Friday, August 21, 2009

Update in Mantangule Island, Balabac Incident as of 211300H

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office
Friday, 21 August 2009

As of today 21 Aug 1300H, the more or less 1,500 evacuees that fled their homes have returned to their homes following the successful fleet-marine operations that ended the atrocities committed by the MNLF Group. In a report sent by Commodore Orwen Cortez, the Commander of Naval Forces West to Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy, the jubilant residents started heading to their homes this morning and were restored to their normal lives. Commodore Cortez, LTC Yuri Pesigan, the Commanding Officer of MBLT-8, MGen Hernane Perez, the Commanding General, Western Command and P/SSUPT Trampe, Palawan PNP Provincial Director visited the townfolks who thanked the AFP and the PNP for coming to their aid.

A company-sized marines from 38th Marine Company established their post stay-behind force to see to it that the situation shall continue to remain placid.

"We feel elated by the people’s display of gratitude even as we continue to be haunted by accusation as to how the fleet-marine operations were conducted in support of the local PNP of Mantangule island".

"But the Navy will remain steadfast in its commitment to be our people’s partner in peace, progress, and prosperity", Vice Admiral Golez added.

Navy Renames Bases and Stations After Predecessors

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office
Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Philippine Navy has adopted new names for its bases and stations around the country to pay homage to distinguished naval leaders who have distinguished themselves in the profession of arms. In line with HPN General Order Nr 229 dated 07 July 2009, the renaming of Navy installations gives honor to our predecessors in the military/naval service who fought for the protection of our sovereignty, territorial integrity, democracy, and the maritime interests of the country.

Fort San Antonio Abad, the home of the Philippine Navy located at Roxas Blvd, Manila has been renamed Naval Station Jose Andrada, after the first Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy (FOIC, PN). Commodore Andrada, a graduate of the US Naval Academy in 1930 became FOIC, PN from February 1939 to November 1941, and November 1945 to August 1949. He was chosen as the first Commanding Officer of the Off Shore Patrol, then the sea-going arm of the Philippine Army during WWII.

The Marine Headquarters located at Ft Bonifacio formerly called Marine Base Manila is now Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown. Brown, a member of PMA Class 1955 was a Navy Captain when he became Commandant of the Philippine Marines in July 1970. He was commandant of the 1st Marine Brigade (formerly first Marine Company and later first Marine Battalion) when he was promoted to commodore in 2 September 1972.

The following are the new names of the Navy’s bases and stations:

NAVAL OPERATING BASES:

Naval Base Cavite (Sangley Pt) Naval Base Heracleo Alano
San Vicente NOB Naval Base Camilo Osias
Mactan NOB Naval Base Rafael Ramos

MARINE FACILITIES:
MB Manila Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown
MB Ternate Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim
MB Zamboanga Marine Barracks Arturo T Asuncion
MB Tawi-Tawi Marine Barracks Domingo J Deluana

NAVAL STATIONS:
NS Batu-Batu Naval Station Juan Magluyan
NS San Miguel Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui
NS Poro Point Naval Station Ernesto R Ogbinar
NS Legazpi Naval Station Julhasan A Arasain
NS Balabac Naval Station Narciso Del Rosario
NS Puerto Princesa Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon
NS Pag-Asa Naval Station Emilio Liwanag
NS Ulugan Naval Station Carlito Cunanan
NS Guimaras Naval Station Alfonso Palencia
NS Tacloban Naval Station Dioscoro Papa
NS Davao Naval Station Felix Apolinario
NS Zamboanga Naval Station Romulo M Espaldon
Bonifacio Naval Station Naval Station Jose Francisco
Fort San Antonio Abad Naval Station Jose Andrada
Fort San Felipe Naval Station Pascual Ledesma