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 Rescue Teams Dispatched to La Union Today

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) based in Manila and Cavite left for La Union today, 17 October 2010. The teams will augment the DRRT of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon Command (NFNL) to readily respond to residents in affected areas in the Northern Luzon region where Typhoon “Juan” is expected to hit the strongest.

Past 2 PM today, two DRRT from the Philippine Fleet were dispatched to NFNL. Fourteen officers and personnel on board an M35 truck brought along with them 2 rubber boats and several rescue equipment. Meanwhile two other teams from the Philippine Marines with 30 officers and personnel were also dispatched. The Marine rescue teams are equipped with two rubber boats, one dehaviland boat and other life-saving equipment.

Two other DRRT from Sangley Pt, Cavite City with 31 officers and personnel also left for La Union at 4:05 PM today. The teams carried a DRO Trailer loaded with rescue paraphernalia. The Philippine Fleet is also organizing additional rescue teams as reserve teams after PAGASA reported that “Juan” is even stronger than “Ondoy” that hit the country last year.

Also at 9 AM today, a 17-men team from the NFNL Headquarters was dispatched to Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The team is now prepositioned at the capitol awaiting deployment.

Since last Friday, 15 October 2010, the Philippine Navy has put its DRRT on alert status before “Juan” made a landfall. These DRRT were prepositioned in Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), La Union, Naval Forces Southern Luzon, Legaspi City, and Manila and Cavite under the operational command of the Fleet-Marine Ready Force.

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.

Navy Statement re Capability Demonstration by the Naval Special Operations Group (NavSOG) 10 Sep 2010 at the NavSOG Hqs, Sangley Point, Cavite

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

Friday, 10 September 2010

 This demonstration by the Navy’s Special Operations
Group is part of the President’s and Commander-in-Chief’s
inspection and capability assessment of the AFP units
under his command;

 This is, by its nature, an actual briefing for the
CIC to learn about the competency and expertise of the
Philippine Navy to appraise him as to the options available
to him during crises situations like hostage-taking,
hijacking, piracy, and the like;

 By such appraisal, we made the CIC aware that he
has the control, so to speak, of the buttons that represent
all the AFP’s elite units available at his disposal – it’s
just a matter of him knowing which button to press to
address any given emergency situation.

Statement from the Director, Naval Public Affairs Office, RE- Hostage-taking in Manila and the Creation of an ‘Elite Strike Force’

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

Saturday, 28 August 2010

There are three things that we wish to put
across regarding the incident at Luneta:

First, the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces
of the Philippines commiserate with and express
our deepest sympathy to the family and loved
ones of the victims in that very unfortunate incident.
Flags in all Navy and AFP camps were flown at half mast.
Last 25th of August, our Sailors acted as pall bearers
and ceremonial elements in the Send-off Ceremony at
the NAIA for the bodies of those who perished in
that incident in Luneta. As far as we can recall,
this is the first time ever that our Navy has
afforded the same honors to anyone but our fallen
heroes or deceased foreign dignitaries.

Second, while there must be a thorough inquiry,
it should be motivated by the desire to draw the
lessons than passing and pinning the blame on anyone.

Third, what was glaring in that hostage-taking
incident was the absence of a highly-trained,
well-equipped, and efficient strike force that can
deliver the decisive blow when the need for it
like the Luneta incident arises.

Regarding Pres Aquino’s directive to create an
elite AFP-PNP strike force, the Philippine Navy
welcomes that directive from our Commander in Chief.
As a matter of fact, we have been anticipating that in the
Navy. After that fateful incident, we have ordered the
commanders of our elite Navy Special Operations Group
and Marine Force Reconnaissance to conduct an inventory
of our men and equipment.

There are three Rs that we need to do to effect
the directive of the Commander in Chief:

Reconstitution. The best among our elite units
have been deployed in conflict areas around the
country. We have to first gather them.

Re-tooling. Units dedicated for this specific
and specialized task should be well equipped.
At present, we do not have suitable high-powered
but shorter automatic weapons, masks, and night
fighting systems, among other state of the
art weaponry and equipment they need; and the 3rd R
is Refresher training.

Our SEAL Teams and Force Recon Marines have all
been trained for commando-type operations. However,
their present deployments are in combat operations
against the terrorists holed in the jungles of Basilan
and Sulu. They need to brush up their skills and
tactics to re-introduce them to urban
counter-terrorist actions.

There will have to be a fourth “R” if we have to
work with our counterparts with the PNP. That will
be Retraining.

While the basics that were taught to the commando
units in the AFP and the PNP are the same,
they need to train together to be one cohesive and
well-oiled fighting machine. And this is not difficult.
We just need some time for training before they can
gel and be a potent anti-terrorist strike force
deployable anywhere in the country at a moment’s
notice.

These will not affect the ongoing operations
in the Navy because our recruitment and training
of our elite units are continuous.

Navy Confiscates 100 Drums of Smuggled Gasoline in Sulu

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

Following the government’s drive to decimate economic saboteurs, Philippine Navy vessel BRP Rafael Pargas (PG 379) confiscated 100 drums of smuggled gasoline in Parang, Sulu Thursday afternoon, 10 September 2009. The smuggled gasoline was on board M/L J-Sayang-1 when the Navy intercepted the motor launch in the vicinity southwest off Bunga Pt, Parang, Sulu.

Patrol Gunboat 379 and elements of Naval Special Operations Unit-6 launched the operation based on intelligence information from NISG- Western Mindanao. Board and search procedure conducted by the Navy yielded the drums of smuggled gasoline with an estimated market value of P607,500.00. The items, without proper documents are reportedly from Sandakan, Malaysia. The said motor launch is owned by a certain Jomalol Dahi while the ship’s master is identified as Master Patronbara Uri with 13 crew and one passenger. The Navy vessel escorted the motor launch to Jolo Pier for proper turn-over to the local office of the Bureau of Customs.

Navy units in the south have remained vigilant in their inter-agency conduct of maritime operations together with the Bureau of Customs to prevent pirates and lawless groups from exploiting our marine resources and using our maritime territory for their illegal activities. “A secure maritime environment is a big boost to the government’s economic development goals and peace efforts especially in Mindanao,” says Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy. “The Philippine Navy remains committed to its objectives through intensified operations of Fleet-Marine units all over the country against insurgent and separatist groups, smugglers and other lawless and criminal elements who retard the country’s economic gains.”
In July this year, intensified maritime and negation patrols resulted in the confiscation of smuggled goods worth P10.95 million in the Basilan-Sulu area. LCdr Ronnie C Pava is the skipper of PG 379.

Update in Mantangule Island, Balabac Incident as of 191000H

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

Reports sent to Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Navy Flag Officer In-Command by Commodore Orwen Cortez, Commander, Naval Forces West indicate that the fleet-marine operations led by the ground component commander Marine Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Pesigan was constrained to attack the MNLF group of Abdullah Abdurajak that is holed in the mosque they occupied in Sitio Marabon, Mantangule, Balabac, Palawan.

The enemy failed to surrender before sundown per ultimatum given by LTC Pesigan to Haji Sukarno Jamal, the emissary of the surrender filler. The Navy SEAL and Marine Teams under the orders of Commo Cortez launched a surgical assault on the MNLF group midnight of 18 August 09.

Sporadic firefighting that started 7am, 19 August 2009 ongoing. Two dead with firearms (one dead body already recovered) and two men captured from the marauders. Navy ships of Naval Task Group 41.5 under Commander Alberto Cruz are now patrolling the seas to pre-empt the enemy from escaping.

VADM Golez: “We will pursue the operation until its rapid conclusion and restore the rule of law in the island. We will get these marauders and kidnappers who are now shooting it out with our fleet-marine personnel.”

Naval Station Commanding Officer Joins Milo Marathon

BY:NFEM-PAO

THE personnel of the Naval Station in Davao City are not only active in events for environmental protection, but are also upbeat in joining sports events that are highly significant for physical conditioning.

This was proven by LCDR MANUEL L GIMENA PN, Commanding Officer, Naval Station Davao as he joined in the 10k fun run of the 33rd Regional Elimination for Davao Region and emerged in the top 15 last July 12, 2009.

Aside from the Naval Station Davao, the activity was also participated in by private companies, schools, government agencies, the EASTMINCOM, 10th Infantry Division Philippine Army and the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Command.

The regional race was part of the National Milo Marathon, the country's longest and biggest footrace. The fun run started at 5 a.m. at Rizal Park and has categories such as the 3k kiddies run, the 5k fun run, 10k run, and the 21k regional race.

Finishers in each of the categories were given cash prizes, while the top three male and female finishers in the 21k race got an all-expense trip to Manila to compete for the national finals. (NFEM-PAO)

Naval Station Commanding Officer LCDR MANUEL L GIMENA PN actively participated in the Milo Marathon regional race on 12 July 2009 where he emerged as top 15 in the 10k run division.

NAVY PERSONNEL DONATE BLOOD

BY: NFEM-PAO

THE Philippine Navy, through Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) participated in the blood letting activity that was spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao, in cooperation with the Association of Hematologists Mindanao Fund Inc., the Davao Medical Society, and the Philippine National Red Cross. Around 45 officers and enlisted personnel represented the Navy during the blood donation drive held at the Davao Medical Society Compound in Madapo Hills, Davao City on July 18, 2009.

The Navy participants were CDR LUZVIMINDA CAMACHO PN, LCDR FLORO C CANALEJA JR PN, ENS MAYREL ALLAN A LUZA PN, ENS ALEX JOE E CORPIZ PN, Enlisted Personnel, civilian employees and Basic Citizen Military Training contingents headed by PO1 Lorenzo Lomibao of the Naval Reserve Command Center Eastern Mindanao.

LCDR FLORO C CANALEJA JR PN was chosen as one the speakers in the said activity because of his recent experience in a dengue case where his daughter feel ill and was hospitalized for almost a week. He stressed the importance of the activity in saving the lives of other people- those affected by dengue and other medical cases needing instant blood transfusion.

Aside from the Philippine Navy, the blood letting activity was also participated in by the 10th Infantry Division, Eastern Mindanao Command, the Philippine National Police, and students from the University of Mindanao. The activity aims to provide hospitals and medical facilities with readily available blood in times of casualties, accidents and emergencies. The organizer, the Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao, conducted the activity in response to the rise of dengue cases and the demand for blood used during transfusions.

Rotary Club of Waling Waling Davao president Dra. Mae Dolendo thanked all the participants who graciously gave their time, effort and blood in order to save lives. (NFEM-PAO)