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More like a guideline if you ask me.

Today we are living in 2015 and those poster set the target for 2020 programme, tell me how far the achievement of PAF procurement department?

And how much budget had been allocated and secured for defense related procurement programme?

So far you only getting two SSV (bought from Indonesia), two LCU (Balikpapan Class), 6 utility Helo (AW-109), and two Cutter class as OPV


still no more gunboats, no corvettes (as Pohang Class still remain a mystery), no AAW frigate, no ASW helicopter and the rest you should know it better.
 
Today we are living in 2015 and those poster set the target for 2020 programme, tell me how far the achievement of PAF procurement department?

And how much budget had been allocated and secured for defense related procurement programme?

So far you only getting two SSV (bought from Indonesia), two LCU (Balikpapan Class), 6 utility Helo (AW-109), and two Cutter class as OPV


still no more gunboats, no corvettes (as Pohang Class still remain a mystery), no AAW frigate, no ASW helicopter and the rest you should know it better.

Unfortunately, it is too slow; too much politics is at play.
 
Today we are living in 2015 and those poster set the target for 2020 programme, tell me how far the achievement of PAF procurement department?

And how much budget had been allocated and secured for defense related procurement programme?

So far you only getting two SSV (bought from Indonesia), two LCU (Balikpapan Class), 6 utility Helo (AW-109), and two Cutter class as OPV


still no more gunboats, no corvettes (as Pohang Class still remain a mystery), no AAW frigate, no ASW helicopter and the rest you should know it better.

The one that can answer that question is the PN themselves, the only way they can meet those numbers is having a two pronged approach, tap excess/decommissioned assets from allies and buy new ones. Not talking about frigates but ships that can be converted to an OPV/ Armed Escort ships.

The faster they get the assets for HADR the better so they can concentrate on territorial defense.
 
The one that can answer that question is the PN themselves, the only way they can meet those numbers is having a two pronged approach, tap excess/decommissioned assets from allies and buy new ones. Not talking about frigates but ships that can be converted to an OPV/ Armed Escort ships.

The faster they get the assets for HADR the better so they can concentrate on territorial defense.

Even they considering alot about getting excess equipment and seem worries too much on how to budgeting the operational cost from the newly acquired platform, Pohang class transfer arrangement, delay in MPA Aircraft bids and rebidding of Two frigate is real cases on how your government doesn't put much of their effort to boost their Naval capability. To me your government seem doesn't take on defense issue seriously and will so for foreseeable future.
 
Even they considering alot about getting excess equipment and seem worries too much on how to budgeting the operational cost from the newly acquired platform, Pohang class transfer arrangement, delay in MPA Aircraft bids and rebidding of Two frigate is real cases on how your government doesn't put much of their effort to boost their Naval capability. To me your government seem doesn't take on defense issue seriously and will so for foreseeable future.


Obviously the government is not putting emphasis in investing on defense that's why the AFP is on a bad state until now. MDT with the US can be blame for that kind of mentality. Second is politics like cossack said, PN said in January that the winner of the bid in the frigate acquisition will be announce yet until now no news because of the source of funding, the DAP, you can thank the opposition for that. And I'll put corruption on third.

If they can even acquire half of those in number, It is a win for me.
 
Obviously the government is not putting emphasis in investing on defense that's why the AFP is on a bad state until now. MDT with the US can be blame for that kind of mentality. Second is politics like cossack said, PN said in January that the winner of the bid in the frigate acquisition will be announce yet until now no news because of the source of funding, the DAP, you can thank the opposition for that. And I'll put corruption on third.

If they can even acquire half of those in number, It is a win for me.
Why blame the US? From my view, honestly, the US did willing to help AFP modernization, just like they did offer few F-16's after they also gifting us.

Sorry for this harsh words, But the problem for Philippines, you're really need to exit from safe zone. It's been too long Philippines lies secure under US. US been challenged by China now, Philippines is the one who shocked most.
 
Why blame the US? From my view, honestly, the US did willing to help AFP modernization, just like they did offer few F-16's after they also gifting us.

Sorry for this harsh words, But the problem for Philippines, you're really need to exit from safe zone. It's been too long Philippines lies secure under US. US been challenged by China now, Philippines is the one who shocked most.

The possible, part of the reason is due to the years when the US military was still here that nearly all of our equipments were hands-me-down the point that we depended heavily to the US for second-hand weapons. In fact, 80% of our weapons back then are US made which are hands-me-down.
 
Why blame the US? From my view, honestly, the US did willing to help AFP modernization, just like they did offer few F-16's after they also gifting us.

Sorry for this harsh words, But the problem for Philippines, you're really need to exit from safe zone. It's been too long Philippines lies secure under US. US been challenged by China now, Philippines is the one who shocked most.


The f-16s offered were not possibly feasible to maintain that's why. You're putting words in my mouth, I did not say US is to blame but the Treaty with them which makes our politicians relies to much of its old ally with it comes to external threats. and if you ask me the PAF should have taken that F-16 offer.
 
Hand me down or not is not an issue as long as they still can be maintained and upgraded with viable and reasonabel costs, when you are looking at Chilean Armed Forces, 90 percent of their inventory in all branch is hand me down equipment, but they still be regarded as the most advanced and the most cost efficient Armed Forces in Latin American.
 
Hand me down or not is not an issue as long as they still can be maintained and upgraded with viable and reasonabel costs, when you are looking at Chilean Armed Forces, 90 percent of their inventory in all branch is hand me down equipment, but they still be regarded as the most advanced and the most cost efficient Armed Forces in Latin American.

Well the problem here is our budget we should make more effort but more money on military, police, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
 
Politics and National Security News:

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Military offensive turns Maguindanao into war zone
By Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)
Updated March 14, 2015 - 12:00am


DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The ongoing military operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have practically turned communities in Central Mindanao into a war zone, the People’s Council for National Unity, Reforms and Peace (PCNURP) said yesterday.

The PCNURP pointed out the communities are taking the brunt of the military offensive against the BIFF rebels blamed in the killing of 44 policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

PCNURP insisted that all-out war is never the solution to the conflict in Mindanao, as it would displace more people, especially in areas where the armed clashes take place.

PCNURP called for an immediate end to the government offensive that they said has displaced at least 73,000 people since it started on Feb. 25.

The PCNURP is seeking the truth behind the Mamasapano incident, demanding accountability and justice.

The PCNURP noted the allegations of the groups Suara Bangsamoro and KAWAGIB Moro Human Rights Alliance of indiscriminate firing and bombing by government troops.

They pointed out the all-out offensive is supposed to be launched for 10 days but the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had requested a three-day extension, resulting in more evacuees.

The declaration of an all-out offensive against the BIFF came only a month after villagers in Mamasapano had to evacuate on fears of another firefight with government forces in the area following the Jan. 25 incident.

The group noted the military launched ground and aerial attacks on the towns of Salbo, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak, on information where the BIFF are hiding.

The PCNURP explained the use of heavy artillery and air support has forced civilians to abandon their homes and evacuate to safer ground.

PCNURP is also calling on government to conduct more humanitarian assistance for those affected by the renewed clashes.

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also said the military offensive has displaced thousands of civilians.

“The all-out offensive is now resulting in the evacuation of thousands of the people in the affected areas,” MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said.

The military, on the other hand, has already cleared a portion of Maguindanao of any threats from the BIFF.

This came after government troops succeeded in capturing several camps of the BIFF in the town and outlying areas.

Occupants of the BIFF encampment in Barangay Tina in Shariff Saidona reportedly scampered to different directions as units of the Marines approached. – With John Unson, Perseus Echeminada

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‘Military offensive turns Maguindanao into war zone’ | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Philippine govt confident war against BIFF would not derail Mindanao peace process

Xinhua
March 13, 2015


MANILA: The all-out war launched by the Philippine military against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) would not affect the Mindanao peace process, according to a top Philippine government official.

The massive military offensive that started Feb. 11 against the renegade Muslim rebels in the province of Maguindanao in Mindanao, some 1,800 km south of Manila, has already resulted in the death of 73 BIFF fighters and four government troopers.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the government is confident that the military action against the BIFF would not derail the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the mainstream rebel group that has signed a peace accord with the government last year.

The BIFF is led by former MILF commander Umbra Kato who decided to split from the MILF after the latter signed a peace pact with the government. The BIFF wants to establish an Islamic state in Mindanao while the MILF opted to have a sub-state called Bangsamoro with semi-sovereign powers but still within the ambit of the Philippine government.

According to Deles, the military has assured them that the offensive against the BIFF is “very targeted” and would not include MILF-controlled areas.

The military operation against the BIFF is centered on the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao where Basit Usman, the Filipino deputy of Malaysian-born terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as “Marwan,” is believed to be hiding.

Marwan, an expert on bomb making, was killed in the bloody encounter on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, but Usman was able to escape.

The encounter also resulted in the death of 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), 18 rebels and five civilians.


On Sunday, the Philippine military said that among the killed BIFF guerrillas was a foreign-looking combatant whose identity has not been established.

Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said they have information that four foreign terrorists were being coddled by Mohammad Ali Tambako, a former leader of the BIFF who formed his own splinter group called Islamic Justice Movement (IJM).

Other reports said four Indonesians and one Pakistani terrorist are still being coddled by the BIFF.

The government-led Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities has reported a series of incidents attributed to the BIFF aimed at sabotaging the peace process.

In July last year, a total of 10 violent incidents attributed to the BIFF took place in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. In August, violent incidents reportedly instigated by the BIFF rose to 17 and took place in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and the boundaries of both areas.

By September last year, violent incidents also perpetrated by the MILF-splinter group surged to 22 and covered not just the three previously-mentioned areas but also the province of Basilan.

The operation against the BIFF has forced about 45,000 civilians to flee their homes, according to local officials.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian policeman was reportedly released by Abu Sayyaf terrorists based in Sulu after almost eight months in captivity.

Harold Cabunoc, AFP spokesman, said Malaysian police officer Zakia Aliep was transported to Sabah where he was freed on March 7.

It was not officially confirmed if ransom was paid for the release of Aliep. But one newspaper reported that ransom money of 20 million US dollars was paid to the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for the release of the Malaysian.

Aliep was seized in July last year in Simporma, Malaysia following an ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf. Another Malaysian policeman was killed.

According to Cabunoc, with Aliep’s release, the Abu Sayyaf has held seven foreign and local hostages captive in their strongholds in the predominantly Muslim island-provinces of Sulu and Basilan in the southernmost tip of the Philippines.

One report said that in July last year Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon swore an oath of loyalty to the leader of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq.

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Philippine govt confident war against BIFF would not derail Mindanao peace process
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China's latest expansion to deny Philippines' access to Ayungin
By Tessa Jamandre (Vera Files)
Updated March 12, 2015 - 10:20am


MANILA, Philippines — China has created new artificial islets in two more reefs in the disputed South China Sea, which the Philippine military fears is meant to choke off its access to Ayungin shoal, where a crumbling Philippine Navy ship is beached.

In an interview, former Air Force officer Rep. Francisco Acedillo, now partylist representative of the Magdalo party, showed the latest maritime surveillance photos revealed how China's land reclamation is expanding to cover all the seven reefs it occupies.

The latest reclamation work is being done on Mischief and Subi reefs, known to the Philippines as Panganiban and Zamora, which are fast catching up with the five other reefs where China had done reclamation work early last year.

Acedillo branded this move as "graver danger to the country's national security."

The photos, taken at an altitude of 5,000 feet,show multi-storey buildings, deep harbors, and airstrips being constructed.Also sighted were cargo and supply vessels steadily hauling construction materials in reclaimed lands.

"I warn my colleagues in Congress and the Filipino people of an impending danger to our national security and it's right at our doorstep, less than 50-kilometers away from our AyunginShoal and roughly 400-km away from Palawan," Acedillo said.

Dredging on Mischief Reef began on January 14 this year and has already formed an artificial islet which now measures around 32,062 square meters from 1,909 square meters as of Feb. 2013. At Subi reef, the PH military has monitored six cutter suction dredger vessels continuously enlarging two artificial islets at the reef.

While reclamation is ongoing in Mischief and Subi (Zamora) Reefs, Chinese naval ships were sighted patrolling the area. In January, a Jianghu class ship was sighted at Mischief Reef, while a Yuting II class landing ship was in Subi Reef.

Mischief Reef, lies 130NM from the coast of the Philippine island of Palawan, was occupied by China in 1995. Subi Reef is 230 nautical miles (NM) from mainland Palawan but it is close to Pag-asa, the largest island occupied by the Philippines.

The Philippine military believes that the reclamation of these two reefs for an expanded military presence is intended to choke off access to Ayungin shoal, where the Philippines maintains a military outpost in a rusty WWII warship beached there, the BRP Sierra Madre.

Latest surveillance photos of the five other reefs where reclamation work was discovered early last year now show an advanced stage of construction that clearly show a military facility being built there based on the configuration and the fixed structural design of the buildings.

The Philippine military believes that no matter what pronouncement and declaration of China on the intended purpose of the reclamation, clearly it will support naval and air asset operations in the area.

The reclamation will provide a fixed aircraft carrier platform in the South China Sea which was China's practical and immediate recourse because it would take at least 10 years for them to fully operate their newly acquired aircraft carrier.

A military source also believes that the indigenous fighter jets that China has unveiled recently will be tested there, which is likely to be followed soon after by the imposition of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Military sources say at the rate is it going, China's reclamation will be completed within the year. And the rush is supposed to be due to the timeline of a possible decision of the arbitration case filed by the Philippines that will determine the maritime entitlements of the reefs occupied by China in the disputed areas of the South China.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expects a resolution from the arbitral tribunal next year.

Military sources point to an implementation of ADIZ in the area as the end goal of China to exercise effective control and jurisdiction in the disputed area.

"By then, whatever the decision of the arbitration, China shall already have demonstrated effective occupation with their permanent military presence there. What to do then with the decision declaring those features as rocks having only 12 nautical miles of territorial sea when what you have standing on them are fortified air and naval bases?" one source said.


In the arbitration case pending before the international tribunal, the Philippines asked the court to declare that certain features such as rocks do not generate maritime entitlements beyond 12 NM. This would cover Johnson (Mabini) Reef which the Philippines described as a rocky protrusion at high tide, Cuarteron (Calderon) which is composed of coral rocks reaching higher than 1.5M at high tide, Fiery Cross Reef (Kagitingan) which is a submerged bank protruding rock not higher than one meter at high tide.

But the latest surveillance military photos will show the expanse at which those supposed rocks have grown, since the massive reclamation was discovered last year. Johnson or Mabini Reef has now a total land area of 7.94 hectares or 79,464 sqm. The rocky protrusion at high tide has six-storey building. The 1.5-meter high coral rock Cuarteron is now 11.97 hectares or 119,712 sqm.

And Fiery Cross which was originally a submerged bank and no more than one meter tall at high tide, now has a three kilometer airstrip with a naval harbor for patrol ships.

Gaven Reef as of February 2013 only covers an occupied area of 1,032 sqm, as of January 30 this year it has a reclaimed land area of 78,867 sqm. And being constructed thereat is a six storey-building complex what seemed to the military as an administrative office with a floor area of 4,128 sqm and other naval facilities.

The Philippine is among six claimants to the oil-rich Spratlys chain of islands in the South China Sea. It occupies nine islands called the Kalayaan Island Group. China, Taiwan and Vietnam claim the whole of the South China Sea, other claimants are Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2013, the Philippines submitted for compulsory arbitration a case to declare among others the nullity of China's nine-dash line claim over the whole of South China Sea. It is seeking relief from the arbitral tribunal to declare that the submerged features within and beyond 200 NM of Philippines are not part of China's continental shelf; China's occupation of those features therefore violates United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.

Admittedly, the DFA said the decision of the arbitral tribunal is toothless, a moral suasion and international pressure at best, even if the Philippines wins the case against China. Even a regional code of conduct being forged by ASEAN and China will then also have to contend with the realities on the ground, how to deal with China's immovable presence there.

After China shall have garrisoned the disputed areas in the South China Sea, Acedillo said the arbitration decision and whatever its worth legally, will be irrelevant. The arbitration case will at the end of the day prove to be a policy of no strategy. "How poorly we have prepared for an eventuality of a challenge to the occupation of our islands," Acedillo said.

VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true."


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China's latest expansion to deny Philippines' access to Ayungin | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Business News:
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Exports seen slowing down this year
By Louella D. Desiderio (The Philippine Star)
Updated March 14, 2015 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s exports growth may be lower than the projected 10 percent for this year due to the weakening of the currencies of the major export markets of Europe and Japan, a trade official said.

“Exports may grow slower than initially expected because of the severe depreciation of European and Japanese currencies,” Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo told reporters yesterday.

The Department of Trade and Industry had earlier projected exports would grow by 10 percent this year.

Last year, the country’s merchandise exports were valued at $61.810 billion, up nine percent from the $56.698 billion posted in 2013.

Over the last 12 months, the Japanese yen has depreciated by 20 percent against the US dollar, while the euro has weakened by 35 percent versus the greenback with the world’s top economy showing signs of recovery.

Domingo said the depreciation of the euro and yen could cut exporters’ profit margins and dampen the growth of the country’s exports as Europe and Japan are among the biggest markets for outbound shipments of Philippine goods.

“That is a concern because it looks like the dollar will continue to appreciate,” Domingo added.

But while exports could post lower growth than initially expected for the year, he said the country’s economy is still expected to remain strong this year and even in the coming years.

This, as the country continues to benefit from the lower oil prices which leads to lower production costs and more money in consumer pockets.

“Because of the big reduction of oil prices, we are going to be one of the biggest beneficiaries in the world economically,” Domingo said.

Domingo had said the economy could grow faster than eight percent this year, if oil prices remain below $60/barrel.

The country’s higher gross domestic product per capita which is leading to more consumer spending, as well as stable wage rates, skilled work force and

growth in both the information technology-business process management and manufacturing sectors, are also seen to continue to drive economic growth.

The economy grew 6.1 percent last year after expanding 7.2 percent in 2013.

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Exports seen slowing down this year | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Economy remains strong in Q1 – BSP
By Kathleen A. Martin (The Philippine Star)
Updated March 14, 2015 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The economy remains strong in the first quarter due to strong household consumption, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said.

“Prospects for the domestic economy remain favorable as private domestic demand is expected to continue to deliver positive impulses to the economy, aided by sustained remittance inflows and low inflation,” the BSP said in a report.

Economic growth accelerated to 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter from a dismal 5.3-percent growth in the third quarter last year.

This brought the full-year expansion to 6.1 percent, short of the government’s 6.5- to 7.5-percent target but still the second fastest in Asia in 2014.

“Sustained and broad-based expansion in bank lending is expected to continue to underpin domestic economic activity. Improved government spending is also seen to further support domestic demand,” the BSP said.

“Capital formation should contribute to economic growth with construction and investments in durable equipment expected to remain strong,” the central bank said.

The government hopes to grow the economy by seven to eight percent this year, which is among the highest estimates in the region.

Analysts have stressed the acceleration of public spending is key to achieving this growth amid sustained expansion in the services and manufacturing sectors.

“These positive growth dynamics are reflected in the results of the most recent BSP Consumer Expectations Survey which showed improved consumer sentiment for Q1 2015 as the confidence index (CI) returned to positive territory at 0.7 percent,” the central bank said.

Respondents of the survey have said family financial conditions are expected to be “more favorable” in the first quarter and to remain stable for the year.

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Economy remains strong in Q1 – BSP | Business, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
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Obviously the government is not putting emphasis in investing on defense that's why the AFP is on a bad state until now. MDT with the US can be blame for that kind of mentality. Second is politics like cossack said, PN said in January that the winner of the bid in the frigate acquisition will be announce yet until now no news because of the source of funding, the DAP, you can thank the opposition for that. And I'll put corruption on third.

If they can even acquire half of those in number, It is a win for me.

Pare,

unsa man balita sa plano kono mag gama kono ang Phil Army og base du-ol kono sa Puerto Princessa. tinu-od ba na ?

daghan salamat.
 
Miscellaneous News:

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Fort Drum, the unsinkable concrete ‘battleship’ of Manila Bay
Mar 3, 2015
By Pio Andrade Jr.


AS one enters and exits Manila Bay, there is no more arresting sight than a ruined concrete fort jutting out of the sea with four big guns pointing seaward. Passengers of ships passing near the island usually gawk at the ruined fort, wondering what it is. In all my trips to Mindanao for the past three years, I have heard no one identifying the fort correctly.

The ruined concrete fortification is Fort Drum, formerly El Fraile Island, a concrete battleship, the only unsinkable battleship in the world, and one of the greatest military fortifications of all time. Fort Drum is a historic island and military fortification. It deserves to be promoted as a tourist spot, and its story is worth retelling.

Philippine defense became the United States’ responsibility when it annexed the country in 1898. As part of its defense plan for its new colony against future invaders, the United States fortified four islands at the mouth of Manila Bay beginning 1909 up to 1913. The four islands were Corregidor, Caballo, Carabao and El Fraile, which became Fort MIlls, Fort Hughes, Fort Frank, and Fort Drum, respectively.

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War Plan Orange

According to War Plan Orange, the forts were to deny enemy warships from entering Manila Bay and to provide assistance in Bataan where Filipino and American soldiers were to fight a delaying action for six months.

Of the forts, Corregidor was the biggest and most important; however, El Fraile or Fort Drum, the smallest, was the most unique. It was shaped like a battleship complete with a forecastle. No wonder Fort Drum was also called USS Drum– because passengers of passing ocean liners often mistook it for a ship, albeit a strange one.

To build Fort Drum, the US Army Corps of Engineers cut El Fraile, a small rocky island to the mean water line, and, using the rock as foundation, erected a concrete fortification shaped like a battleship. The ”battleship” was 240 feet long, 160 feet wide, and 40 feet above the water line. The walls were 30-40 feet thick and the deck 20 feet deep. Inside, there were four levels connected by an axial tunnel running through the island.

Fort Drum bristled with 11 guns: Battery Wilson, a rotating turret with two 14-inch guns that can sink any known warship within 22,500 yards; Battery Marshall, the rotating turret at the front, also with two 14-inchers; Battery Roberts, a casemated battery with four 6-inch guns for minefield defense; and a battery of three 3-inch guns two of which were anti-aircraft guns.

In addition, Fort Drum had two 8-foot searchlights for night fighting. A garrison of 200 men were stationed at the fort. It took 11 years to construct Fort Drum, from 1909 to 1919. When it was completed, it was considered impregnable to all known armaments then, and impregnable it turned out to be.

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Pearl Harbor

War came to the Philippines with the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Fort Drum received its baptism of fire when Homma’s air force bombed Corregidor and its sister islands on Dec. 29, 1941, and again on Jan. 2-6, 1942.

Fort Drum was hardly nicked. Corregidor was heavily damaged, but not its guns, the anti-aircraft taking an appreciable toll on Japanese planes. The raids were costly and did not impair the fighting capabilities of the fortified islands. Thus, the Japanese stopped the bombing until later.

Beginning Jan. 25, when the Usaffe was ensconced in Bataan, the Japanese began emplacing artillery pieces in Ternate, Cavite, to shell the island forts. The battery, commanded by Maj. Toshinori Kondo, commenced shelling on Feb. 5 with four 105-mm guns and two 150-mm howitzers. The prime target on the first day was Fort Drum, which was hit 100 times without effect.

From then on, Kondo’s fire on the four islands became regular. It intensified in mid-February with the addition of two more 150-mm howitzers. The defenders responded with their big guns, but they were handicapped by lack of forward observers to give them the exact locations of Kondo’s guns. Only after Maj. Jess Villamor successfully took aerial photos of the Japanese batterries did they score direct hits.

By late February, the fire from Kondo’s guns had diminished.

But while Kondo’s fire was slackening, the Japanese were emplacing 10 240-mm howitzers in the Pico de Loro hills in Calumpang, Cavite, close to Fort Frank. This new artillery detachment under Maj. Masayoshi Hayakawa started unleashing deadly shells against the four islands on March 15.

Hayakawa’s shells, the deadliest in the Japanese arsenal, damaged most of Fort Frank’s guns. Fort Drum’s two searchlights and two anti-aircraft guns were destroyed, but not its 14-inch batterries even though many shells landed on the top, sides and face of the turrets. Fortunately, Hayakawa’s monsters were pulled out to Bataan on March 22 to join in the final assault of the peninsula. By then, Fort Drum was pock-marked with hits from Japanese shells which chipped at least four inches of concrete.

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Corregidor

After Bataan surrendered on April 9, 1942, the Japanese began preparations for taking Corregidor and its sister islands. Starting April 11, the Japanese started shelling Corregidor, Fort Hughes, Fort Frank, and Fort Drum with 110 guns ranging from 75 mm to 240 mm. The guns of Corregidor, Fort Hughes, and Fort Frank countered as best they could, but it was an unequal artillery duel.

The Japanese not only had more guns but also had observers on the ground and in the air with sensitive instrument for range-finding the islands’ batteries. Moreover, an average of 50 Japanese bombers had been bombing the islands since March 24. The defenders could lob only a few salvoes before being plastered with Japanese shells. But the guns of Fort Drum were never silenced, affording the defenders much needed protection.

Japanese shellings and bombings intensified on April 29, Emperor Hirohito’s birthday. To get rid of the pesky guns of Fort Drum, the Japanese subjected the fort to a glide-bombing attack which effected only a minor misalignment of Battery Marshall. The intense bombing-shelling continued for the next four days.
By May 5, Corregidor’s guns had been silenced, except for one 12-inch 1898 mortar of Battery Way and a few roving 155- and 75-mm guns which had not disclosed their positions. On the night of May 5, the Japanese launched their 2-battallion Corregidor invasion force. The gallant defenders destroyed two-thirds of the invaders, but the remainder made a successful beachhead with armor and three tanks.

The defenders were outflanked, and reinforcements were immediately shelled by Japanese guns to keep them from containing the invaders. General Wainwright had no choice but to surrender Corregidor on May 6.
Through all these, Fort Drum’s guns continued to blaze until minutes before the surrender.

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Liberation

The Americans returned on Oct. 20, 1944, and started the liberation of the Philippines. By Feb. 3, 1945, a flying column had reached Manila and a month-long battle liberating Manila from the Japanese ensued. While the battle of Manila was raging, the Americans started clearing the fortified islands of Japanese to open Manila Bay for shipping. Fort Drum was the last to be liberated.

To liberate Fort Drum, which was impregnable to gunfire, the Americans devised special tactics. On Friday, April 13, a Landing Ship Medium (LSM) pulled up alongside Fort Drum and discharged two platoons of soldiers by means of a specially built ramp on top of the LSM. One platoon consisted of crack snipers to cover every opening where Japanese soldiers may appear. The other platoon comprised engineers assigned to plant demolition charges.

When the charges were in place, a Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) that had also sidled alongside the fort poured 3,000 gallons of oil into one of the vents while explosives were dumped into another vent. The fuses were lit, and the LCM and LSM moved to a safe distance. The charges were detonated, resulting in a series of explosions that hurled Fort Drum’s one-ton, one-meter diameter manhole cover 50 meters straight up into the air.

It was not until April 18 that the Americans could enter the fort. They discovered 65 charred bodies. Today, Fort Drum stands a ruined hulk in the mouth of Manila Bay, no longer defiant but still unsinkable. But sadly, Fort Drum and nearby Fort Frank are neglected as tourist spots. - By Pio Andrade Jr

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Fort Drum, the unsinkable concrete 'battleship' of Manila Bay - WAR HISTORY ONLINE
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DND Starts Procuring Three Assault Crafts as Platform for ‘Missile Launch System’

14 Maret 2015


Three MPAC will be acquired and fit to missile launch system (image : ADSD)
The Department of National Defense launched an acquisition project that will increase the number of Philippine Navy’s Multi-purpose Assault Craft or MPACs. The DND-AFP is applying the amount of PhP270 million through the General Appropriations Act for the acquisition of 3 brand-new MPACS. With the said amount, three MPACs must be delivered with Mission Essential Equipment and initial Integrated Logistics Support packages. MPACs should be capable of operating at sea state five with 2.5 to 4 metres of waves or rough sea condition without systems degradation.
Procurement will be through single-stage open competitive bidding. Bid opening will be on April 6.
The DND also wants these three MPACs to be fitted with provisions for installation of advanced weapon system (remote weapon system as well as missile launch system). The government is procuring these three sea crafts as platforms. Missile launch system will be procured in a separate acquisition project.
Philippine Navy Vice-commander Rear Admiral Caesar C. Taccad said in December 2014 that there will be three missile-armed multi-purpose assault craft (MPACS). “It will be armed with stabilized weapon system with fire control complemented with a short to medium range missile system.”
These missile armed MPACS will be used for territorial sea interdiction operations with maritime situational awareness and limited credible deterrence for the protection of the country’s interest at the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine Navy is now operating six MPACs. Three from Taiwan while the other three were from Filipino shipbuilder Propmech Corporation in Subic Bay, Zambales.
(Ang Malaya)


Hope you guys buy from us. Our KCR 40 is cheap and can carry missiles. Currently it carries the Chinese C705 Missile. But I believe it can be configured to carry Exocet missile.

kcr-40-clurit-di-indonesiaproud.jpg


KCR 40 were fitted with a six-barrelled AK-630 30mm CIWS and two of the new C-705 SSM, although Jane's states that they can each carry four such missiles. It is fitted with Tracking Radar TR-47C and Searching Radar SR-47AG.

AK-630
324px-Duetak630m2.jpg


CIWS
200px-Close-In_Weapon_System.jpg


Missiles launcher
13851247231.jpg


Tracking Radar TR 47c
1252348722.jpg


Searching Radar SR47AG
P1240349.jpg
 
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