Thursday, July 15, 2010

Updates on “Basyang” as of 11:20 a.m.

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

15 July 2010

Navy divers recovered two cadavers between the vicinity of Polilio and Balisin Island, around 11:20 a.m. today, 15 July 2010. The authority is still verifying the identity of these bodies believed to be passengers of capsized F/B Godswill.
An aircraft and 2 ships from the Navy, with SEAL Teams from the Naval Forces Southern Luzon onboard, together with the Philippine Air Force are now scouring the seas of Quezon to search for any other survivor in the capsized boat during the storm “Basyang”.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

CSAFP visits the Philippine Navy

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


LTGEN RICARDO A DAVID JR AFP, the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines visited the Navy Headquarters on 06 July 2010. Instead of a ceremonial parade and review, the new AFP Chief opted to have a dialogue with the officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees of the Navy. The visit was capped with a meeting between REAR ADMIRAL DANILO M CORTEZ AFP, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy and the top brass.

The Chief of Staff stressed in his first visit that the impending reshuffle in the AFP leadership is necessary in connection with the retirement of the three most senior military officers in the organization, GEN DELFIN N BANGIT, LTGEN RODRIGO MACLANG and VADM EMILIO C MARAYAG JR. He said that those who will be selected to occupy positions with greater responsibilities will be undergoing a selection process and will be recommended by the Boards of Generals.

LTGEN DAVID also said that we need to calibrate our campaign plan in order for the AFP to defeat the NPA and finish the ISO problem in the soonest time possible. In line with this, LTGEN DAVID also mentioned President Benigno C Aquino III and Secretary Voltaire Gazmin’s instructions to reexamine and reassess modernization so the Philippine Navy can also acquire new platforms capable of addressing and helping the PN accomplish its mission. He encouraged the judicious use of our resources, transparency, and accountability in management of our resources. By this we can also uplift the morale and welfare of our men by providing good housing benefits to them and attend to the claims of our retirees and the widows and dependents of our soldiers

LTGEN DAVID also mentioned the increase in pay of the members of the AFP effective this month so we need to bring it back by giving better services to our people. He also reiterated the no “Wang-Wang policy” of the President that as citizens we must go follow traffic regulations.

In closing, LTGEN DAVID urged the officers and personnel to work as a team, to have faith that the AFP is in the right direction. “Our cooperation is very essential in the realization of the vision for a better Armed Forces of the Philippines”.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

PRESS ADVISORY: Demonstration of NAG’s First Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

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

WHO: Naval Air Group (NAG)

WHAT: Demonstration of NAG’s First Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

WHEN: 07 July 2010 @ 9 a.m.

WHERE: Headquarters Naval Air Group, Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point Cavite City.

DETAILS:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is equipped with cameras and other sophisticated avionics systems essential in its projected aerial surveillance and reconnaissance missions. These UAVs will be the latest additions to the NAG inventory of air assets. It will make its debut flight on Wednesday, 07 July 2010 at 9 o’clock in the morning at Headquarters Naval Air Group located in Sangley Point, Cavite City. This is one of the highlights during the graduation rites of the Naval Aviation Officer’s Course (NAOC) Class 04 composed of 11 student officers.

Other highlights of the event include the presentation and helicopter demonstration of Aerospatial (AS) 355F2 and Bolkow (BO)-105CB from Manila Aerospace Products Trading (MAPTRA). These helicopters are projected to become part of the NAG’s inventory in the near future. Moreover, the “NAGBAYANIHAN 2010”, a fund-raising project initiated by the group to support peculiar requirements especially in their morale and welfare programs, shall be formally launched by the ceremonial casting of tickets by Rear Admiral Danilo M Cortez AFP, the Philippine Navy Chief, who will grace the event as the keynote speaker and guest of honor.

The addition of these 11 new naval pilots will bolster the gap between the limited qualified personnel manning the forerunner of the Philippine Fleet in air operations. These new pilots have been equipped with the basic knowledge and skills, gearing them for the upcoming modernization projects that are being implemented by the Philippine Navy for the accomplishment of its mission.

Captain Alberto B Carlos PN(GSC), the Commander of the Naval Air Group will be glad to share the future plans for these 11 new pilots and the upgrade programs to watch out for in the NAG. He will be available for interview after the event.

Friends from the media are invited to cover the said event. Interested parties may coordinate with LTJG AUGUSTUS CAESAR B BERCADES PN at mobile telephone number 09217707807
and other details.