming competitions and based on the long established relationships between the PAF and the manufacturers of the m346 not least its great training capabilities, i fail to see why the PAF should acquire the T50 at all ... .

The only reason i could see would be for South Korea and Indonesia to reciprocrate by buying more banana's and pineapples from the Phillippines or whatever else we could export or by opening a few extra hyundai car plants or to "donate" a couple of corvettes or frigates for free etc, but even doing so would be for all the wrong reasons the Phillippines armed forces need to base it's decisions on facts and figures real capabilities and performance to meet realistic requirements and to put the mission of defending the country ahead of considerations of mere industrial/economic gains .

skyion

May 19th, 2012, 12:45 AM

TheAvenger

May 19th, 2012, 01:03 AM

Recto Bank our future Oilfields

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/1hainantorectobank.jpg

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/2reedbank800x524.jpg

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/3namria-KIG-year2011.jpg

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/4RECTOBANK-flags-caption806x768.jpg

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/5ReedBankinfo.jpg

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/7ReedBank.jpg

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/8VietnamtoPhilippines.jpg

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/Jewel865/6China-claims-Paracel-Spratly-Islands.jpg
Though Recto Bank / Reed Bank is inside the Philippines 200 miles EEZ it is also claimed by China.

jpdm

May 19th, 2012, 01:18 AM

jpdm

May 19th, 2012, 01:21 AM

Manila-X

May 19th, 2012, 03:07 AM

I also prefer the Italian aircraft but of course the Italians should provide some sweeteners to their offer.

Unfortunately, the recent aircraft that crashed in Bataan was Italian.

Wolf1968 ^_^

May 19th, 2012, 03:10 AM

good news naman.. AFP chief to receive 2nd US patrol ship

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/19/12/afp-chief-receive-2nd-us-patrol-ship

Nabartek

May 19th, 2012, 03:33 AM

good news naman.. AFP chief to receive 2nd US patrol ship

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/19/12/afp-chief-receive-2nd-us-patrol-ship

Although China says it is spending $106 billion this year to upgrade its military – which is lower than US military spending – the report suggested they could be spending more than what they’re saying in public.

I believe this

Nabartek

May 19th, 2012, 03:36 AM

Hindi ba puedeng baseball nalang? Masyadong factor ang height sa basketball eh :lol:

Basketball Diplomacy: Yao Ming to help thaw frosty Philippine-China relations (http://www.interaksyon.com/article/32303/basketball-diplomacy-yao-ming-to-help-thaw-frosty-philippine-china-relations)

MANILA, Philippines - A planned exhibition match between a PBA selection and a Chinese team owned by NBA star Yao Ming has Manila and Beijing hoping to build up some goodwill after weeks of tension over the Scarborough Shoal.

The Philippine government welcomed the announcement of the upcoming exhibition - brokered by the two countries' respective sports authorities - as "a gesture of goodwill".

The Palace was reacting to news that a selection of PBA stars will welcome the Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks, a team co-owned by former NBA superstar Yao Ming, in a friendly game at the newly-built SM Mall of Asia Arena on June 28.

The announcement of the game also came on the heels of a directive by Malacanang to ward off a "protest sail" planned by a former rebel soldier to Scarborough Shoal. China and the Philippines have been locked in standoff in the waters west of the Philippines' Zambales province for weeks after Philippine authorities confronted Chinese vessels plying the area.

Official diplomatic channels have had fits of starts and complications over the past weeks, with conflicting signals on either side of the standoff. China has sent some formidable armed coast guard vessels to Scarborough and has displayed its overwhelming advantage come to military hardware, even as it has insisted that it is not gearing up for battle.

The Philippine side, on the other hand, says that it has no choice but to deal with China on diplomatic levels. But China perceives Manila to be dealing in bad faith on that front, clearly bristling at an international protest and media campaign carried out by Filipino citizens, but which Beijing suggests is in fact backed - at the least tolerated - by Philippine officials.

China has also warned the Philippines and its allies against any attempt to internationalize the standoff. Amidst the Scarborough tensions, Manila has turned to Washington both for long-term plans to upgrade the Philippine military, as well as to get some immediate reasssurance over a mutual defense treaty that some Filipino politicians want to invoke. President Aquino has also portrayed Beijing's behaviour as reason for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be alarmed, and to take a collective position all other related disputes over the South China Sea.

A nuclear-powered US submarine is in Subic on what is touted as a "routine" visit, further spurring suspicion that Manila was escalating the conflict.

Against all these complexities, news of Yao Ming coming to Manila provided a clear area of comfort for China and the Philippines, two countries that share a common and popular passion for basketball. Coming as it did on the same day that President Aquino personally intervened to call off a private flotilla of fishermen and private citizens that were being organized by a former military rebel to Scarborough Shoal, the development made for a rare day of goodwill between the two countries.

The use of sports to help bridge tensions inevitably recalls China's vaunted "ping-pong diplomacy" with the United States at the start of the 1970s. Back then, at the height of the Cold War between Communist states led by the Soviet Union and China on the one hand, and capitalist democracies led by the US on the other, a surprise initiative for a friendly exchange of Chinese and American table tennis players actually built up to a rare visit by an American president to Beijing.

Whether or not a basketball game can help to heal the growing rift between Manila and Beijing remains to be seen. But basketball no doubt provides a more comfortable common language between Chinese and Filipinos. A football friendly between the two countries has already been scuttled, to very little disapppointment or notice in Manila. Yao Ming's arrival, on the other hand, will arguably be bigger news among basketball-crazy Filipinos, and something that will give them a China reference other than Scarborough, the South China Sea, and China's overwhelming impact - and stick - in the general realm of Philippine economic interests.

The standoff that began on April 8 is seen to have already impacted on tourism, with cancellations of Chinese tourist bookings; agriculture, with Philippine banana exports held up in Chinese piers, among others.

President Benigno Aquino III has said both countries continue to talk and seek a 'win-win' solution. That includes on Thursday suggesting that Manila would be open to joint explorations and exploitation of resources in disputed areas in the South China Sea.

Askal82

May 19th, 2012, 03:51 AM

^^ Sila nga may pakana ng 9 dash line sa the big pond, Pilipinas pa may kasalanan? Of course, its a natural reaction similar to how you are being evicted from your own property. Mga hilo talaga.

At the same time, we will have to continue building up our defense. Wag mangumpiyansa. :lol:

lochinvar

May 19th, 2012, 04:22 AM

"I also prefer the Italian aircraft but of course the Italians should provide some sweeteners to their offer."

OK. So how about a ton of canoli accompanied by O sole mio.

Askal82

May 19th, 2012, 04:32 AM

nebelwerferXXX

May 19th, 2012, 06:49 AM

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6138/5982959116_08413b6dcb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/compacflt/5982959116/)
110727-N-WP746-242 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/compacflt/5982959116/) by U.S. Pacific Fleet (http://www.flickr.com/people/compacflt/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6203/6075558279_ea14de503c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/94089980@N00/6075558279/)
BRP Gregorio Del Pilar PF15 Arriving Inside Manila Bay (http://www.flickr.com/photos/94089980@N00/6075558279/) by ManilaBoy45 (http://www.flickr.com/people/94089980@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4112/5080096172_ca7bb67e2f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/crowvalley/5080096172/)
DSC03178 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/crowvalley/5080096172/) by ralphUMALI (http://www.flickr.com/people/crowvalley/), on Flickr

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4010/5079498945_345bf782c4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/crowvalley/5079498945/)
DSC03146 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/crowvalley/5079498945/) by ralphUMALI (http://www.flickr.com/people/crowvalley/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6119/6314516917_4dfa5d3eb7_z.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6138/6026951270_ef3d0fbd00_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2549/5824401869_b2fa238e2d_z.jpg

Link to Thread 21 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=455536&page=994)

Kahit pang WW 2 na warships lang ang sa Pinas tapos up-grade lang ng mga guided missiles...
---kahit 100 destroyers.
---50 light cruisers.
---50 heavy cruisers.
---kahit 4 battleships lang.
---at kahit mga 5 or 10 aircraft carriers.
tapos kahit mga MiGs at SUs lang ng jet Ok na. kahit P-80 Shooting Star NA PANG WW 2 lang Ok na.

Tapos kahit pang WW 2 na mga tanke lang tapos up-grade lagyan lahat nga mga artillery, AA, SAM. Mga mines sa buong beach ng Pinas. Tapos mag recruit ng mga bagong sundalo kahit mga 200,000 na sundalo lang (with 20,000 M-4 carbines, 20,000 LMGs, 40,000 pistols, 160,000 M-16 rifles and 16,000 M203 grenade launchers). oh join forces sa USA, Japan, South Korea. Durug yang China na yan. Pagkatapos bumuo ng battalion ng mag-iinvade sa China join forces ng Japan, Philippines, USA, South Korea ung iba airborne tapos landing.

Bago mang landing AIR RAID muna. Hulugan ng mga 2000-lb bombs. Hulugan ng 5 nuke missiles. tsaka mag Landing at airborne hahaha ! GOOD GAME YANG CHINA NA YAN.

Kaso hanggang pangarap na lang ata to haha walang budget ang AFP.

jpdm

May 19th, 2012, 10:14 AM

"I also prefer the Italian aircraft but of course the Italians should provide some sweeteners to their offer."

OK. So how about a ton of canoli accompanied by O sole mio.

Hmmm, are you cracking joke?

jpdm

May 19th, 2012, 10:15 AM

Unfortunately, the recent aircraft that crashed in Bataan was Italian.

Im sure its not because its Italian.

supperrom09

May 19th, 2012, 10:37 AM

Dapat gumawa tau ng sariling warship
diba pilipinas ang 3rd ship builder sa mundo
so pwede taung mag build ng sarili nating warship
basta may support ng US technology para IMBANESS!!

Mercato

May 19th, 2012, 10:47 AM

Kaso hanggang pangarap na lang ata to haha walang budget ang AFP.Aaaawww :lol: :lol:

Pero may budget pambili ng mga mararangyang bahay sa Ayala Alabang at mga mamahaling prime real estate sa California, ano? After all, the Republic is here to serve the greedy interests of all the salivating generals and their pretentious families. Sinusuerte na naman once again ang mga Heneral at wala sa kanila ang focus ng madlang Pinoy as usual.

ManilaBoy45

May 19th, 2012, 12:25 PM

Japan patrol vessels due for transfer to the PCG by years end , 2 Shiretoko class 970 tons (78 meters) and 10 Bizan class 180 tons (40 meters) ...

http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2012/05/philippines-coast-guard-acquiring-10.html

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

10 Bizan Class

http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2012/05/japan-provides-patrol-ships-to.html

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

2 Shiretoko Class

Alinghi

May 19th, 2012, 03:30 PM

^^ that Shiretoko-class is quite huge by our standards, even for a "patrol boat" as it's almost the size of the Rajah Humabon.. while the Bizan-class are comparable to our Tomas Batillo-class PKM's..

it's look like our thrust with these acquisitions are fisheries protection and law enforcement.. just like what the bully CMS is doing..

sana yung planned Corvettes at MRV's for the Navy na ang kasunod nito :cheers:

bariQ

May 19th, 2012, 03:58 PM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/303342_10151158175693636_808808635_13639241_101374118_n.jpg

Parchie

May 19th, 2012, 04:21 PM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/303342_10151158175693636_808808635_13639241_101374118_n.jpg

Nice find there. TY for posting.

Nabartek

May 19th, 2012, 04:35 PM

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s320x320/303342_10151158175693636_808808635_13639241_101374118_n.jpg

Perfect find!

Askal82

May 19th, 2012, 06:02 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The arrival of a nuclear-powered United States submarine in Subic Bay apparently prompted China to deploy five of its warships close to the maritime domain of the Philippines.

This was reported yesterday by Duowie News, a news outlet operated by overseas Chinese in Taiwan, saying the five ships include two Type-052B destroyers, two Type-054A frigates and one Type-071 amphibious transport vessel.

The ships are currently on a training mission in a yet unspecified location near the Philippines but could be sent to support the Chinese fishery administration ships around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal if the standoff over the disputed atoll escalates.

The standoff at Panatag Shoal began on April 10 when two Chinese fishery ships were deployed in Panatag shoal to prevent the Philippine Navy from arresting and detaining Chinese fishermen who had been apprehended in the area.

“With a displacement of just 3,200 tons, the Hamilton-class cutter of the Philippine Navy is no match for the four Chinese destroyers and frigates which together would carry about 48 C-802/803 anti-ship missiles. The Philippines has none,” Duowie said.

The warships are now approaching the waters of the Philippines, the report added.

USS North Carolina silently surfaced in the former US Naval Base in Subic on Sunday last week for reprovisioning.

One of the most modern submarines in the US Navy, Carolina was scheduled to leave Subic yesterday for deployment for freedom of navigation operations in the West Philippine Sea.

The unannounced visit of Carolina in Subic came amid the aggressive behavior of China in laying its territorial claim over Panatag Shoal, a rich fishing ground located just 124 nautical miles off Masinloc in Zambales.

source. (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=808802&publicationSubCategoryId=63)

Sabi ko na nga ba eh - wag mangyumpiyansa. :lol::lol:

Kaya pala may fishing ban dahil may dry run session sila kung paano tayo atakhin. :lol:

-SNPKLSDMBLDR-

May 19th, 2012, 06:08 PM

balita ko may isa pang US Navy sub na dadating pero na-cancel because of the protests. pero those Stealth subs are probably lurking somewhere near.:naughty:

KnightOfTheFlag

May 19th, 2012, 06:10 PM

Sana tuloy tuloy na to at HWAG SANANG KURAKUTIN NG MGA DEMONYONG KURAP NA GENERALS!...nagkaroon din ng pakinabang si Lacson he hee..:D...syempre dapat bumulusok pataas ( hindi pababa hah ) ang ekonomiya natin para maisakatuparan ang bill na to...so PNOY FOCUS ON OUR ECONOMY PLEASE!!

Senate sponsors passage of AFP Modernization Bill
By Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) Updated May 20, 2012 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate has calendared for the deliberations the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Bill to pave the way for a more prepared and well equipped military.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, sponsor of the AFP Modernization Bill, said the first AFP modernization program that started in December 1996 “fell short of the target.”

“What was then envisioned as a modernization program turned out to be only a capability upgrade for the AFP. But even at this level, the program still fell short of its target. The basic requirements of move, shoot and communicate of the AFP are substandard and outdated, if not totally lacking,” Lacson told the plenary Tuesday.

“The revised modernization program takes into account the pitfalls of the previous model and incorporates provisions that will ensure a more efficient and cost-effective implementation of the program,” he said.

Lacson sponsored the bill at the plenary while acknowledging the presence of Vice President Jejomar Binay at the session hall.

“I am of course honored to sponsor this bill in the presence of the most probable incoming commander-in-chief, Vice President Jejomar Binay,” Lacson said in the opening line of his sponsorship speech for the bill.

Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), was at the Senate awaiting the sponsorship of a bill regarding housing.

Binay, who is also reservist Marine colonel, however was not available to comment on Lacson’s opening remarks.

Binay was the first to declare his intention to run for president in 2016, a move that several sectors argued could work against him because this would make him a natural target by his potential opponents.

However, if recent developments would be used as a gauge, the early announcement did not seem to have any effect on Binay’s chances.

Binay, as chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), has forged an alliance with the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada for the 2013 mid-term elections.

The two political party leaders have formed the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to challenge the ruling Liberal Party of President Aquino.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=808813&publicationSubCategoryId=63