Philippines Defence Forum

[Zero_wing]

aren't those rifles are actually old? those rifle are mainly covered by wood and wooden buttstock. Phil military forces are still using it?

Sir nufix sorry being Semana Santa a holy holiday here my PC time is very limited so about the M1 and the M14 most of them are modernized the rest are old yes but they can still fire in fact the M1 and M14 according to my solders are better than M16 because its hard to maintain and fix while M1s and M14 are so easy to Maintain and excellent in jungle fighting about the M16s we have we are upgrading the A1s according to the DND and my sources the old M16 A1s (most were made in the Philippines by company that when under in the 90s called Elisco Tool Manufacturing, Co.) are being modernized to the A2 and A3s and adding more service life to given in to normal solders the rest are being put on stocks the rest redistributed to the CAFGUS with limited modernization just to add more service life info is sketchy but that's the best i can do for now, Anyway the Government by the Government Arsenal (i know you know about them you posted some article about the GA) is planing to our own version of M16 i think this from the bill that was sign to boost their capabilities and does equipment we bought from other countries especially from Canada something called GA (Government Arsenal) 5.56 rifle with three variants one for standard rifle base on the M16 with one is this Recon/SOF model: Barrel: 14.5 inch standard contour heavy barrel with 1:7 RH twist and cut down for a grenade launcher, and our own invention GA muzzle brake, flattop upper receiver with a fixed cartridge case deflector, forward bolt assist, Picatinny rail with standard 1913 STANAG 4694 compliant rail spaces; detachable carry handle with A2 sights, flip up front sights; and rail adaptor system Others categories include Recon type its basically like A SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) of the Americans and other a Sniper or (Designated Marksman Rifle/Special Purpose Rifle) is base on our MSSR (Marine Scout Sniper Rifle) its basically an modified Semi auto M16 with longer barrel and telescope that looks like if you mix an M16 and Barrett M82 but still 5.56 because its more cheap to modify a M16 then buying the standard Barrett and Remington S700 which almost a company of marines worth that's the government for you anyway moving on the last variant is the Service Rifle model with a 16 inch standard contour barrel with the heavy end forward of the round A2 handguards and 1:7 RH twist, bayonet lug and our own made GA muzzle brake; fixed carry handle and A2 sights on upper receiver with forward bolt assist, standard A2 front sights, telescopic buttstock; provision or grenade launcher; semi and select fire which will be a replacement even to the modernized M16A1. But again this old news about 2 years old no news yet but knowing the man in-charge (its led by Major General Jonathan C Martir AFP Philippine Marine Corp who was a former Marine) it will happen very soon

This a great development my hats off to the the Ret. General Martir he really made some great changes from packing of ammo using plastic ammo carton boxes placed in vacuum-sealed plastic bags with silica gel packs (the first in the world to do it on Ammunitions) then placed in plastic crate with carton fillers. to buying more equipments for the Arsenal to going around foreign defense companies trying to buy guns or getting licenses for guns or buying more equipment for the arsenal.

here some links: Comrade thanks for your continued questions and support.
Official website of the Government Arsenal
http://www.arsenal.mil.ph/images/bullet-in-oct11.pdf

 

[Malaya]

Philippines gets first ever investment grade rating
By Reuters
Published: March 27, 2013

MANILA - Fitch Ratings raised the Philippines' credit rating to investment grade on Wednesday, a first for the Southeast Asian nation, in a move expected to boost investment and lift the country's long-term growth potential.

The upgrade is a vote of confidence in the government's efforts to achieve fiscal sustainability, curb corruption and increase infrastructure spending, and comes as a growing number of much larger economies in the West struggle to avoid credit rating downgrades.

''The Philippines' sovereign external balance sheet is considered strong relative to 'A' range peers, let alone 'BB' and 'BBB' category medians,'' Fitch said in its statement, adding a persistent current account surplus underpinned by remittance inflows has helped the country obtain a net external creditor position.

President Benigno Aquino, who took office more than two years ago, wants to achieve economic growth of as high as 8.5 percent before he steps down in 2016 by creating more jobs and increasing income levels in a country where nearly a third of its 96 million people live below the poverty line.

Investors have already been pricing Philippine bonds at levels similar to investment-grade nations. But by having it made official by Fitch, it will reduce the country's borrowing costs and widen Manila's base of potential investors as some funds have restrictions on holding sub-investment grade debt.

Philippine sovereign bond prices jumped on the news, with the benchmark 2037 bonds rallying to 115.50 basis points from 114.625 bid as soon as the upgrade was announced.

The Philippine peso edged higher versus the dollar and local stocks extended modest early gains to more than 3 percent.

Once regarded as an economic basket case, the Southeast Asian nation has more recently been attracting strong capital inflows, thanks to the economy's resilience, backed by robust domestic demand, and expectations it would be promoted to investment grade status this year.

Those inflows have driven a 15 rise in the stock market so far this year, making it Asia's second best performing bourse after Vietnam.

 

[Malaya]

Philippine Navy Signs Contract For Three AW109 Power Helicopters

27/03/2013

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the signing of a contract with the Philippine Navy for three AW109 Power maritime helicopters plus two options. The helicopters will be used for a wide range of naval missions including economic zone protection, surface surveillance, SAR and maritime security. The aircraft will be delivered in 2014 and will operate from both shore and ship bases. The contract includes initial logistics support and training for aircrew and maintenance personnel.

Vincenzo Alaimo, AgustaWestland’s Head of Regional Sales for SE Asia, said “We are delighted that the Philippine Navy has selected the AW109 Power as part of its armed forces modernisation programme after an extensive evaluation of competing types. The AW109 Power’s multi-role abilities and high performance will provide the Philippine Navy with an enhanced maritime operational capability.”

The AW109 Power is a three-tonne class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206C engines with FADEC. The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles. The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines. The AW109 Power has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions. The AW109 Power’s superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class. For shipboard operations the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures. The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW109 Power to perform its mission when many others helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar. Over 550 AW109 Power and AW109 LUH helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.

Philippine Navy Signs Contract For Three AW109 Power Helicopters | AgustaWestland

 

[Bob Ong]

Philippines gets first ever investment grade rating
By Reuters
Published: March 27, 2013

MANILA - Fitch Ratings raised the Philippines' credit rating to investment grade on Wednesday, a first for the Southeast Asian nation, in a move expected to boost investment and lift the country's long-term growth potential.

The upgrade is a vote of confidence in the government's efforts to achieve fiscal sustainability, curb corruption and increase infrastructure spending, and comes as a growing number of much larger economies in the West struggle to avoid credit rating downgrades.

''The Philippines' sovereign external balance sheet is considered strong relative to 'A' range peers, let alone 'BB' and 'BBB' category medians,'' Fitch said in its statement, adding a persistent current account surplus underpinned by remittance inflows has helped the country obtain a net external creditor position.

President Benigno Aquino, who took office more than two years ago, wants to achieve economic growth of as high as 8.5 percent before he steps down in 2016 by creating more jobs and increasing income levels in a country where nearly a third of its 96 million people live below the poverty line.

Investors have already been pricing Philippine bonds at levels similar to investment-grade nations. But by having it made official by Fitch, it will reduce the country's borrowing costs and widen Manila's base of potential investors as some funds have restrictions on holding sub-investment grade debt.

Philippine sovereign bond prices jumped on the news, with the benchmark 2037 bonds rallying to 115.50 basis points from 114.625 bid as soon as the upgrade was announced.

The Philippine peso edged higher versus the dollar and local stocks extended modest early gains to more than 3 percent.

Once regarded as an economic basket case, the Southeast Asian nation has more recently been attracting strong capital inflows, thanks to the economy's resilience, backed by robust domestic demand, and expectations it would be promoted to investment grade status this year.

Those inflows have driven a 15 rise in the stock market so far this year, making it Asia's second best performing bourse after Vietnam.

This is a good start.

I hope the succeeding Government will not waste this tremendous improvement in the credit rating.

 

[Malaya]

The Philippines’ BRICS future
By Dan Steinbock
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Monday, April 1st, 2013

Last week, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, or the BRICS nations, met for their fifth summit in South Africa. The growth prospects in these economies are no longer immune to the severe debt crises in the West. In the short term, India and South Africa may be at the biggest risk of sovereign-rating downgrade.

Among the emerging economies, the Philippines is best placed for an upgrade. It is favorably positioned to sustain growth in an exceptionally grim international landscape.

During the past decade, I have used much time to analyze and to consult on the transformation of the major advanced and large emerging economies worldwide. After the global crisis of 2008-09, this transformation has only accelerated.

When Goldman Sachs identified the emerging group of potential successors to BRICS a few years ago, the Philippines also made it into the list, in the footprints of two other major Southeast Asian nations—Indonesia and Vietnam—that have attracted much more foreign direct investments so far.

In the aftermath of the Ramos era, the inclusion was based mainly on the economic potential rather than a sustained growth record. In 2002, the Philippines gross domestic product (GDP) still amounted to $81 billion, in current prices. Today, it has tripled to $241 billion.

In the aftermath of the global crisis, the Philippines is one of the few nations in which forecasts are revised up by financial analysts. In January, it reported a 6.8-percent year-to-year growth, which made it the growth leader in Southeast Asia. Almost half of the recent growth can be attributed to private consumption, which has been coupled by investment, especially in construction. Due to the impending mid-term elections in May, government spending will accelerate through the spring.

Business process outsourcing now exceeds the value of the remittances flows. Diversification is accelerating into non-electronic exports. Meanwhile, the Philippine peso has been appreciating significantly, along with resurging capital inflows. The acceleration of domestic demand since the first quarter of 2012 reflects the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals, stronger government finances, and high confidence in the Aquino government’s commitment to reform.

Along with current account surpluses and foreign exchange reserves, the growth record has given rise to a more diversified export basket, while shielding the economy from very challenging international headwinds.

Complacency not an option

In the past few months, one investment bank after another has argued that the Philippines is on its path for a bright BRIC future.

The beauty of the BRICS projections is that they allow policy architects to reflect on (very) long time perspectives. The trap of the same projections is that, when they create a sense of inevitability, they can lull even the most promising growth stories into complacency.

In the Philippines, delivering the growth promise is predicated on accelerated structural progress. According to various competitiveness indicators, the country has made dramatic strides in improving competitiveness, often from a very low base. The perception is that corruption and red tape are finally addressed decisively. In addition to the strong macroeconomic performance, the financial sector has become supportive of business activity.

Despite these positive trends, weaknesses remain to be addressed, including the poor infrastructure, various market inefficiencies and labor market rigidities. As the Aquino administration knows only too well, the economy needs to shift from consumption toward investment, both public and private. Sectorally, this requires rising productivity in agriculture, while requiring less dependence on low-wage and low-skill services and more on labor-intensive manufacturing and high value services.

In BRICS economies, such changes have typically preceded periods of sustained growth. However, they have required difficult policy reforms in agriculture, manufacturing, business and labor regulations, and social protection, in order to raise the incentives for entrepreneurship and job creation. In turn, these reforms make possible greater public investment in health, education, and infrastructure.

Inclusive growth

Today, the Philippines is at the verge of receiving an investment-grade rating by the major rating agencies. In the absence of adverse surprises, most agencies are likely to upgrade the Philippines economy within a year and a half, if not sooner. Nonetheless, significant challenges of poverty remain. Growth is not yet inclusive.

Except for Brazil, inequities have typically increased in all emerging economies during their high-growth phases, while job-creation has been strong and unemployment low. In the Philippines, the story is different because labor outcomes have been less responsive to growth. Even in 2011-2012, unemployment rate stayed at 7 percent, while underemployment rate rose to 22.7 percent since the number of full-time jobs declined by half a million in the same period.

In the next half a decade, GDP growth rate in the Philippines could climb close to that of China. In order to be sustained, this growth must become more inclusive, however.

In the Philippines, the BRICS future has potential for a large consumer economy, with some 150-170 million people by 2050. That objective is predicated on huge expansion of consumption, which is only viable through more inclusive growth.

Due to the historical legacies of the Philippine political and economic institutions, there remain strong vested interests in the current status quo. That, in turn, makes vital reforms challenging to implement, as the IMF and the World Bank have argued. However, the Aquino administration has proven able and willing to make difficult decisions.

In all BRICS nations, sustained growth has been neither inevitable nor automatic. It must be made to happen. It must be realized.

The Philippines

 

[Malaya]

US to send amphibious landing ship for Phl-US annual exercise
(philstar.com) | Updated April 1, 2013

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The United States is sending USS Tortuga, an amphibious dock landing ship of the US 7th Fleet, to the Philippines to participate in the annual bilateral military exercise, the US Embassy in Manila said here today.

The ship is to arrive in Manila on Tuesday and then have a brief stop in Subic before taking part in the Philippine-US Balikatan exercises.

During Balikatan exercise, which takes place on the island of Luzon from April 5 to 17, the Tortuga will support Philippine and US troops'joint training for humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenarios, the embassy report said.

USS Tortuga (LSD-46) is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and is currently on deployment in the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Earlier, the Philippine military said that six other countries - Australia, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand - will take part in this year's Balikatan joint military exercise. They will participate in the Multinational Maritime Security Roundtable Discussion, but will not take part in the actual field training exercises which will be limited to Filipino and US forces alone.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2...mphibious-landing-ship-phl-us-annual-exercise

 

[Malaya]

Philippines participates in 10th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting in Brunei Darussalam

MANILA, April 1 -- The 10th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting (10th ACDFIM), 10th ASEAN Military Intelligence Informal Meeting (10th AMIIM) and 3rd ASEAN Military Operations Informal Meeting (3rd AMOIM) were held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from March 19 to 20.

Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), attended the 10th ACDFIM along with his counterparts from other ASEAN member states, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Carrying the theme "Securing Our People, Our Future Together", the 10th ACDFIM affirmed the vital role played by ASEAN militaries in helping establish a more stable and secure Southeast Asian region.

The meeting discussed a number of important security issues encompassing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, counter-terrorism, maritime security as well as mine clearance operations. These were among the important regional agenda items where the ASEAN militaries have agreed to continue to work together through information-sharing, capacity building, joint training as well as joint exercises.

Among the important activities agreed upon during the meeting include:The first ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise (ADMM-Plus HADR and MM Ex) to be held in Brunei Darussalam in June 2013; The first ADMM-Plus Counter-Terrorism Exercise to be held in Indonesia (co-hosted by Indonesia-US) in September 2013; The first ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Exercise to be held in Australia (co-hosted by Malaysia-Australia) in September to October 2013; and The first ADMM-Plus Peacekeeping Operations Table Exercise to be held in the Philippines (co-hosted by Philippines-New Zealand) in the 4th quarter of 2013.

The ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces were later granted an audience by His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan at the Istana Nurul Iman on March 20.

After the official closing of the 10th ACDFIM, the chairmanship of the next ACDFIM was handed to Myanmar which will host the 11th ACDFIM in 2014. (DFA)

PIA | Philippine Information Agency | Philippines participates in 10th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting in Brunei Darussalam


PSEi march to 7,000 stalled
By Neil Jerome C. Morales (The Philippine Star) | Updated April 2, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The buying frenzy over the country’s landmark investment grade rating lifted the bellwether stock index past the 6,900 level for the first time yesterday, before jitters over tensions in the Korean peninsula kicked in.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) slipped 0.12 percent or 7.88 points to 6,839.59, succumbing to selling pressures in the afternoon. It posted a new intraday high at 6,956.92 in the morning session, which eclipsed the previous record of 6,873.89 on March 27.

“I think towards the afternoon, there were already jitters due to Korea,” Astro C. del Castillo, managing director of First Grade Finance Inc., said in a phone interview.

Del Castillo said the selloff that reversed the gains in the early session resulted from the tensions between North and South Korea.

Asian stocks were also in the red yesterday on slow trading due to the Easter holidays.

Del Castillo said some investors were still on vacation following the Lenten season holidays.

In the local market, the broader All Shares index barely rose 0.06 percent or 2.59 points to 4,236.90.

Most sub-indices were in the red, led by mining and oil firms that dropped 1.85 percent or 397.41 points to 21,106.93 but holding firms (up 1.30 percent or 77.52 points) and financial companies (up 0.01 percent or 0.20 point) bucked the trend.

A total of P21.74 billion shares changed hands, way above the P12.92 billion on Wednesday.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2013/04/02/925812/psei-march-7000-stalled


Pinoy group: Situation in South Korea 'calm, normal'
April 1, 2013

A group of Filipino scholars based in Seoul on Monday said there is no need to worry about them since the situation in South Korea remains "calm" and "normal" despite North Korea's declaration of a "state of war."

"We just want to assure anyone especially our families tsaka 'yung friends namin diyan that things remain calm and normal here in Korea, so business as usual po tayo," Eva Marie Wang, president of the Pinoy Iskolars in Korea (PIKO), said in an interview on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali."

PIKO is an official student organization recognized by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

In the phone interview, Wang said people in South Korea don't seem to be affected by the possibility of a war with North Korea, as they continue going to work and school as if there is no threat of danger.

"Actually ngayon po ako nga nagsusulat pa ako ng critical paper para sa klase ko so business as usual po tayo. I think mas kami [Filipinos] 'yung nag-aalangan than the Koreans," she said.

Wang, however, said that the Philippine Embassy has advised them to follow the news and to remain in contact with them.

"The Philippine Embassy is in touch with different Filipino communities here in Korea and we're waiting for instructions as the need arises so we can relay the information to our respective communities," Wang said.

"As of now wala pang movement but I think the Philippine Embassy is actually thinking of the plan na evacuation but there's no specific pa na instruction so we're still waiting for instructions as of now," she added.

She said that there are 450 Filipino students in South Korea while there are around 80,000 Filipinos overall in the country.

On Saturday, North Korea declared it was in a "state of war" against South Korea and warned that any provocation would swiftly escalate into an all-out nuclear conflict.

President Benigno Aquino III has already ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to coordinate closely with Filipinos in Korea amid the escalating tension.

On Monday, South Korea said it will strike back if North Korea attacks its territory. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News

Pinoy group: Situation in South Korea 'calm, normal' | Pinoy Abroad | GMA News Online

 

[Malaya]

DFA chief: PHL investing in defense 'at levels never before seen' amid row with China

The Philippines is investing in defense "at levels never before seen" amid "excessive and exaggerated maritime and territorial claims," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Friday.

Speaking at the opening ceremonies of the 29th Philippines-United States Balikatan Exercises at Camp Aquinaldo, Del Rosario said this year's Balikatan "comes at a crucial time for my country and my region,” noting “excessive and exaggerated maritime and territorial claims have not only created uncertainty, but have undermined the rule of law.”

“Regional peace and stability had been placed at serious risk," he said.

Del Rosario later told reporters he was referring specifically to China, which claims most of the South China Sea, including waters and tiny rock outcrops near the coasts of smaller neighbors such as the Philippines. Tensions have escalated in recent years as China has sought to stamp its authority over the region.

"For my country we need to secure our borders and protect our territorial integrity more vigorously than we have before. Balikatan with its complex and comprehensive set of exercises is an important contribution in not only preparing both our armed forces to work together, but also in building my country’s own capacity to defend itself," Del Rosario added.

This year's Balikatan exercises, considered as the biggest combined military exercises between the Philippine military and the US Pacific Command, will run until April 17.

"The Philippines is investing in its own defense at levels never before seen, but we understand clearly that we can increase the value of these investments through joint training and other agreed activities with our allies," Del Rosario said.

In December, President Benigno Aquino III signed the new Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act, which will have an allocation of around P75 billion in its first five years.

The Aquino administration has spent more than P28 billion for the AFP modernization program, compared to around P33 billion spent for the same purpose 15 years before his term.

AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said Philippine-US relations and their "rich history of friendship" have helped their respective forces in addressing various threats.

"Today I must say that our partnership has helped in enabling both armed forces to become more responsive, agile, flexible, and capable to address emerging contingencies and threats," he said.

"This year’s (Balikatan) is a product of deliberate planning and preparation consistent with the imperative for capability development in the context of dynamic and evolving challenges in the region," Bautista continued.

Around 8,000 Filipino and American soldiers are set to participate in this year's exercises, which will involve military training as well as training in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. — KBK, GMA News

DFA chief: PHL investing in defense 'at levels never before seen' amid row with China | News | GMA News Online



DFA chief: As part of alliance, PHL to help US if North Korea attacks it

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday said the Philippines is obliged to help its ally, the United States, if North Korea attacks it.

Speaking in an ambush interview Friday with reporters after the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Philippine-US Balikatan Exercises, Del Rosario said there is widespread concern about the recent statements of North Korea, which threatened to wage war against the US and South Korea.

"I think as treaty allies, if there is an attack, we should help one another, which is what the treaty alliance is all about," he said.

North Korea, after coming under international sanctions for its nuclear test, announced on Saturday that it was entering a "state of war" with South Korea.

Reuters reported that US forces have previously used military bases and civilian airports in the Philippines to repair and refuel aircraft and warships deployed in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The US has ships in Subic, the former home of the U.S. 7th Fleet, and aircraft at the nearby Clark airfield, another former U.S. base on the main island of Luzon.

Manila signed a Mutual Defence Treaty with Washington in 1951, one of the key links in the chain of security alliances the United States has with Asia-Pacific states, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Australia.

Del Rosario also noted that "we are all concerned about the actions of North Korea," and that the Philippines has its own contigency plans regarding the ongoing issue, though he did not specify what these are.

The secretary is also set to fly to South Korea during the weekend to check on developments that are set on ensuring the safety of an estimated 43,000 Filipinos there amid the ongoing tension in the Korean Peninsula.

The Philippines has called for "sobriety among all stakeholders and for the easing of tensions in the region."

Before the ambush interview, del Rosario gave a speech during the opening ceremonies of the Balikatan Exercises, where he mentioned that the Philippines is investing in defense "at levels never before seen."

This year's exercises, considered as the biggest combined military activities between the Philippine military and the US Pacific Command, will run until April 17.

Around 8,000 Filipino and American soldiers are set to participate in this year's exercises, which will involve military training as well as training in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. - VVP, GMA News

DFA chief: As part of alliance, PHL to help US if North Korea attacks it | News | GMA News Online

 

[Malaya]

PH-Indonesia RORO trips to start mid-2013

MANILA -- A Philippine roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessel will start its service to Indonesia in the middle of the year, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

The project, a first between two members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is expected to improve trade, tourism and connectivity between the Philippines and Indonesia, PCCI said in a statement. This is also said to be the country's first RORO service to an ASEAN country.

RORO vessels are designed to carry cars, trucks and other wheeled vehicles that are driven on and off the ship.

PCCI, quoting from a study by Research Education and Institutional Development Foundation, noted exports of North Sulawesi, Indonesia to the Philippines in 2010 amounted to $6.84 million. Imports of Indonesia from the Philippines, meanwhile, summed up to $147.93 million in the same year.

The RORO service will utilize the Davao-GenSan to Bitung route and is foreseen to be in line with regional integration efforts under the ASEAN Economic Community 2015.

The project was pursued after a memorandum of cooperation between the Davao City and Manado (Indonesia) chambers of commerce and industry was signed during the Davao Investment Forum in November last year.

PH-Indonesia RORO trips to start mid-2013 | ABS-CBN News

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

After US ship, Chinese vessel hits Philippine reef
The Associated Press, Manila, Philippines | World | Tue, April 09 2013, 2:51 PM

Philippine officials say a suspected Chinese fishing vessel with 12 crewmen has run aground in a protected coral reef, where a U.S. Navy minesweeper got stuck recently.

Coast Guard Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista says the vessel strayed into the Tubbataha National Marine Park in the Sulu Sea and struck an atoll late Monday. It was still unclear why the vessel strayed into the no-sail area.

Park superintendent Angelique Songco said Tuesday that the 12 crewmen were taken into custody for investigation.

The USS Guardian ran aground in another Tubbataha atoll on Jan. 17 and was removed March 30.

Washington has been asked to pay $1.5 million for the 2,345 square meters (2,800 square yards) of coral reef damaged by the Guardian in Tubbataha, a World Heritage site.

again? The place is a deathtrap.

 

[Zero_wing]

After US ship, Chinese vessel hits Philippine reef
The Associated Press, Manila, Philippines | World | Tue, April 09 2013, 2:51 PM

Philippine officials say a suspected Chinese fishing vessel with 12 crewmen has run aground in a protected coral reef, where a U.S. Navy minesweeper got stuck recently.

Coast Guard Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista says the vessel strayed into the Tubbataha National Marine Park in the Sulu Sea and struck an atoll late Monday. It was still unclear why the vessel strayed into the no-sail area.

Park superintendent Angelique Songco said Tuesday that the 12 crewmen were taken into custody for investigation.

The USS Guardian ran aground in another Tubbataha atoll on Jan. 17 and was removed March 30.

Washington has been asked to pay $1.5 million for the 2,345 square meters (2,800 square yards) of coral reef damaged by the Guardian in Tubbataha, a World Heritage site.

again? The place is a deathtrap.

Good so we can arrest this arrogant jerks

 

[p3avi8tor69]

What a lousy navy. Filipinos cannot police their own backyard. Maybe Aquino should just send all Pinoy sailors to Dubai and sing in bars. No point in having a Navy.

 

[Fsjal]

What a lousy navy. Filipinos cannot police their own backyard. Maybe Aquino should just send all Pinoy sailors to Dubai and sing in bars. No point in having a Navy.

It's because of corruption. Even during the 80's and 90's we did not have any missile armed boats. Maybe in 20-30 years we might have an effective navy

 

[Bob Ong]

After US ship, Chinese vessel hits Philippine reef
The Associated Press, Manila, Philippines | World | Tue, April 09 2013, 2:51 PM

Philippine officials say a suspected Chinese fishing vessel with 12 crewmen has run aground in a protected coral reef, where a U.S. Navy minesweeper got stuck recently.

Coast Guard Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista says the vessel strayed into the Tubbataha National Marine Park in the Sulu Sea and struck an atoll late Monday. It was still unclear why the vessel strayed into the no-sail area.

Park superintendent Angelique Songco said Tuesday that the 12 crewmen were taken into custody for investigation.

The USS Guardian ran aground in another Tubbataha atoll on Jan. 17 and was removed March 30.

Washington has been asked to pay $1.5 million for the 2,345 square meters (2,800 square yards) of coral reef damaged by the Guardian in Tubbataha, a World Heritage site.

again? The place is a deathtrap.

It seems these Chinese poachers are looking for all possible option to get through Philippine waters to steal marine resources. They don'f fear being caught because they are supported by their government.

 

[Bob Ong]

What a lousy navy. Filipinos cannot police their own backyard. Maybe Aquino should just send all Pinoy sailors to Dubai and sing in bars. No point in having a Navy.

That's only a proof that Philippine maritime security is very weak.

The Philippines has 7,100+ islands. These poachers will go on intruding Philippine territory because they know the Philippines has no capability to patrol the seas.

The Philippines is naked and very vulnerable to any foreign intrusion.