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.

Philippine Navy is All Set for the Conduct of CARAT and PHIBLEX

By LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Wednesday, 06 October 2010

Sailors and marines of the Philippine Navy stand to benefit militarily in a nine-day training while civilians from Central Luzon stand to gain in humanitarian assistance and development projects American sailors and marines will undertake in tandem with their Filipino counterparts.

More than 3,000 sailors, marines, and aviators to include logistics support units of the US Navy and the US Marines have arrived for the exercises namely: CARAT and PHIBLEX. Around 6 US Navy vessels and 3 aircrafts participate in this annual event that involve five Philippine Navy ships and around 1,000-strong PN contingent of sailors and marines.

CARAT or Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training between ships and sailors of the two countries kicks-off 13th of October at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in Zambales and winds up in a closing ceremony on the 22th of October also in the same venue. It shall be comprised of "in-port" and "at-sea" training activities. Included in the "in-port" events are: Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, community service activities like medical/dental/engineering civic action and other humanitarian activities. Meanwhile, "at sea" events are comprised of Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Procedure, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Surveillance, and Naval Gunfire Support, among others.

PHIBLEX or Amphibious Landing Exercise will involve American and Filipino marines and amphibious vehicles. A boat raid exercise will be held in Marine Base Ternate in Cavite and a mechanized raid will be had in the coast of Naval Education and Training Command in Zambales. It will commence on the 14th of October in an opening rites at Clark, Pampanga and closes on the 22nd of October at the Philippine Marine Corps Headquarters at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown at the Naval Station Jose Francisco in Taguig City.

The exercises hope to attain inter-operability between the two armed services of both countries. Particularly, it seeks to bolster the inter-operability of the participating country's armed services in territorial defense in pursuit of our national defense strategy.

Press Advisory re Turnover of Public Toilet to Navotas Townsfolk

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

Monday, 13 September 2010

WHO: Philippine Fishport of Navotas Neighborhood Association
in partnership with the Philippine Navy

WHAT: Turn Over of Public Toilet

WHEN: 14 September 2010 @ 8:00 a.m.

WHERE: Market 3, Barangay North Bay Boulevard North (NBBN),
Navotas City

DETAILS:

The Philippine Navy, led by the Fleet-Marine Ready Force,
will turn-over the public toilet to the Philippine
Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) - Navotas Fish
Port Complex (NFPC) and transfer its management to the
officials of Fishport of Navotas Neighborhood Association
(FONNA) in a simple ceremony on Tuesday, 14 September 2010
at 8:00 a.m. MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR I TABAQUERO, Commander,
National Capital Region Command will be the guest speaker.

The local residents of Market 3, Barangay NBBN, Navotas
City in partnership with the Naval Construction Brigade,
the engineering arm of the Navy, constructed the project
from 14 June 2010 to 10 July 2010. The turn over ceremony
will be preceded by feeding program, free haircut for men
and women, storytelling and film showing with the help of
other PN units and naval reservists.

Friends from the media are invited to cover the said event.
Interested parties may coordinate with LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
LEVI CARANE PN at mobile telephone number 0928-326-7949
for other details.

Philippine Navy Chief Of Staff Turn-Over

After serving as Chief of Naval Staff for about four months under two Flag-Officer-in-Commands, Commodore Vicente M Agdamag AFP leaves his post today September 24, 2008 to assume a crucial command of major responsibility. He will be replaced by the current Deputy Commander of the Philippine Fleet, Commo. Feliciano Angue.

The turn-over was made in a simple ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy presided by Rear Admiral Ferdinand S. Golez, AFP, the Flag-Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy. Commo. Agdamag will take the post as Commander of the Naval Education and Training Command which was the last assignment of the current Radm Golez prior taking the helm of the entire Philippine Navy. Located in the heart of Naval Station San Miguel, San Antonio, Zambales, NETC is the Philippine Navy's prime institution of learning whose mission is to provide education and training to naval personnel so that they may be able to pursue progressive naval careers.

Commo. Agdamag served the navy as the CNS for a very brief period of time but have made a lasting legacy among those whom he have worked in the headquarters of the navy. In his statement he said "most great leaders in history are megalomaniac. A megalomaniac is a person who has an obsession for grandeur." Referring to popular military and political leaders of the world with high desire for great fame and popularity, social influence and tremendous political power. "What lasting legacy could I possibly contribute to the office given the very short period of time that I served? Have I made my distinct mark?", he added. But in the end, he claimed "... I realized I need not worry on these thoughts, because I have made my distinct mark in the history of the office of the CNS."



Philippine Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command RADM Golez AFP, hands over the Symbol of Authority of the Chief of Naval Staff from Commo. Agdamag to Commo. Angue, the new CNS.