Goodwill visit of USS George Washington to Manila, Philippines

Monday, 10 August 2009

BY: LTCOl EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

The Philippine Navy is all set to meet with their American counterparts as USS George Washington arrives tomorrow 11 August 2009 in Manila for a 5-day goodwill visit to the Philippines. The officers and crew of the US Navy aircraft carrier headed by CAPT DAVID LAUSMAN USN will participate in community development projects, a 10-brgy outreach program, sports events, and various other humanitarian pursuits.
"We are eager to embark on the many worthwhile endeavors lined-up for this visit," says Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, the Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command. "This is one of those opportunities that your navy goes in partnership with brother navies from around the world in civic and community relations projects."
After a traditional courtesy call by the head of the entire delegation and Commander, Task Force 70--Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan USN--with Vice Admiral Golez on 11 August 2009, Tuesday, the activity kicks off with the professional exchange between the officers of the two navies. The days following shall see both navies busy with Filipino veterans and elementary school children's welfare projects, among others endeavors.
USS Washington leaves 15 August 2009, Saturday.

Photos taken from the following sites

http://www.japanfocus.org/-Ch__goku_Shinbun/2861
http://bbs.tiexue.net/post_3338361_1.html

Navy Stops Illegal Fishing, Transport of Logs at Quezon Province

BY: LT DARWIN F NIEVA PN
Director, NFSL Public Affairs Office

ON THIS PHOTO:

Approximately 600 pieces of illegally cut logs floating in the riverbanks in Infanta, Quezon are secured by a rope after the Navy successfully intercepted its transport to an unknown location. The logs were recovered after the boat towing it abandoned the logs when Navy vessel DF-321 that was conducting maritime patrol off Dinahican Pt, Infanta on 9 July 2009 chased the unidentified boat.

(CAPTIONS BY: NPAO)



LEGAZPI CITY, JULY 09, 2009 – PHILIPPINE NAVY SHIP STATIONED AT PUERTO REAL, QUEZON APPREHENDED FISHING BOAT ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL FISHING AND STOPS TRANSPORT OF LOGS BELIEVED TO BE ILLEGAL CUT DURING A SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF MARITIME PATROL OFF THE COAST OF POLILIO AND INFANTA ON JULY 09, 2009.

THE OPERATION WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM A CONCERNED CITIZEN ON JUL 09, 2009 AT 8 AM THAT TWO (2) MOTOR BANCAS TOWING VOLUMES OF ROUND LOGS WERE SIGHTED AT VIC 7 NM SE OF AGTA PT, POLILIO ISL, QUEZON AOUND 5 AM OF THE SAME DATE.

UPON NOTICE, DF321 DEPARTED REAL PIER TO VERIFY SAID REPORT. WHILE UNDERWAY ON OR ABOUT 1105AM, SAID CRAFT SPOTTED A FISHING BOAT CONDUCTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AT VIC 5 NM NE OF LITTLE ROCK, BGY PANDAN, REAL, QZN. DF321 APPROACHED AND CONDUCTED BOARD AND SEARCH OF THE SAID FISHING BOAT WHICH YIELDED FOLLOWING INFORMATION: NAME OF FISCHING BOAT - F/B GOD’S WILL, OWNED AND OPERATED BY ARMINDA RAMOS AND SKIPPERED BY ROLANDO QUINTANA BOTH RESIDENTS OF ATIMONAN, QUEZON WITH SEVENTEEN (17) CREW ON BOARD. SAID BOAT WAS LOADED WITH FOURTEEN (14) STYROFOAMB BOX OF ASSORTED FISH CAUGHT USING FINE MESH NET WHICH IS CLEAR VIOLATION OF SECTION 89 CHAPTER 6 OF RA 8550. APPREHENDED BOAT WAS ISSUED WITH INSPECTION AND APPREHENSION REPORT (IAR), BOARDING CERTIFICATE AND TURNED OVER TO IFARMC, REAL QUEZON FOR PROPER DISPOSITION

THEREAFTER, DF321 CONTINUED MARITIME OPERATION ALONG WATERS OFF POLILIO, QUEZON. ON OR ABOUT 1:30 PM OF THE SAME DAY, SAID NAVAL VESSEL SPOTTED THE TWO (2) REPORTED MOTOR BANCAS TOWING UNDET VOLUME OF ROUND LOGS AT VIC 8 NM NE OFF DINAHICAN PT, INFANTA, QZN. DF321 IMMEDIATELY MANEUVERED TO CHASE THE MOTOR BANCAS HOWEVER THE LATTER VEERED AWAY TOWARDS NORTHWEST DIRECTION AND ABANDONED THE LOGS.

DF321 RETRIEVED APPROX 600 PCS LOGS THENCE DEPARTED SAID AREA ENROUTE TO REAL PIER, QZN TO TURN OVER SAID LOGS TO CENRO REAL, QZN FOR PROPER DISPOSITION.

AFP Units in Albay Taking Active Stance Over Mt. Mayon

BY: LT DARWIN F NIEVA PN
Director, NFSL Public Affairs Office

ON THIS PHOTO:

Mr Cedric Daep, Executive Director of Albay PDCC, presents the Albay Contingency Plan during an emergency meeting convened by the navy in connection with the recent unrest of Mayon Volcano. Mr Ed Laguerta of PHILVOCS and other AFP and PNP units in Albay attended the conference.

LEGAZPI CITY, JULY 11, 2009 – The Armed Forces of the Philippines, PHILVOCS, Albay Provincial Disaster Coordination Council, and other uniform agencies assigned at Albay meets today at Naval Station Legazpi to re-visit contingency plan and to identify respective roles as part of the preparations being made in connection with the heightened alert level of Mayon Volcano.

Naval Forces Southern Luzon convened the coordinating conference at the naval station upon the directive of its Commander, Commodore Joel E Babas AFP. Commodore Babas stressed that the military should be able to continuously synchronize its plan with the local contingency preparation to be more effective and efficient. Being the most senior military officer at the province, the Commodore also commits the military’s unequivocal support to the local governments of Albay to ensure that all countermeasures are set for any eventualities.

The conference was presided over by Capt Romeo Nebres PN(GSC), NAVFORSOL’s Deputy Commander and attended by 901^st Brigade of the Philippine Army, Tactical Operations Group 5 of the Philippine Air Force, Coast Guard District Bicol, Police Regional Office 5, Civil Military Operations Group Southern Luzon of the Navy. Mr Eduardo Laguerta, the Resident Volcanologist of PHILVOCS and Mr Cedric Daep, Executive Director Albay PDCC presented updates on the recent Mayon activities and Provincial Government contingency plan, respectively.

Mr Daep stressed that Albay contingency plan’s primary objective is zero casualty with protection of life and property as its first and second priorities.

In a message send to Mr Daep, the Governor Joey Salceda of Albay and at the same time the Chairman of Albay PDCC lauded the prompt effort and initiative of the military.