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

Wednesday, 10 March 2010


WHO: US and Philippine Navy Contingents that will form part of Balikatan 2010

WHAT: Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Capability Demonstration

WHEN: 13 March 2010 @ 8 a.m.

WHERE: In the vicinity of Manila Bay at 5 Nautical Miles Southwest off San Nicholas Shoal


DETAILS:


The RP-US Bilateral Exercise dubbed as Balikatan 2010 was formally opened last Monday, 09 March 2010 at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Balikatan 2010 exercises also include Naval Forces (NAVFOR) events, Marine Forces (MARFOR) events, combined-joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise (EODEX)/Diving Exercise (DIVEX), and Combined Afloat Staff Planning.

Part of the NAVFOR events is the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) capability demonstration that will be showcased on 13 March 2010 at 10 a.m. in the vicinity of Manila Bay. Philippine Navy Logistics Support Vessel, BRP Dagupan City (LC 551) and the Patrol Ship, BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36) together with USS Harper’s Ferry will be the vessels that will show the maneuvers at sea in conducting VBSS. The members of the elite force of the Philippine Navy’s Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) and the US Navy Seals will act as main actors during their real-time exhibition.

VBSS is a drill that harness maritime boarding actions and tactics, designed to capture enemy vessels, to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling, and to conduct customs, safety and other inspections, as employed by modern navies, marine and maritime services, military and police forces. This capability is an integral part of the doctrine of the Navy to thwart maritime terrorism and to protect the vast and porous borders of our country against lawless elements.

Friends from the media are invited to cover the said event. A 25-seater Rosa Bus will be available to ferry media personnel. Said vehicle will be prepositioned on or about 7 a.m. beside AFP Public Affairs Office, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo and will depart 7:15 a.m. enroute to Philippine Navy Headquarters. A Navy vessel, BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG 847), will be made available and will preposition at Commodore Divino Pier, Headquarters Philippine Navy, Roxas Boulevard, Manila 8 o’clock in the morning to ferry observers and media to the exercise (at sea) area and back. Interested parties may coordinate with LTJG MARINETH R DOMINGO PN at mobile number 0917.817.1434 for more details.

Navy’s New Admiral, Reservists

Newly commissioned officers into the reserve component of the Philippine Navy take their oath during a ceremony at the Navy Headquarters on 08 March 2010. From left to right are Cdr Eugenio A Insigne, the incumbent Chairman of the National Commission on Indigenous People; Cpt Norman L Fabia, a licensed electrical engineer; and Cpt Manuel T Cosio, a licensed architect. The Reserve Component plays an important role in national defense, domestic emergencies, and socioeconomic development programs.



Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy and Rear Admiral Danilo M Cortez, Vice Commander, don the new rank insignia on Rear Admiral Raul P Espera Jr during a ceremony at the Navy Headquarters on 08 March 2010. Rear Admiral Espera, member of PMA Class 1977 is the incumbent commandant of the AFP Command and General Staff Course (CGSC) in Camp Aginaldo, Quezon City.

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

Monday, 08 March 2010

A new admiral is added to the roster of senior officers while three new reservists now join the officer corps of the Philippine Navy. Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy presided the donning of rank insignias during the Monday morning colors today, 08 March 2010 at the Philippine Navy Headquarters, Roxas Blvd, Manila.

Promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral is Commodore Ramon P Espera Jr, the incumbent commandant of the AFP Command and General Staff Course (CGSC) in Camp Aginaldo, Quezon City. Radm Espera, a member of PMA Class 1977 was Acting Commander of the Western Command based in Palawan and Commander of the Naval Forces West, also in Palawan prior to his assignment at CGSC.

Meanwhile, the Navy also welcomed the addition of three new officers in its reserve corps. The newly-commissioned officers are: Cdr Eugenio A Insigne, the incumbent Chairman of the National Commission on Indigenous People; Cpt Norman L Fabia, a licensed electrical engineer; and Cpt Manuel T Cosio, a licensed architect.

Cdr Insigne was appointed by virtue of his functions and responsibilities as public official and in recognition of his vital role in the execution of civil defense and related plans both at the national and local levels. Cpts Fabia and Cosio will be assigned at the Naval Construction Brigade (Seabees) where they will train and assist naval engineers, architects, and other reservists as Seabees carry out its national development projects throughout the country. Also taking place was the ceremonial donning of ranks to Lcdr Rolando Adorable to the rank of full Commander.

The Reserve Component of the Philippine Navy as well as in the whole AFP plays an important role in national defense and in domestic emergencies. They are called upon to assist the Navy in relief and rescue operations during calamities and assist the AFP in implementing socioeconomic development programs.