Philippine New Navy chief vows safer Philippine waters

Newly installed for Philippine navy Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano.

Philippines - Newly-installed Flag-Officer-in-Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano on Wednesday vowed that he will do what is necessary, including employing methods never attempted before, to make sure that the country's territorial waters will remain safe.

"If we are achieve results never before accomplished, we must expect to employ methods never attempted before," Alano said in a speech after assuming command of the 23,000-strong navy from outgoing navy chief, Vice Admiral Alexander Pama.

President Aquino, as commander-in-chief, presided over the hand-over of navy's command from Pama to Alano held at the Philippine Navy (PN) headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Wednesday afternoon.

Pama and Alano, as well as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa, belong to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1979. Alano is retiring in May 2014. Pama on the other hand, is expected to join the civilian government as announced by the President.

Under "exciting times" without mentioning any, Alano said the Navy can make a major contribution to the AFP's missions and objectives.

"We should be a responsible partner in keeping our waters safe and secured by maintaining security stability in the (West Philippine Sea) so that freedom of navigation and international trade may continue to flourish," he said.

To do this, he said the Navy will continue to review its maritime security strategy of active archipelagic defense in such a way that true and accepted scientific and quantitative and qualitative processes are prioritized.

"The course has been plotted, sea details have been set and the command to cast off all lines has been given. Our personnel are our most major concern. What we need are not warm bodies but able-bodied sailors and marines who are motivated, disciplined and professionals," Alano declared.

He added: "It is but up for us (the Navy) to seize this golden opportunity since the presiding officer has taken helm as the President and our Commander in Chief," Alano said.

With the country's problem on insurgency on the downturn, Alano said strategic situation and the security environment now requires the defense department to be more active in the region in ensuring maritime security in Southeast Asia by being a responsible partner of keeping the country's territorial waters safe.

As a maritime nation, the Navy, amid its aging fleet of warships, has an enormous task of guarding the country's waters, including those in hotly-contested West Philippine Sea.

At present, the Navy has only four warships considered as real sea combat capable, to include the decommissioned Hamilton Class United States Coast Guard cutter, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar,the country has acquired from the US and commissioned as a frigate.

Del Pilar now serves as the Navy flagship. Another US Coast Guard cutter, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, is due to arrive in April next year as it is still undergoing major repairs and refurbishment back in the US. (http://is.gd/uANtQC)

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Philippines' biggest ever government budget 2013 of ₱2 Trillion has been approved

Philippines' Department of Education has the biggest share in the 2013 Government Budget. ₱293.32 Billion has been allocated for DepED alone.

Aquino signs ₱2T budget for 2013

Philippines' President Benigno Aquino III signed on Wednesday the ₱2.006-trillion budget for 2013, the biggest budget ever approved in the country.

Calling it the 'empowerment budget,' the president said Republic Act 10352 is designed to give citizens the power to demand services from government agencies.

"The annual budget is an instrument to institutionalize accountability," Aquino said after signing the budget into law in Malacañang.

Out of the ₱2.006 trillion allotted for 2013, the Department of Education will get the biggest chunk at ₱293.32 billion.

Aquino said the budget aims to boost sectors that include agriculture, tourism, education, health and social services through the conditional cash transfer program.

"There is nothing impossible when you have the public's interest at heart," the president said, adding that it is the first time in seven years that not a single provision of the bill was vetoed.

He added that various sectors were consulted during the crafting of the national budget, in an effort to make the process more participatory.

"The result is a national budget that reflects the need of sectors and citizens," Aquino said. (http://is.gd/dvT9C9)

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Philippines lauds Indian navy Chief's Support for the West Philippine Sea

Philippines has welcomed Navy chief DK Joshi's recent comments on the South China Sea.

Manila hails Navy chief's stand on South China Sea

NEW DELHI: Navy chief, Admiral D K Joshi's recent comment on the South China Sea may not have warmed hearts in China, or in the South Block, but they have bolstered India's standing among Asean countries.

Welcoming the underlying sentiment as part of India's Look East policy, vice-president of the Philippines, Jejomar Cabauatan Binay, told TOI in an exclusive conversation, "In the present day, these issues are no longer of parochial interest. Freedom of navigation and lawful commerce are universal interests. The statement of the Admiral is a confirmation that it is a problem that India cannot turn its back to."

Last week, Admiral Joshi had responded to journalists' questions on the Navy's preparedness, saying, "Are we preparing for it? Are we having exercises of that nature? The short answer is "Yes. We, of course, will need government clearance. Should a requirement come, I am sure we will have that clearance,'' he said. The comment came even as National Security Advisor (NSA) Shivshankar Menon was in Beijing working on a border agreement with his counterpart Dai Bingguo. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) was livid and the blame was swiftly passed on to an "irresponsible" media after the comment reverberated in various parts of the world.

The Philippines, of course, is in a unique position and in direct line of fire. The sea that China describes as South China Sea is known locally as West Philippines Sea — China and the Philippines have faced off over the Scarborough Shoal earlier this year, sparking fears of a larger regional conflict. Although the Philippines has activated a mutual defence pact with the US, Manila's response to India, said analysts, could be a sign that the region was looking for a credible balancing power.

Recently, the Philippines "sought clarification from Beijing" after a news report suggested that from January, 2013, local police would engage in "search and seizure" of ships within China's claim line.

"But we haven't received any confirmation. Other countries too have sought a clarification," Binay said.

Making a big pitch for increased Indian investment in the Philippines, the vice-president said, "We look forward to Indian investment, tourism and culture. We also welcome Indian pharmaceuticals into Philippines, because India is very advanced in this sector. But more than that, we want to have a deeper political and security relationship with India."

However, the Philippines is also clear that the recent troubles are not the defining point of their bilateral relationship with China. Like India, the Philippines has a very deep and intricate relationship with China. Binay said, "The relationship is multifaceted. After all they are our neighbours. There has been continuous dialogue at the foreign ministry level. President Aquino met President Hu Jintao and they agreed this cannot be the sum total of relations between China and the Philippines." (http://is.gd/LbTArT)

The Times of India

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