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| (Photo produced by Kawal Pinoy from Internet Sources)
Published in http://dwdd.com.ph/
LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU —– A Cebuano now sits as the new Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) chief after the change of command ceremony at Naval Base Rafael Ramos in barangay Looc in this city at 9a.m. today.
Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado replaces new Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief Commodore Reynaldo Yoma.
In his speech today during the change of command ceremony, Mercado reaffirms its commitment to work closely with Central Command (Centcom) in ensuring that the Visayas region will “remain a haven for business and tourism”where our countrymen can go about their lives in an environment peaceful, secured and orderly,” he said.
Mercado also assured of continued maritime security for the Visayan seas.
Mercado, who traces his roots in Banawa in Cebu City, said his assignment here is, in a way, a homecoming for him.
Mercado is the outgoing commander of the Offshore Combat Force. He is set to turnover his duties and responsibilities to incoming commander Capt. Ingemar Pernes on Friday.
http://dwdd.com.ph/2014/07/commodoreronald-joseph-mercado-appointed-as-new-navforcen-chief/
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado appointed as new Navforcen chief
US to give C-130 planes to Philippines
By Camille Diola
Published in Phistar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The United States will give two Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" planes to the Philippines, newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang revealed.
In a state report, Catapang disclosed the impending donation in a visit to the 1st Air Division headquarters in Clark Field, Pampanga, citing American military officials.
"I just talked to our US counterparts [and] they told us they are making available another two C-130s to address our humanitarian assistance disaster relief concerns," Catapang said.
The United States military deployed a humanitarian mission to the Visayas after the onslaught of deadly typhoon Yolanda, which took thousands of lives and destroyed countless homes.
Catapang said that the Americans offered after learning of President Aquino's plans to acquire new cargo aircrafts for the military.
The existing C-130 planes of the Air Force figured heavily in the transport of relief goods for victims of typhoon Yolanda and equipment needed by government troops involved in the efforts last year.
In November last year, former AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista announced that the country seeks to procure two more C-130 planes to improve disaster relief operations.
"We are in the process of acquiring two more C-130s. As you very well know, we only have three C-130s. In terms of strategic lift, C-130s are very important," Bautista said.
Ideally, he said the Philippine Air Force should have at least nine C-130s.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/07/23/1349457/us-give-c-130-planes-philippines
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
BIFF warns of more attacks in Mindanao
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| (Photo produced by Kawal Pinoy from Internet Sources)
by Alexander D. Lopez
Published in mb.com.ph
Davao City – The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) warned of launching more attacks against government troopers and installations in Mindanao following the series of clashes in the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
BIFF Abu Misry Mama, in an interview with the Manila Bulletin here on Wednesday morning, said target areas will include North Cotabato – particularly Midsayap town, and other provinces in Mindanao.
Abu Misry also claimed responsibility over the attacks to Army detachments in Datu Piang and Sharif Saydona towns, and also in Aleosan, North Cotabato.
He, however, denied the military’s statement that 17 of their men were killed during the series of clashes.
“Apat lang po sa aming tauhan ang namatay sa labanan na tinamaan ng landmine, at dalawa ang sugatan (Only four of our men were killed during the fighting who were hit by landmine, and two were wounded),” Abu Misry said.
He also denied that a high-ranking BIFF officer was among the fatalities during the series of attacks as announced by the military.
“Walang City Hunter doon sa apat na namatay na tauhan namin sa sagupaan (No City Hunter was among those four that were killed during the encounter),” he clarified.
Abu Misry also told the Manila Bulletin that the attack in Maguindanao was retaliatory move to the alleged abduction by the military of a father-and-son at the detachment in Datu Onsay town.
He only identified the victims as a certain Mohamad and Mahid that remain missing.
“Sila ay kinuha ng military doon sa detachment sa Mita sa Datu Onsay (They were taken by the military at the detachment in Mita in Datu Onsay)” Abu Misry claimed, adding that the victims were civilians and not members of the BIFF.
He also claimed that the recent attacks were part of the long-term plan of the BIFF of intensifying their offensives against the military and other government targets.
“Magpapatuloy itong aming pag-atake hanggang sa makamit namin ang aming ipinaglalaban (The attacks will continue until we realize what we have been fighting for), Abu Misry pointed out.
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Road project to connect peasant communities to Cotabato trading centers
(philstar.com)
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Officials on Wednesday launched a multi-million highway rehabilitation project in Datu Odin Sinsuat town to hasten the connectivity of ethnic Teduray and Moro peasant communities to trading centers in Cotabato City.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Maguindanao Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat, and Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Ombra Sinsuat jointly led the launching of the project in Tenorio District near the Philippine Army’s Camp Siongco in the same municipality.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division was represented in the event by its commander, Brig. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan.
Vice Gov. Sinsuat told reporters he is thankful to the ARMM government for allocating funds for the repair of the damaged portions of the highway, which connects Tenorio area to North Upi town, also in Maguindanao.
The ARMM’s public works department will bankroll the project with a grant from the region’s 2014 infrastructure budget, according to Regional Public Works Secretary Emil Sadain.
Vice Gov. Sinsuat said the project will complement the efforts of the local government of Datu Odin Sinsuat to harness the eco-tourism potentials of the municipality.
He also expressed gratitude to the ARMM leadership for having convinced recently Singaporean investors to put up palm oil plantations in the south of Datu Odin Sinsuat.
The Singaporean investors have also signified their intention of putting up a modern oil palm processing plant in Barangay Sifaran in Datu Odin Sinsuat, the vice governor said.
Hataman, Sadain and Sinsuat also distributed a thousand schoolbags, in form of "Ramadhan gift," as a sidelight of the project launching, to children in Tenorio Elementary School, located along a stretch of the highway the ARMM government will rehabilitate.
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and focus on good deeds and reparation for wrongdoings during the Ramadhan atonement season, which began June 29 and is expected to end next week depending on the sighting of the new moon to mark the start of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic Hijrah calendar.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/07/23/1349458/road-project-connect-peasant-communities-cotabato-trading-centers
-Mickey-
V-League: Army Lady Troopers clinch 5th win
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| (Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference Philippine Army vs Philippine National Police photo produced by Kawal Pinoy from Internet Sources)
By Cedelf Tupas
Published in sports.inquirer.net
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MANILA, Philippines — Flaunting the depth of its roster, Army repulsed Philippine National Police, 25-16, 25-22, 25-22, Tuesday night for a fifth straight triumph in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Troopers rested some of their starters after a fiery opening set performance, but pulled through just the same in 73 minutes to keep their bid for a seven-game elimination round sweep alive.
Nene Bautista came through with 16 points for the Lady Troopers who got an unlikely lift from Geinie Sabas with 12 hits.
Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis combined for 14 points before cheering the Army reserves from the bench in the final set.
The Lady Patrollers briefly showed signs of life taking advantage early in the second set, before the Lady Troopers rediscovered their lethal form to finally put them away.
Earlier, PLDT Home Telpad rebounded from a lethargic effort with an impressive 25-16, 25-23, 24-26, 25-19 victory over National U.
The victory kept the Turbo Boosters at second spot with a 5-1 mark, gathering momentum as the tournament heads to the quarterfinals.
Suzanne Roces spearheaded the charge with 17 hits as she came up big against Lady Bulldogs star Jaja Santiago who had 14 points. Gretchel Soltones and Lou Ann Latigay joined forces for 25 points for the Turbo Boosters whose lone loss came last week at the hands of the Lady Troopers.
The Lady Bulldogs momentarily recovered with a strong third set, before PLDT setter Rubie de Leon got Roces going anew, combining with Soltones and Latigay on attack.
Myla Pablo and Jorelle Singh also contributed a combined 25 hits for the Lady Bulldogs who need to win one of their last two games to secure a berth in the quarters.
Despite Frances Molina’s 17 markers, the Lady Patrollers remained winless in six games with their hopes of reaching the next round already snuffed out.
Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/159700/v-league-army-lady-troopers-clinch-5th-win#ixzz38L15Tyyf |
Air Force, Army, Navy thanked President Aquino for the modernization
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| (Photo of Pres Aquino during Change Command and Testimonial Review IHO General Emmanuel T Bautista by Kawal Pinoy and internet sources) |
By: Samuel Biag
Published in : angmalaya.net
“We are very thankful of President Aquino’s unprecedented support to our modernization and capability upgrade programs. Even before the signing of the Revised AFP Modernization Act in 2012, more than P16 billion was made available for the acquisition and upgrading of our assets. His continued support to our efforts to modernize the AFP will surely empower us in fulfilling our mandate,” Armed Force of the Philippines Public Affairs Office Chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala told the Philippines News Agency.
The Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy with their spokespersons, individually stated how thankful the three forces are for the President’s effort to modernize the Armed Forces.
“With the support the Army is getting, our Army Transformation Roadmap is well on its way of achieving the Army’s vision by 2028 [of being] a world-class Army that is a source of national pride,” Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said.
“The Philippine Navy is very grateful for the continued support of the President. That support can be felt down to the grassroots level, the sailors and the marines, as we continuously pursue in achieving the objectives set in our strategic sail plan and towards the attainment of our vision which is to become strong and credible,” Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
“The leadership, men and women of the Philippine Air Force, are grateful for the support of our Commander-in-Chief. The modernization of the PAF offers numerous opportunity such as further upgrading the skills of [our airmen] and expanding our capability to support territorial defense, internal security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and national development,” Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya.
As reported by Philippine News Agency, since the term of President Aquino, the AFP have contracted for 12 FA-50 Philippine version fighter jets, eight combat utility helicopters, eight attack helicopters, 63,000 units of brand-new M-4 automatic rifles, 21 refurbished combat utility helicopters, and 28 upgraded APCs.
Also, the Philippine Navy is waiting for 2 attack helicopters and two strategic sealift vessels.
Deliveries of these military hardware are expected to be finished starting the end of the year to 2017, some deliveries have already started. While acquisition process for Navy frigates and assault amphibious vehicle are on the later stage.
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/07/22/2470-air-force-army-navy-thanked-president-aquino-for-the-modernization
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