Navy cites Filipinos in sailing tilt

By Elena L Aben

The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online, Thursday, March 24, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — The Navy takes pride in the feat of its four personnel who are members of the Philippine sailing team which recently garnered the championship crown in the recent Subic-Boracay Race that also saw teams from the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, a Navy spokesman said last Tuesday.

Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said First Class Petty Officer (PO1) Rico V. Albeso, Seaman First Class (SN) Joel Mejarito, 3rd Class Petty Officer (PO3) Ridgely Balladares and Third Class Petty Officer (PO3) Rommel Chavez sailed to victory in the IRC Cruiser/Racer Class and IRC Racing Class, respectively in the February 19-21, 2011 races.

Bacordo said Albeso and Mejarito belonged to the IRC Cruiser/Racer Class joining six other individuals in this category, while Balladares and Chavez joined 12 others in their Racing Class category.

The four are assigned with the Philippine Fleet in Sangley Point, Cavite City.

Except for Mejarito, the rest are veteran sailors who have competed in races both here and abroad. The four are the only AFP personnel in the Philippine Sailing team.

Bacordo said the four were also members of the Philippine team that topped the 1st Australian Nationals in Albany in 2010. Following this race, the team placed 2nd in the World Mirror Championship, also in Australia.

"The Subic-Boracay Race is one of the “exposure” races before the Philippine Team competes for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Palembang, Indonesia in November this year," said Bacordo.

The Navy spokesman added that the “exposure” races put the team in high gear as they aim for gold medal in the SEA Games. The Philippine team’s lone gold medal came during the 1991 SEA Games in Manila. Albeso was already part of the winning team.

"Next stop for the four and the Philippine team is the Commodore’s Cup in Subic in April. The sailing team is also slated to compete in Singapore in June, Hong Kong in August, and Japan in October," said Bacordo.

The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Navy Ship brings relief goods and heavy equipment to typhoon ravaged Isabela province

By COL ARIEL R CACULITAN PN(M)(GSC)

Acting Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Sailors and Marines of the Philippine Navy on board a Logistic Support Vessel “BRP Dagupan City” (LC 551), as part of Task Group 10.2 “Amianan Recovery,” led by CAPT NODOLFO V TEJADA PN defied the rough and dangerous sea condition to deliver the much needed relief goods and engineering equipment. The Task Group was activated in the aftermath of Typhoon “Juan” to alleviate the plight of residents who were heavily affected in the province, to help in clearing road networks, and to undertake other engineering assistance.

At dawn of 24 October 2010, the LC 551 was immediately dispatched to Isabela with the following teams and cargo on board: four naval combat engineering teams, a 60-man rescue team, a communications team, medical team, two payloaders, trailers, and a crane used for undertaking engineering and rehabilitation of various facilities.

Ten days after the devastating typhoon left the country’s area of responsibility, bad weather conditions persisted and further aggravated the condition of the affected communities. The rough sea has forced LC 551 to take shelter in Port Irene, Cagayan temporarily, but the Sailors and Marines determination never waned and eventually succeeded in penetrating the waters of Isabela to bring help to the people. As of Friday morning, 05 November 2010, LC 551 is anchored in Aubarede Pt, Divilacan, Isabela. Under normal sea condition, the ship would reach Maconacon in six hours.

The complexity of this kind of mission, once again, underscores the need for the immediate procurement of the Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) as part of the Navy’s modernization and capability upgrade program. This vessel will not only enhance the Navy’s security efforts, but will also boost its capability in performing disaster and calamity related missions.

Aside from a wide spectrum of traditional and non- traditional military operations, the MRV can serve as a Floating Government Humanitarian Center during times of calamities. It can be a platform for medical treatment of calamity victims in isolated areas, accommodate a host of activities of DSWD and NGOs for the affected communities, Springboard for Disaster Response and Rescue Operations (DRRO) teams, and other logistic and engineering supplies and equipment that are needed in response to the humanitarian emergency anywhere in the archipelago. The MRV measures 120 meters and can load up to 7,200 tons of cargo. It can accommodate 100 crew and 500 passengers and travels at a speed of 12 knots.

It can be recalled that when Typhoon “Reming” hit the country in November 2006, the destruction it caused to Bicol’s major road infrastructures blocked rescue teams to immediately reach out to the victims. Only Navy ships on mercy mission were successful in going to the calamity / disaster areas, as the sea becomes the only unhampered maneuver space for large transport of goods and equipment after typhoon. The landslide in Ginsaugon, Leyte in February 2006 also made road networks impassable for huge movement of rescue and relief contingents from the national government. Due to the poor condition in the area, without potable water and electricity, the rescuers were themselves hard up in coping to the demands of the situation because of lack of a platform to cater to all the equipment and logistics of rescuers. Unfortunately, the present inventory of naval vessels, limits the Navy’s immediate delivery of services to victims of calamities in the country. The urgency of acquiring the MRV is often felt strongly during times when peoples’ lives and properties are in great danger.

LC-551 is transporting 36 tons of relief goods from the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund composed of food, clothing, medicine, and tents. A 30-ton load of assorted food, used clothing, medicine, and tents from the Department of Social Welfare and Development is also on board.

Press Advisory re Humanitarian Mission in Isabela

LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Saturday, 24 October 2010

WHO: Philippine Navy Task Force Amianan Recovery

WHAT: Recovery, Relief and Rehabilitation Operation in Isabela

WHEN: 24 October 2010 @ 12 nn

WHERE: Commodore Divino Pier, Headquarters Philippine Navy, 2335 Pres M Roxas, Blvd, Manila

DETAILS:

Due to the extreme devastation brought about by super typhoon “Juan” in the country, specifically in the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, and more particularly in the municipalities of Palanan, Maconacon and other neighboring coastal towns, that were practically flattened from typhoon, local government sought for help. Responding to the call, Lieutenant General Gaudencio S Pangilinan, Commander, Northern Luzon Command initiated the creation of a task force and called on the Philippine Navy units under his operational command to organized a task force. In that regard, Rear Admiral Danilo M Cortez, the Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy organized a task force and designated Commodore Edgar Abogado, Commander of Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), to be the Task Force commander.

The Naval contingent that comprises the task force will proceed to Isabela through a logistics support vessel, BRP Dagupan City (LC 551). Included in the task force are four naval combat engineering teams from the Naval Construction Brigade. Two teams will conduct vertical construction while the other two teams will conduct horizontal construction. Apart from that, 60-man rescue teams, under the operational control of NFNL, have been converted from rescue to recovery, relief and rehabilitation teams. Also included in the task force are BRP Alfredo Peckson (PG 372), a Navy aircraft, and three M35 trucks. A communications van that will serve as hub will also be included to link the different military units in the area since the communications was down.

Other concerned agencies, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development, moving from Metro Manila to Palanan, Maconacon and other neighboring coastal towns of Isabela will board LC 551 tomorrow.

Commodore Abogado initiated the coordination with other institution. As of press time, the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s Sagip Kapamilya committed 500 packs of assorted goods, 500 packs of clothes and bottled water for this mission.

In this regard, we are calling all benevolent institutions to help us in this humanitarian operation. Interested party may send their relief goods through the Philippine Navy for our brothers in Isabela. LC 551 will depart from the Navy headquarters at noon on Sunday, 24 October 2010 to Isabela.

This is our effort to help our needy fellow Filipinos in that devastated area. The Philippine Navy will serve as link between our people and those who want to help them. This is another manifestation that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Navy are dependable partners in nation building specially in this time of disaster and calamity and dependable partners in times of relief, rescue, rehabilitation and other difficult situation.

Interested parties may coordinate with LTJG LIEZL M VIDALLON PN at mobile telephone number 0916-242-9920 for other details.

Updates on Philippine Navy’s effort icow typhoon “Juan” as of 211200H Oct 2010

By LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Thursday, 21 October 2010

The Philippine Navy’s Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT) deployed in Northern Luzon had shifted from response and rescue operations to relief operations to bring basic needs to the local residents affected by typhoon “Juan”. Following are the updates from Naval Forces Northern Luzon as of 12nn, 21 October 2010:

• 40 families were rescued and evacuated from four (4) of 13 flooded barangays of Dagupan, Pangasinan to evacuation centers by Philippine Fleet DRRT and DSWD employees
• 136 people benefitted from the medical mission conducted in Malued Dagupan, and Bgy Binteng-Sapilag, Rosario, La Union
• The Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOU), acting on a tip from two townsfolk, retrieved the dead body of a drowning victim, Jannel M Flores, 9yrs old of Bgy Salisay, Dagupan City
• In coordination with the local TV Station of GMA in Dagupan City, distributed 40 sacks containing 400 packs of assorted goods in Bgy Talebaew, Calasiao, Pangasinan;
• In coordination with DSWD, distributed 2,000 packs of relief goods to evacuation center in Pangasinan.

Navy shift its operations from response and rescue to clearing and relief operations

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

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

The Philippine Navy (PN) shifts from disaster response, rescue and recovery operations to road clearing operations and relief operations as typhoon “Juan” leaves the Philippines leaving wreckage on its path.

Twenty-three PN Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT), with an aggregated composition of 250 regular and 200 reservists, were deployed in the affected areas of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Vigan, Narvacan and Candon City in Ilocos Sur, San Fernando, Bonuan, and Naguillan in La union. Five Navy vessels and an aircraft were also placed on standby for this operation: BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11), BRP Dagupan City (LC 551), BRP Rizal (PS 74), BRP Alberto Navarrete (PG 394) and Diesel Fast Craft 317(DF 317) and Philippine Navy Islander (PNI) 320.

A team from Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), in tandem with PNP, was deployed to Brgy Talogtog, Candon City, Ilocos Sur and started to distribute relief goods to families. Another team was also dispatched to Brgy Villarica and distributed relief goods to 41 individuals. Meanwhile, another team completed road clearing operations in Brgy Langlangca, Candon City.

Commodore Edgar Abogado, Commander, NFNL said that several DRRT were dispatched to respond to the call of the Department of Social Welfare and development (DSWD) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) in the distribution of relief goods and in conducting assessment of the damage. Distribution of relief goods in Ilocos Sur and La Union are now ongoing. Initially, 14 barangays with 121 families in Ilocos Sur and 37 barangays with 1, 027 families in La Union benefit from the relief operations.


Medical personnel who are part of the PNART were already in evacuation centers to assess the situation and to provide necessary assistance. As soon as weather permits, PNI 320 will take off to conduct reconnaissance and assess the extent of damage brought by typhoon “Juan”.

Meanwhile, a rescue team from the Naval Education and Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales was dispatched around 4 PM today to Sitio Liwa-Liwa, San Felipe town. The 14-man team was equipped with 2 rubber boats with OBM and a trailer truck loaded with assorted life-saving paraphernalia. These include life vests, life rings, submersible pumps, portable generators, medical kits, and cutting tools.

The Philippine Navy continues to coordinate with the local government units in those areas to determine the needed preparation for the final phase of the operations, the rehabilitation phase.

Navy Rescue Teams Deploy to Cagayan, Ilocos Areas

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Monday, 18 October 2010

The Philippine Navy’s Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT) have been dispatched to areas in Cagayan and Ilocos regions this afternoon, 18 October 2010 as the alert level for “Juan” was raised to number 4. The rescue teams from the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) and Philippine Fleet will undertake rescue and relief operations and assist LGUs in that part directly to be hit by “Juan”.

One team each were dispatched to the following areas: Sta Ana, Cagayan; Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Candon City, Ilocos Sur. These teams are composed of an aggregate total of five officers and 44 enlisted personnel. They are equipped with rubber boats with OBM and trailer trucks loaded with assorted life-saving paraphernalia. These include life vests, life rings, submersible pumps, portable generators, medical kits, and cutting tools. Meanwhile, four reserve teams are prepositioned in San Fernando, City, La Union along with two teams of Marines as force protection.

Navy rescue teams have also been dispatched to Wallace, Poro Pt, La Union; Naguilian, La Union; and Bonuan, La Union. Augmenting these teams are 80 naval reservists.

At 9 AM today, a 17-man team based at the Vigan Capitol proceeded to the NFA warehouse in Vigan to haul 50 sacks of rice. The goods will be transported to the Capitol for distribution to residents who will be affected by “Juan”. Said team has been dispatched to Laoag and will be replaced by another team from the NFNL Command based in La Union.

Two more rescue teams are on a standby at the Philippine Fleet Headquarters in Sangley Pt, Cavite City for deployment to any designated area upon signal from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The Command is also organizing more teams as ready reserve and will be deployed as the need arises. Also on standby are two teams (with four officers and 24 enlisted personnel) based at the Naval Education and Training Command, Sn Antonio, Zambales.

Gaining lessons from last year’s experience with “Ondoy”, the Philippine Navy has upped the level of its preparedness in terms of training, new and better equipment, and coordination with local agencies. “I call on Filipinos to cooperate with the Navy and authorities in observing precautions,” said Rear Admiral Danilo M Cortez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy. He added that heeding this call would not only keep Filipinos out of harms’ way but would also lessen the damage to properties and help local officials in responding during emergency situations.

Navy Disaster Response Task Groups On Heightened Alert for “Juan”

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Monday, 18 October 2010

The Philippine Navy’s Disaster Response Task Groups (DRTG) are on alert since yesterday, 15 October 2010 in preparation for Typhoon “Juan”. These DRTGs are prepositioned at the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) in La Union, Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL) in Legaspi City, and the Fleet-Marine Ready Force’s task units in the Manila-Cavite areas.

In Northern Luzon, three teams are on standby with two teams located at the NFNL Headquarters. The third team at the Naval Detachment Bonoan is manned by naval reservists to augment the Navy’s regular force in the area. Each team has 10 personnel and equipped with a rubber boat and other life-saving equipment. Meanwhile, two teams are on standby at the Naval Education and Training Command, San Antonio, Zambales to respond to citizens in need.

Aside from these, three teams from NFSL are ready to be deployed to Camarines Sur and along the shorelines of Legaspi City. The Navy’s Patrol Gunboat 374 is all set to conduct rescue operations at Catanduanes and Albay if the need arises. Three other teams are also on alert at Infanta, Quezon with 10 Sailors and Marines per team. A team of Navy SEALS are also on standby. Augmenting these teams are naval ROTC cadets.

In Manila, two teams from the Naval Reserve Command (NRC), Intramuros are on standby with 10 personnel each team. They have prepared their rubber boats, trailer trucks, M35 trucks, and other life-saving equipment. Meanwhile, 20 naval reservists are also on standby in Navotas.

Four other teams under the operational command of FMRF are prepositioned at the Marine and Seabees Headquarters at Fort Bonifacio and Philippine Fleet, Cavite City. FMRF has a minimum of 10 teams and maximum of 20 teams depending on the gravity of disaster. These teams are made up of 24 officers and 159 enlisted personnel. Inventory of their equipment include the following: 9 rubber boats, 10 M35 trucks, 3 LARC, 2 ambulance, 1 amphibian truck, and 1 communications van.

The Philippine Navy is continuously monitoring events in relation to Typhoon “Juan”. Its rescue teams are prepared to help residents and local government units. It enjoins everyone to be vigilant and cooperate with local officials to ensure their safety.