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BrahMos Aerospace Officials Visit Philippine Marines

BrahMos Aerospace officials, led by its CEO and Managing Director Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra, met with Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) officials, led by its commandant Major General Ariel R. Caculitan on January 29.he BrahMos Aerospace officials were joined by Ms. Manisha Swami, First Secretary (Political) of the Embassy of India in Manila.

“The official visit aimed to further strengthen the relationship between the BrahMos Aerospace and PMC, particularly with the newly activated PMC Coastal Defense Regiment,” the Philippine Marines said.

The Marines noted that Brahmos Aerospace is the proponent of the Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System (SBASMS) for the PMC Coastal Defense “designed to protect our shores, ships, and amphibious task forces against an invading enemy and to improve our littoral capabilities in support of our naval operations.”

Major General Caculitan highlighted during the meeting that coastal defense is one of the major capabilities that the Marines are focusing on as an integral part of the Philippine Navy’s Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy.

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Do you agree with this senate decission?
Senate OKs Resolution To Ratify Treaty Banning Use Of Nuclear Weapons

The Senate today adopted a resolution expressing its concurrence to the ratification of a treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW). Proposed Senate Resolution 620, introduced and sponsored by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, was unanimously adopted with 23 votes. The resolution was co-sponsored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and all other senators.

“The Treaty further reinforces commitments against the use, threat of use, development, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, transfer, stationing, or installation of nuclear weapons,” Pimentel, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, said.

He said highlights of the treaty include the prohibition to:

Develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices;
Transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or control over such weapons or explosive devices directly or indirectly;
Receive the transfer of or control over nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices directly or indirectly;
Use or threaten to use nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices;
Assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Treaty;
Seek or receive any assistance, in any way, from anyone to engage in any activity prohibited under this Treaty; and
Allow any stationing, installation or deployment of any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in its territory or at any place under its jurisdiction or control.
According to Pimentel, the treaty is the “first globally applicable multilateral agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons on the basis of international humanitarian law.”

He said, the Philippines is among the first states to sign the treaty, along with other 52 countries. As a signatory to the treaty, he said the Philippines has much to gain, including the TPNW’s provisions on victim assistance and environmental remediation.

He cited an environmental research that warned of a global climate cooling capable of adversely affecting food production for years even with a “limited regional nuclear war.”

The same research warned that a large-scale nuclear war could “create ice-age like conditions that might eliminate most of the human race.”

“Nuclear weapons do not discriminate. We cannot afford another nuclear arms race. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in Japan are horrors that should never be repeated,” Pimentel stressed.

For her part, Hontiveros said nuclear weapons have “humanitarian and environmental consequences that span decades and cross generations.”

“The TPNW is groundbreaking and a step in the direction of creating an international norm of conduct. With 86 nations signing it and 52 so far ratifying it – perhaps we will be the 53rd – the collective voice of humanity is clear: nuclear weapons should be banned forever, as we have banned landmines and biological and chemical weapons,” she said. SENATE.GOV.PH

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LGU, Military Prevent Establishment Of New MNLF Camp In Tawi-Tawi
The local government of Tawi-Tawi, in coordination with the WestMinCom’s Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, successfully settled an emerging security concern in the province on January 28, 2021.'
This came after the reported establishment of a camp by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Barangay Lakit-Lakit, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi sometime in 2018.

The said camp which is accessible by boat has become a serious security concern for the people of Bongao due to the continuous construction of perimeter houses and the reported presence of people not from the province of Tawi-Tawi.

“The setting up of a camp by the MNLF caused alarm to the residents. This prompted the local government to coordinate with the military in Tawi-Tawi to conduct a dialogue with the local MNLF officials for the camp to be dismantled,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“This is a clear violation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the MNLF hence series of dialogues were conducted by the LGU Tawi-Tawi and the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi with the local MNLF for the dismantling of the said structure,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added.

The local government and the military, through the 2nd Marine Brigade/Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, exhausted all diplomatic means to compel the group to peacefully dismantle and vacate their unauthorized encampment.

“We disallow the establishment of camps except those by legitimate security forces like the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police here in Tawi-Tawi,” said Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali.

“We have observed that the compliance was slow thus on January 27, 2021, we conducted another dialogue to compel the MNLF leadership to dismantle the camp immediately,” Governor Sali added.

On January 28, the MNLF peacefully dismantled the camp and this was witnessed by the local government officials and the military officers led by Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, Commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi.

“We will establish a temporary marine post in the area to ensure the safety and security of the people,” said Brig. Gen. Rojas.

“Diplomacy has prevailed in the name of peace, cooperation, understanding, and strong relationships and this is attributable to the good convergence among the local chief executives, other stakeholders, and the security sector,” Brig. Gen. Rojas added. PNA.GOV.PH

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3 More Choppers Added To PNP Fleet

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired three more multi-role police helicopters for law enforcement and public safety operations.PNP Chief, Police General Debold M Sinas said the PNP Special Action Force-Air Unit has formally accepted delivery of three brand new H-125 Airbus single engine turbine helicopters from Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia PTE LTD on Friday, January 29, 2021 at the Manila Domestic Airport in Pasay City.

“These new air assets will further boost our operational capability in support of the anti-insurgency and anti-terrorism campaign,” Sinas said.

This latest acquisition of police helicopters was procured through funds from the General Appropriations Act 2019.

The new police helicopters with registry numbers RP-2420, RP-6088, and RP-9710 are now at the PNP-SAF Air Unit hangar at the Manila Domestic Airport, he said.

According to the Chief PNP, the PNP fleet now has seven H-125 Airbus, two R-22 Robinson police helicopters and a fixed-wing trainer aircraft, all stationed in Metro Manila.

The PNP is eyeing the deployment of two helicopters each in Central Visayas and Southern Mindanao, and one in Northern Luzon, Sinas said.

The PNP has included an air-ambulance to its shopping list of programmed procurements. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

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PHL To Safeguard Sovereignty Amid Geopolitical Issues: Lorenzana

The Philippines will continue to maintain its independent foreign policy to protect its sovereignty and national interest amid geopolitical issues, the country’s defense chief said on Friday.

“We will continue to uphold our independent foreign policy to safeguard our sovereignty and national interest. We will maintain and enhance our existing alliance while exploring potential partnership, all for the advancement of our country and the welfare of our people,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a virtual conference organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).

Lorenzana also maintained that the long-standing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China will continue to test the Philippines’ adeptness in balancing its relationship between the two nations.

“It is necessary for us to continuously engage with China not only for existing cooperation in various areas but also for the peaceful resolution of our competing claims in the South China Sea,” he added.

Lorenzana said the Philippines must remain mindful of the role of the US “as the stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific Region and a counterbalance to China.”

He also noted that maintaining a stable international rules-based order is in the best interest of all.

Lorenzana also hoped that Manila would benefit from Washington DC’s “pivot to Asia strategy” under the administration of President Joe Biden.

“Thus, we welcome with great optimism the change of leadership in the US government, hoping that the strong and reliable friendship between the Philippines and the US would flourish ever further,” he added.

He also expressed hope that the appointment of former Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim as an assistant secretary of the US Department of State, who has a deeper understanding of the country, will result in the exercise of prudence and restraint in dealing with other countries’ domestic affairs.

“American leaders must note that the foundation of our alliance is our shared commitment to the preservation of democracy and protection of human rights and that the Philippines has never reneged from such commitment,” he said.

Noting that bilateral relations is a two-way concern, Lorenzana said the Philippines must do its share in fulfilling its comment to the alliance and undertake its role in preserving this decades-old friendship.

“Our country can be a more responsible partner by exerting efforts commensurate to those of the US and its neighbors such as investing in the modernization and capability upgrade of its own Armed Forces and developing its own defense industry. By taking a relatively larger responsibility in the alliance in terms of burden-sharing, the Philippines can generate openness and confidence with the US and its neighbors,” he noted.

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Illegal Chinese Dredger Spotted Off Bataan – PCG

An illegal and unauthorized Chinese dredger type vessel was spotted at vicinity seven nautical miles southwest off Orion Point, Bataan at around 11:00 am on January 27, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in an incident report.
Personnel for PCG Task Force Aduana and Bureau of Customs (BOC) were on patrol aboard BRP Panglao (FPB-2402) when the Chinese dredger was spotted.

“Upon boarding, the joint operatives discovered the automatic identification system (AIS) transponder of said vessel was turned off and its two Cambodian crewmembers aboard failed to present proper documents,” the PCG said.

“The BOC verified that said vessel was granted departure clearance by the Customs office in Aparri, Cagayan more than a year ago. Hence, its presence at said vicinity is illegal and unauthorized. The BOC is set to issue corresponding warrant of seizure and detention against subject vessel, the PCG added.

It can be recalled that on September 10, 2020, the PCG and BOC joined hands in enhancing cooperation on border control, anti-smuggling, and other customs fraud through the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the joint manning and operation of 20 newly-procured fast patrol boats of the BOC.

“PCG Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr and BOC Commissioner, Rey Leonardo B Guerrero agreed to work together for the performance of its shared mandate on border protection to uphold security, peace, and order within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines,” PCG said.

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US Rejects China’s Excessive Maritime Claims – US State Secretary

The United States rejects China’s excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea, new US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said in a phone conversation with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on January 27.

The newly confirmed US Secretary “underscored that the United States rejects China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea to the extent they exceed the maritime zones that China is permitted to claim under international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention,” the US Stated Department said.

“Secretary Blinken pledged to stand with Southeast Asian claimants in the face of PRC pressure,” it added.

Blinken and Locsin also committed to continue building upon a relationship founded on shared strategic interests and history, democratic values, and strong people-to-people ties.

“Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of the Mutual Defense Treaty for the security of both nations, and its clear application to armed attacks against the Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea,” the US department said.

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Military Investigates Alleged Blocking Incident In Pag-Asa Island

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM) said that it has initiated investigation on the reported blocking incident in Pag-asa Island involving a local fisherman and a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel.

“According to information received from a local media reporter and news that came out at Gma7 and Abs-Cbn on Tuesday, a certain Mr. Larry Hugo, was on his way to sandbar 2 to fish when he was trailed, blocked and prevented by Chinese Coast Guard in the early morning of January 25, 2021,” WESCOM said in a statement January 28.

“Mr Larry Hugo narrated his experience via media interview that he was aboard a two-man motorized banca to go on fishing at Sandbar 2 when he noticed a CCG with bow number 5103 steaming and stopped in front of him,” it added.

Moreover, according to Hugo he took video and photos of the incident before he returned to Pag-asa wherein he immediately reported the incident as well as provided a copy of the video to an alleged Navy personnel named “Mata”.

“However, based on the report received from Joint Task Force – West who has operational jurisdiction of the area, there was no reported incident of blocking or harrassment occurred at sandbars. And based on the report through our Monitoring Station’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) at PAG-ASA Island the CCG (5103) vessel along with three (3) Chinese fishing vessel was monitored by to have been lying (stationary) at the vicinity of sandbar 2 since 14 January 2021 until 26 January 2021. The AIS is an accurate tracking system that detects actual location, course, speed and movement of a targetted ship at sea,” the military command said.

“It is also improbable that the Chinese Coast Guard vessel will block him between cay 1 (the alleged origin of Mr Hugo) and cay 2 (his destination) because the water in between the two cays are too shallow for any ship to venture without risking running aground. Good seamanship will dictate that this is not the most likely course of action. Hence, the only possible way for Mr Hugo’s motorboat to come across with CCG 5103 is for Mr Hugo to traverse southwest which is not the most direct and efficient path going to cay 2. If this is what happened, this in turn will imperil his limited fuel given the size of his boat, it is not economical,” WESCOM said. “And based on the roster of AFP Personnel currently stationed at Pag-Asa Island there is no personnel by the name of “MATA” whom Larry Hugo Fisherman reported the incident. Further, a certain “MATA” was found out to be a civilian resident of the said place.”

The military command noted that, under the direction of National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea and in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard, it is doing its best and shall always be committed to ensure that the safety and welfare of our people particularly those living in Pag-Asa Island is being taken cared of.

“Hence, we are encouraging our fishermen to continue fishing not only to manifest our sovereign rights but as well as sustain their livelihood,” WESCOM said.

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Medal Of Valor Awardee Lt. Gen. Sobejana Is Next AFP Chief
Philippine Army commanding general Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, a Medal of Valor awardee, was chosen by President Rodrigo Duterte to be next Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff.

Lieutenant General Sobejana will succeed AFP Chief-of-Staff General Gilbert Gapay who will reach mandatory age of retirement on February 4.

Sobejana’s Medal of Valor citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during an encounter with about 150 Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang members at Sitio Caro, Barangay Lower Kapayawan, Isabela Basilan on 13 January 1995, while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Scout Ranger Company, First Scout Ranger Regiment, Philippine Army.

“When Task Group Panther received reports on the enemy concentration, it immediately dispatched one platoon under CAPTAIN SOBEJANA to check the area. While observing the reported location of enemy presence, he sighted about 20 armed enemies loitering near a cluster of houses. After assessing the situation, he directed his men to attack the enemy position which resulted to an ensuing fierce fire fight. Alerted by the incident, several Abu Sayyaf groups from nearby areas arrived to reinforce their comrades, cutting the troops from the supporting section. As the firefight raged, firepower and numerical superiority of the enemy became apparent as members of the First Scout Ranger Company incurred casualties.”

“After two hours of continuous fire fight, CAPTAIN SOBEJANA was hit in the lower arm as he went for the radio of a fallen soldier. Bravely holding his ground, he sustained a second bullet wound that almost severed his right arm. Still, he controlled all fire directions to best defend their position and repulse the encircling enemy. Though in pain and with a shattered rifle after it was hit by an enemy fire, he never lost composure and continued leading his men. He even maneuvered around, exposing himself to enemy fire to direct the encounter. After almost four hours of intense fighting, reinforcements from the Task Group Panther and the 4th Scout Ranger Company arrived to secure the area and evacuate the wounded. Report placed the enemy casualties at 30 killed and unconfirmed number of wounded.”

According to Philippine Army Lieutenant General Sobejana started his military career in 1983 and graduated as a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang” Class of 1987.

“He is considered as one of the country’s living heroes, being a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military honor bestowed for demonstrating bravery and sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty when he fought Abu Sayyaf terrorists in 1995,” the Army said.

Sobejana commanded different units of the Army most notably the 1st Scout Ranger Company and the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion which where both adjudged as Best Company and Best Battalion, respectively, during his stint.

“He also served as the Commandant of the Scout Ranger Training School, First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR); and as Commander of the Civil-Military Operations Group. He later served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3, PA and then commanded the 601st Infantry Brigade, the Joint Task Force “Sulu”, and the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division,” the Army said.

“In 2013, he was sent in the truce line between Syria and Israel as the first Filipino to become the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force. Prior to his assumption as Army Commanding General, he served as Commander of the Western Mindanao Command since June 2019,” the Army added.

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China Coast Guard Law Can Be Challenged If Used ‘Unlawfully’

The new Chinese law allowing the China Coast Guard to fire on foreign vessels found to be infringing on their sovereignty or jurisdictions can be challenged before the international community if the use of force is found “unlawful”, a Filipino security and Chinese studies expert said Wednesday.

“There is a norm in international law regarding the use of excessive force so if China will use excessive force in the area then we have the right to also file a legal case,” Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies (PACS), said during the virtual Roundtable Wednesday.

While it is China’s “sovereign prerogative” to pass such kind of legislation, he said the law must still adhere to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He added that the Chinese Coast Guard must exercise self-restraint and use force only as a last resort or for defensive purposes.

Former Ambassador and executive director of the Center for Archipelagic and Regional Seas Law and Policy Studies Alberto Encomienda said Manila should also execute similar instructions to its coast guard.

“Reading the newspapers, the Chinese instructs to fire when necessary. So, I really don’t see any problem there. Our own coast guard should have that instruction also,” he said in the same forum.

China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), passed on Jan. 23 a law authorizing the Chinese Coast Guard “to take all necessary measures, including the use of weapons, when national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction are being illegally infringed upon by foreign organizations or individuals at sea.”

Beijing and Manila are locked in a territorial dispute over the Spratlys in the South China Sea, which the former consistently regards as its “inherent territory”.

Among the forces manning the artificial islands there are the Chinese Coast Guard, who at several times had been the subject of complaints for intimidating Filipino fishermen attempting to fish in the region.

Asked what action Manila should take if the Chinese Coast Guard fires from an area it also claims, Banlaoi said: “We can always challenge China legally when that situation occurs. But we need to develop deterrent capability to prevent China from doing so.”

Banlaoi said Manila must match the efforts taken by Beijing and increase the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard’s presence in the area.

“(Ang) prinsipyo sa international politics associated with the maritime dispute, if you cannot patrol your water, you cannot own your water (The principle in international politics associated with the maritime dispute is if you cannot patrol your water, you cannot own your water),” he said in a separate radio interview.

At the same time, he suggested deepening ties with China so that they “will exercise self-restraint in using force against us”.

He added that the soon to be crafted code of conduct on the South China Sea between Beijing and the Asean is “also essential to address that issue”. PNA.GOV.PH

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