Philippine Navy Search and Rescue Operations on Superferry 9 Passengers

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

Sunday, 06 September 2009



>As early as 450AM of 06Sept09 Sunday, Naval Forces Western Mindanao Commander RAdm Alexander Pama dispatched 2 Patrol Gunboats (PG 116 under CDR Carlos Sabarre and PG117 under LCdr Teofilo Pulmano);

>Around 530AM Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez directed all available floating and air assets in the area to be deployed. Two Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (BA 482 & BA483) dispatched to SAR operations area; at break of sunlight, Navy Islander aircraft took off from NavForWeM Headquarters to the SAR area;



>As of 720 AM the FIRST GOVERNMENT vessel ever to arrive in the SAR area in Siocon Bay, ZDN is Navy Patrol Gunboat 116, followed by Navy PG 117 at around 745AM. Immediately, the personnel of the vessels began retrieval of passengers of the ill-fated ferry.

>As of 820AM, around 115 passengers were already rescued by the four Navy Vessels. Naval ad hoc task group Superferry 9 headed by on-scene officer CDR Sabarre was formed to integrate navy rescue efforts and coordinate efforts of other rescue agencies arriving in the area. He reported that most rescued passengers were “very weak and needing urgent medical attention”. Drinking water is also a scarce.

> NavForWestern Mindanao operations coordinated for the availability of said personnel, water, and first aid kits, & medicines.

>At around 10AM, PG 116 has rescued 111 (including the Ship Captain of Superferry9) ; PG117 has rescued 59 (with 1 casualty); BA483 has 17 and BA482 has 71;

>As of 1120AM, Two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats with one team each of Phil Navy SEALs were dispatched to augment the rescue and retrieval teams already in the area; RAdm Pama, MGen Ben Dolorfino, CG, Westmincom flew to the SAR area to personally assess the situation.

>As of 2PM, the Navy Contingent alone (emphasis supplied so as to avoid confusion as to the figures) has rescued 442 passengers while 4 dead bodies were retrieved. From the number, the earlier passengers rescued or recovered were brought by MV Meriad to Zamboanga City as of 130PM;

>Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez condoles w/ the families of those that succumbed in this latest sea tragedy even as rescue and retrieval operations by the Navy and other government agencies are still ongoing. "The Phil Navy remains steadfast in its commitment to serve our countrymen especially in times of crisis by being there when needed the most," he said in a statement. .

Update in Super Ferry 9 Incident as 0930H

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

Sunday, 06 September 2009



As of 0830H, the vessel already capsized (bottom hull is sighted) at vicinity 5.2NM SW off Talulu Pt., Sibuco Bay, Zamboanga Del Norte or at Lat 07 Deg 29.5 mins N Long deg 57.3 min E. A total of 227 passengers (1 drowned) were rescued and transferred to MV Meriad. As of 0845H, following vessels have embarked passengers onboard: PG116 - 36; PG117 – 20; BA 483 – 17; and BA 482 – 71. Search and rescue operations still ongoing.

Update in Super Ferry 9 Incident as 0632H

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

Sunday, 06 September 2009



As of 450 AM 06 Sept 09 Patrol Gunboat 116 and Patrol Gunboat 117 have been dispatched from the Naval Forces Western Mindanao headquarters to help Superferry 9 in distress. By around 730 AM, the Navy vessels are expected to be in the search and Rescue area in Siocon Bay, 17 nautical miles off SW off Zamboanga, says Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, the Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao. Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez directed other naval floating and air assets in the area to assist in the rescue operation following a reported “abandon ship” order from the captain of Superferry. The Navy’s newly acquired Multi-Purposed Attack craft has been dispatched as of 6 AM to be aided by a Navy Islander (Aircraft) to act as spotter took off as of same time. Progress reports to follow.

Navy Apprehends Vessels Engaged in Illegal Fishing In Pangasinan

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

Thursday, 03 September 2009

The Navy in coordination with the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) apprehended five fishing boats engaged in illegal fishing in Pangasinan on Tuesday evening, 01 September 2009. Two Navy vessels- BRP Alberto Navarette (PG 394) and Diesel Fast Craft 317 (DF 317)- were immediately dispatched after Naval Forces Luzon (NAVFORNOL) Command received information about an ongoing illegal fishing activity in San Fabian town.

The Navy vessels intercepted the five fishing boats past 10PM northwest off Guecet Pt, Dagupan. The five fishing boats identified as F/B St Jude, F/B Jinky-1, F/B Blade Maker, F/B Lady Liza, and F/B Hannah Gayle were caught fishing using fine mesh net, which is a violation of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. Confiscated from the five fishing boats were an undetermined volume of fish species and fishing gears approximately worth P120,000.00. The boats with a total crew of 20 personnel were also operating without pertinent documents. The confiscated items and the boat crew were turned over to local MFARMC and PNP officials.

With its goal of combating illegal fishing activities in the area, Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NAVFORNOL) Command have intensified its maritime patrol and maritime law enforcement operations in its area of responsibility. NAVFORNOL has also strengthened its tie-up with various local government units and other government agencies in northern Luzon as a way to help local fisher folks from being deprived of their income due to illegal fishing activities in the north.

Statement from Naval Public Affairs Office Re: Lt. Gadian

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office
Thursday, 27 August 2009

The recent statements by Lt Gadian on actual participation of US Servicemen in Combat Operations are hearsay and unfounded claims. There has never been any time that our American counterparts directly participate in any actual combat operation. The AFP and USAF are well aware of the law and adheres to it religiously. What we derive from our counterparts are training of our troops and information about the terrorists that helps us in our conduct of actual operations. Its hearsay because Lt Gadian has never been into actual combat operation to be able to say for herself that American soldiers actually participate in combat operations.

Lt Gadian is facing unresolved issues over her allegations of corruption in Balikatan fund. She refuses to present evidence given all the opportunities and the fora to do so. Now and again, she dishes out preposterous claims which we doubt she will, she should prove;

This should not be an unwilly habit of anyone, especially members of the AFP to drag the institutions into a controversy by issuing irresponsible statements that she cannot substantiate and and leave the issue hanging. Our countrymen are intelligent enough to see thru the motive and doubt the credibility of Lt Gadian in again coming up with statements that are only meant to cause a controversy.

Korean Navy Visit to the Philippines

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

The Philippine Navy is all set to meet with their Korean counterparts as two Korean ships, CHOI YOUNG, a destroyer ship and DAE CHONG, a logistics ship arrive today, 24 August 2009 in Manila for a 4-day port visit. Highlight of the visit is the wreath-laying ceremony at the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) Memorial Monument at the Libingan ng mga Bayani tomorrow morning, 25 August. The officers and crew of the ships headed by RADM KIM DONG-KYUN, Korean Task Group Commander will pay courtesy calls to Manila and police officials, hold an open ship tour and cultural presentation to showcase their country’s rich cultural heritage, and will also participate in sports events to strengthen the camaraderie with the Philippine Navy, slated in the next few days.

Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez expressed optimism over the visit as this strengthens the ties between the two navies that both share a commitment in building peace and security in the region through their efforts in safeguarding their maritime territories. The Philippines and Korea also has a shared history in fighting for peace and freedom when the Philippines sent its contingent that comprised of 7,500 troops in South Korea in 1950.

After the traditional courtesy call of the Korean delegation to Vice Admiral Golez scheduled today, the activity kicks off with the professional exchange between the officers of the two navies. CHOI YOUNG and DAE CHONG will leave on 27 August 2009, Thursday.

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.