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Philippines Defence Forum

That was when we have the American bases here those stupid client commies from the Chinese and Soviet Union had their way.

Too bad. Let's blame our government for kicking Uncle Sam out.

That was 12 years ago. Geographic Politics have changed.

Some of them act as protectors or doers of illegal acts such as illegal logging, smuggling, gambling, etc. This AFP modernization program was already publicized during President Ramos term but never came to fruition. A case in point is - fund misuse of the proceeds of the sale of vast military lands wherein the proceeds should have gone to the modernization of the Armed Forces. It's about time the President to stop this culture of corruption among Generals.

Anyway I’m still impressed by your Armed Forces. To me it looks like Indonesia is already on major military build-up with equipment arriving one after another. I'm happy that a neighbor and a country that is so very friendly to us develop its capabilities. That is what you call determination. :cheers:


I think the best way to stop it is to impose one door dealing, like Russia with its Rosoboronexport. So the Armed Forces have no access for businesses.

Vielen dank brur, :tup: we both have to expand our military capability, I'm impressed to note that Philippines and PN was a formidable economy and navy in Asia back in 50's 60's.

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I'm impressed with Indonesia's strong military. Good Work:cheers:
 
That was when we have the American bases here those stupid client commies from the Chinese and Soviet Union had their way.

Then I do look forward to see Philippines sets its own setfoot without relying on the U.S assistance, building economy autonomously is more dependable in time like this, when the military needs fresh money quick.
 
Then I do look forward to see Philippines sets its own setfoot without relying on the U.S assistance, building economy autonomously is more dependable in time like this, when the military needs fresh money quick.

easy said then done comrade alot of paid pro NPA commies in congress alone they hate the idea the military as good equipment and weapons on the other hand corrupt official both civilians and military would probably steal the money but counter measures are in place like PPP (Private Public partnership) pro seeds and G2G (Government to Government) to prevent this jerks from doing anything with the money but thanks to this counter measures things are moving slow very slow
 
Then I do look forward to see Philippines sets its own setfoot without relying on the U.S assistance, building economy autonomously is more dependable in time like this, when the military needs fresh money quick.
I agree. This should be a wake-up call and opportunity for us to start helping ourselves 'cos we relied so much on the precept that we don't need to "defend" ourselves from other countries. We were naive and relied too much on US for help.

What we need right now is the minimum defense while we are slowly re-building strong military capabilities in the near future. Anyway it is never too late slowly but surely we will eventually be at par with other countries.
 
11 Filipinos among Forbes' top billionaires; Zobels, Cojuangco absent from list
By: Likha Cuevas-Miel, InterAksyon.com

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File photo of shopping mall tycoon Henry Sy, the Philippines' richest man with a net worth of $13.2 billion as of March 2013 and at number 68 in Forbes' list of wealthiest billionaires. (Photo: forbes.com)

MANILA, Philippines - As Philippine share prices continued to soar, more Filipino billionaires were able to debut in Forbes' list of the richest people in the world.

According to Forbes, 11 Filipinos made it to the list, with shopping mall tycoon Henry Sy (88) and family on top -- currently at number 68 in the global list -- with a net worth of $13.2 billion as of March 2013.

"The Philippines' richest man Henry Sy saw his fortune swell by more than $5 billion as shares of his holding firm SM Investments, the country's most valuable company, surged by over 50 percent, fuelled by reports that it may merge its property units," Forbes said.

Sy is followed by alcohol and tobacco mogul Lucio Tan (78) and family at number 248, with a net worth of $5 billion. This chemical engineer used to mop floors to pay for his tuition at the Far Eastern University.

Port operator Enrique Razon (53) followed as the third richest Filipino, ranking 258 in the global list. Razon, who entered the hotel and casino business through Bloomberry Resorts, has a net worth of $4.9 billion.

Former kitchen appliance salesman Andrew Tan (60) is ranked 345 with a net worth of $3.95 billion, thanks to his real estate, food and beverage and gaming businesses.

Ninety-one-year-old David Consunji and his family is the 503rd richest man in the world with a net worth of $2.8 billion.

"Stock price of the Philippines Stock Exchange-listed company, which is up more than 20-fold since its 2009 low, took hit recently when an accident at its coal mine in Antique province claimed three lives," Forbes said.

This is Consunji's debut in the Forbes world's billionaires list.

George Ty (80) and his family, estimated to be worth $2.6 billion, landed on number 554 in the global billionaire list, with a little help from GT Capital's initial public offering and the subsequent 40 percent jump in the holding firm's share price.

Puregold Price Club's Lucio and Susan Co made it to number 736 as their net worth climbed to $2 billion. The share price of the second largest retailer in the Philippines has doubled since it went public two years ago.

At number 931 is Robert Coyiuto Jr. (60), who is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion. "Robert Coyiuto Jr. joins the billionaire ranks for the first time on performance of Philippine power transmission company National Grid Corporation, which he owns 30 percent of and which is co-owned by the son of Philippines' richest man, Henry Sy," Forbes said.

Jollibee Foods Corp. founder Tony Tan Caktiong (60) and family debuted in the global billionaire list at number 1031 as their net worth climbed to $1.4 billion. His fastfood stores abroad now contribute 20 percent to total revenues.

Andrew Gotianun (85) and family, with a net worth of $1.2 billion, ranked 1175 in Forbes' list as Filinvest shares surged by close to a third in 2012. Their East West Banking Corp. went public last year.

Also occupying the 1175th slot is Harvard Business School alumnus Roberto Ongpin (76), whose investments in San Miguel Corp. and other interests in banking, mining, gaming, property and telecommunications allowed him to amass wealth estimated to reach $1.2 billion.

"In December, a Manila court ordered the freezing of bank accounts tied to Ongpin as part of an investigation about possible preferential treatment he got for loans from state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines," Forbes said.

Absent from this global list was Jaime Zobel de Ayala and family, estimated to be worth $2.2 billion in June 2012 and the seventh richest Filipino at that time.

Also excluded from the last was Eduardo Cojuangco, who had sold his stake in San Miguel Corp. to his right-hand man, Ramon Ang. Cojuangco was the tenth richest Filipino in June 2012 and said to be worth $1.4 billion.

11 Filipinos among Forbes' top billionaires; Zobels, Cojuangco absent from list - InterAksyon.com
 
Phl, Vietnam agree to boost defense cooperation
(philstar.com) | Updated March 6, 2013 - 4:53pm

MANILA, Philippines - Defense officials of the Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to explore ways to boost the defense cooperation between their countries.

The Defense department said Wednesday that the matter was discussed during the meeting of the Joint Defense Cooperation Working Group of the two countries last week in Manila.

“The meeting served as a mechanism for reviewing bilateral defense cooperation leading to a discussion of specific proposals on how to enhance defense cooperation between the two countries,” the department said in a statement.

“With a Memorandum of Agreement on Defense Cooperation signed in 2010, both sides identified mechanisms to substantiate the agreement,” it added.

The mechanisms include “practical cooperative activities” in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and the east that seek to enhance confidence among their respective personnel.

The West Philippine Sea has been the subject of a long-standing territorial dispute in the region. China claims virtually the entire area while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.

Other mechanisms being considered include defense and military officials exchanges, personnel exchanges, information-sharing, analyst-to-analyst exchanges.

The two countries also exchanged updates on the situation in the West Philippine Sea and other regional issues.

“The Philippines emphasized the importance it accords to the peaceful approach to the issue and stressed that it is principle that underpins the country’s decision to bring the matter to the International Arbitral Tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas,” the Defense department said.

Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop led the Philippine delegation while Maj. Gen. Vu Chien Than, director of the foreign relations department of Vietnam’s Ministry of Defense headed the Vietnamese contingent. – Alexis Romero
 
Huwag mo nalang pansinin yung sira ulo at papansin na yon.:azn:

Mahirap kabayan kasi kung pilipino nga ito gago ito paano niya magawang kumampi sa mga hayop na ito pero gago Intsik ginagamit yung atin bandila para ano gaguhin tayo hindi tama yan!
 
Philippines urges Syrian rebels to release troops
Agence France-Presse
March 6, 2013

The Philippines called Thursday for the immediate release of 21 Filipino UN peacekeepers taken hostage by Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights ceasefire zone.

The soldiers, part of a 300-strong Filipino peacekeeping unit, were detained at a rebel observation point on Wednesday by rebels who said the troops would be held until Syrian regime forces pulled back from a Golan village.

"The Philippine government is calling for the immediate release of 21 Filipino peacekeepers who are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights," the foreign affairs department said.

In a statement, the department said that all the hostages were reported to be unharmed and negotiations were under way to secure their safe release.

Philippine armed forces spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos told AFP the rebels were treating the hostages well, adding: "They are being treated as guests, not as hostiles (enemy force).

"We have high hopes that they are going to be released soon."

Burgos did not did explain the basis for his optimism, other than pointing out negotiations had started.

However, a rebel spokesman said the troops would be held until forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pulled back from the village, also accusing the UN peacekeepers of favouring Israel.

A UN Disengagement Force has been monitoring a ceasefire between Syria and Israel since 1974.

The United Nations has reported a growing number of incidents in the Golan over the past year. It has sent extra armoured vehicles and communications equipment to reinforce security for the mission.

Up to the end of February there were about 1,000 troops from Austria, Croatia, India and the Philippines operating in the ceasefire force.

But Croatia announced last week it was withdrawing its 100 troops from UNDOF because it feared for the soldiers' safety. Canada and Japan have also withdrawn their small contingents in recent months because of security fears.

Burgos said no decision had been made on whether to pull the rest of the Filipino peacekeeping unit out of the Golan Heights.



Philippines urges Syrian rebels to release troops





NBA in the Philippines: Big, big, big

BY ENZO FLOJO
POSTED ON 03/07/2013

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MANILA, Philippines -- By now, everyone already knows about the biggest NBA development involving the Philippines – an actual NBA preseason game will be played here in Manila. James Harden, Jeremy Lin, Chandler Parsons, and the rest of the Rockets will pit their skills against those of Roy Hibbert, Danny Granger, Paul George, and the rest of the Indiana Pacers.

As NBA Asia Senior VP and Managing Director Scott Levy said in my interview with him, “These are two exciting teams with some of the best young stars today.”

It’s a game sure to feature a ton of highlight reel material.

First NBA-sanctioned game since 1979

So, the real question is, why haven’t you filed your leave yet? Why haven’t you started saving up for the tickets yet? This is the first sanctioned NBA game in the Philippines since 1979 when the Washington Bullets walloped the PBA All-Stars at the Araneta Coliseum, 133-123.

I am 110% sure that this event will be a big shebang, at least if the BIG Announcement event today was to be any standard.

I walked into the Coral Gate of the SM Mall of Asia Arena expecting the usual drill for public relations occasions like this – registration, free meals, and then the big reveal. My excitement really stemmed from the fact that this was the first NBA press con I was attending – EVER. I already knew an NBA game would be played here. Heck, almost everyone in Manila who gave half a damn about NBA basketball knew it, too. We also knew who the teams would be.

We just wanted confirmation. We just wanted formality.

And, yeah, free lunch and SM/NBA loot bags never hurt anyone, right?

What greeted everyone, however, was a total production. There was an NBA photowall. The free food was actually quite good (I remember seeing a few guys go back for repeats!). The press con was held not in a room, but in the actual event bowl of the MOA Arena. The NU cheerdancers were present to open the program. Solar Sports covered it on TV, with veteran commentator Chiqui Reyes doing emcee duties. NBA Philippines presented SM Prime’s Hans Sy with an autographed Danny Granger jersey and the actual Spalding basketball that will be used in the game.

David Stern announced IT himself

For me, though, the most exciting things were the three video clips played on the MOA Arena’s imposing jumbotron. The first one was of David Stern formalizing the announcement and reminding everyone why the Philippines is an important NBA market (we actually have the most NBA fans outside of the United States, at least based on Facebook and Twitter data). The second clip had Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale describing how excited he is to come to Manila, and the last one was a teaser that contained highlights from several Rockets and Pacers. This trio of clips was a nice touch that added even more legitimacy to the whole event, while also upping the excitement factor because, well, they were all shown on the friggin’ jumbotron!!!

The row of organizers, which included, aside from Mr. Levy and Mr. Sy, NBA Asia’s Mr. Carlo Singson and West Avenue Theatre’s Mr. Eugene Tejerero among others, also graciously responded to questions from the audience. After the press con formally closed, the organizers even stayed behind to answer even more questions and grant some interviews from the info-hungry media mavens.

This was when I got to catch Mr. Levy. I asked him why it took so long for the NBA to play a game in Manila, especially considering how big an NBA market we are, and he simply said, “We finally found the perfect partner in SM.”

I was also interested to know what the teams’ and players’ itineraries would be when they arrive in Manila, but Mr. Levy and the rest of the organizers were pretty much mum about these details. All they said was we should keep tabs on the online accounts of the NBA (NBA.com, NBA Philippines, Facebook, and Twitter) for further updates.

Total entertainment

If the latest NBA-connected events are to be gauges, however, we can probably expect the Rockets and Pacers to go through the gamut of media events, basketball clinics, mall tours, and charity activities. Heck, don’t be surprised to see Jeremy Lin or Chandler Parsons end up on a Bench billboard, or maybe James Harden become an endorser for a shaving company. How about Roy Hibbert or the NBA cheerleaders on a noontime show? Here in the Philippines, that is actually possible. I hope the NBAers know what they’re getting into!

Needless to say, 2013 is going to be big for the MOA Arena and for Philippine basketball in general. I mean, the 2013 FIBA Asia will be held there and now the first ever NBA preseason game featuring two NBA clubs as well! To paraphrase one of my media colleagues, it looks like the MOA Arena is carving its own niche in local sports entertainment history.

As for ticket prices, don’t expect to pay the same amount you do for the usual UAAP or PBA games (like Php300 for a Patron seat). That just won’t happen. Instead, be ready to shell out 4-5 figures for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Even if Mr. Sy promised everyone that they already have many sponsors to help defray the costs, I don’t think the tickets will be accessible to most sectors of the metro. There wasn’t even any indication it would be shown on free TV, though I think it would be a really terrible move if they fail to acquire a free TV partner.

In any case, this game should be an awesome event. It will be BIG in practically every sense of the word. - Rappler.

NBA in the Philippines: Big, big, big
 
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship vessel visits Manila

Kyodo News
Posted at 03/07/2013

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MANILA - The flagship vessel of the U.S. 7th Fleet, which is based in Yokosuka, Japan, arrived in Manila on Thursday for a four-day visit aimed at reinforcing the "enduring relationship of the Philippines and the United States."

Aboard the USS Blue Ridge were about 1,100 officers and sailors, led by Rear Adm. John Weigold, deputy commander of the 7th Fleet, and Capt. Will Pennington, commander of the ship.

"All port visits, and this one certainly included, are a symbol of the enduring relationship between the Philippines and the United States, one that dates back many, many years, and continues to this day. It's vital to the area, and it's in the interest of both nations that we maintain those strong ties," Pennington said in a press conference aboard the ship.

Without downplaying the Philippines' dispute with China over territories in the South China Sea, Pennington said the issue does not necessarily make this year's port call in Manila more significant than its once-in-a-year visits over the past 15 years.

"Nobody should be worried about our visit," he said.

While in the Philippine capital, the ship's personnel will engage in book-reading activities in local nursery schools and sports activities such as basketball and soccer against some local teams.

There will also be leadership and professional exchanges.

An increase in port calls by U.S. Navy ships in the Philippines is being expected by the Philippine authorities following the pronouncement of U.S. President Barack Obama in 2011 about a U.S. pivot to the Asia-Pacific.

The Philippines and United States forged a Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951, and a Visiting Forces Agreement in 1998.

U.S. 7th Fleet flagship vessel visits Manila | ABS-CBN News
 
Philippines ratifies Australia military pact - Yahoo!7 Sport


Philippines ratifies Australia military pact

The Philippine Senate ratified a sensitive military pact with Australia Tuesday that lays out rules for visiting troops, in a move politicians said would improve regional security.

The agreement was first signed in 2007 but remained in legislative limbo amid political sensitivities, as the country's constitution explicitly bans the long-term stationing of foreign forces on its territory.

Its endorsement by the Senate five years on is seen by some observers as a bid to get Australia's backing in Manila's row with China over South China Sea islands.

Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said the body passed a resolution endorsing the treaty 17-1 with no abstentions, putting it into force after a four-year debate in the Philippines.

"Concurrence with the ratification... will not only pave the way for us to improve our defence mechanisms, it will also solidify our decades-old relationship with Australia," he said in a press release.

President Benigno Aquino's spokesman Edwin Lacierda hailed the senate vote.

"The Senate... has taken an important step in enhancing our national and regional security by ratifying the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between Australia and the Philippines," he said in a statement.

The two countries had earlier signed a preliminary agreement on defence and military cooperation in 1995.

The latest pact would, among other things, subject visiting soldiers to the jurisdiction of the host country should they commit acts that are illegal in the host country but not in the sending country.

The Philippines signed a similar pact in 1998 with its traditional military ally the United States.

Under the pact small numbers of US military advisers have been deployed in the southern Philippines for the past decade to help train Philippine forces fighting Islamic militants.

The lone holdout against Tuesday's signing, Senator Joker Arroyo, accused the government of putting pressure on the senators to ratify the pact to get Australian backing in Manila's ongoing row with China over the resource-rich Scarborough Shoal.

"Although the agreement is not a defence pact, its symbolism cannot be lost on China. Let us not grab at straws," Arroyo said in a statement after the vote.
 

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