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The Philippine military-oriented social media groups, from Facebook to Timawa.net are buzzing with talk about raising funds to help the AFP Modernization program. The Department of National Defense is reportedly even investigating a suspected scam involving individuals who are supposedly raising funds for the acquisition of equipment from concerned, but naive, Filipino nationals. But the sad reality is . . . there is no need for such efforts.
Turn the clock back a decade ago, then funding concerns were legitimate. The 1997 financial crisis was followed by political uncertainty that led to the ouster of a President by a text- message-revolution. This was followed by sweeping reforms in government procurement that left the AFP dazed and confused . . . so much so that it didn’t buy anything till 2003. Almost a decade after the AFP Modernization Law went into effect.
Today, in the 2nd decade of the century, the funding uncertainty and procedural confusion are things of the past. A long line of DND personnel (both in the current administration AND before), in cooperation with other government agencies (e.g. GPPB, etc.) have cut swaths of clarity through the tangled web of red tape. There is now enough knowledge to allow the application of the nation’s treasury to the cause of national defense. Consider the following:
- Procedural impediments to effiicient use of the AFPMTF have been addressed. Modernization funds leftover for the year, and funds derived from authorized income, can now be accessed with less difficulty than in years past
- Proper access to Petro-pesos, both present and future, have been worked out. Malampaya funding has already been leveraged to acquire one ship for the Philippine Navy, and more acquisitions are lined up
- Challenges with the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003 have been dealt with, particularly the cumbersome bidding process which often yield the cheapest equipment rather than the best
- Procedures for Multi-Year Obligation Authority (MYOA) were finally worked in the closing months of the previous administration. Acquisitions are no longer limit to the Annual modernization budget. Funds can be sourced from several annual budgets
- The DND is now in the process of professionalizing the procurement process with the creation of the Office of Defense Acquisition
EVERYTHING has been worked out . . .
. . . except for the political intestinal fortitude to stay the course. As a modernization-minded AFP officer once said “Mindsets are the hardest things to modernize”.
Interaksyon, the news portal of TV5, reports that when the USCGC Dallas will be turned over to the Philippine Navy, it will be renamed the BRP Ramon Alcaraz. The following is an excerpt of the relevant article.
06-May-12, 1:54 PM | Chichi Conde, InterAksyon.co
CORREGIDOR — President Benigno Aquino III said the country’s second warship will be named after World War II hero Commodore Ramon Alcaraz.
During the 70th commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor on Sunday, Aquino said the best tribute that the country can offer to fallen heroes like Alcaraz is to build a nation capable of protecting itself.
The second Hamilton-class Cutter from the United States Coast Guard is scheduled to arrive in the country within the month.
Alcaraz, during World War II, commanded one of the country’s three motor torpedo boats, known as Q-boats.
His Q-112 took down three of the nine Japanese “Zero” fighters before he was captured.
In captivity, Alcaraz headed the prisoner of war camp in Malolos to take care of his fellow POWs.
< Edited >
The following is an excerpt of President Aquino’s speech, where he announced the name of the incoming WHEC:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/department-of-national-defense-philippines/pres-benigno-s-aquino-iiis-speech-during-the-commemoration-of-the-70th-year-sinc/382275861811487
< Edited >
As I was reviewing the names of our naval heroes, looking for a proper name for our second Hamilton Class Cutter, I read of a man named Ramon Alcaraz, who was commanding one of our three motor torpedo boats, known as Q-boats. Q-112 Abra, manned by Alcaraz and his crew, took down three of the nine Japanese “Zero” fighters attacking his boat, before being captured. In captivity, Alcaraz became head of the Prisoner of War camp in Malolos, making sure that his fellow POWs were kept hopeful and alive.
Commodore Alcaraz was only one among many skilled men in uniform who have served our country. Many continue to follow in his footsteps; and we are determined to reward their patriotism with equal dedication. For certain, many more Commodore Alcarazes will rise from the ranks of our military. We consider it our duty to ensure that their strength of spirit will be matched by boats, by weapons, and by sufficient training. This is the truest tribute we can offer to those who have laid down their lives: a nation capable of protecting itself; a nation that can say no sacrifice will be wasted.
< Edited >
See the following Timawa.net thread for a discussion about the passing of Admiral Alcaraz: Commanding Officer of Q-112 Abra passes on
Details about the Mosquito Fleet Q-boats can be found on the following Timawa.net discussion: Q-boat reference materials project
The Timawa.net forum strives to be a focused, disciplined, heavily moderated discussion venue. This approach has its pros and cons, and the forum has its share of detractors for the periodic draconian measures taken to preserve the tone of discussion.
To create a middle ground of sorts, and to help promote the forum, a number of forum-extensions have been created on Facebook. These groups focus on specific Timawa.net discussion points and are packed with links to relevant discussions on the forum. These still have the same laser-like topic-focus of the forum, but have more wiggle room for basic, catching-up, discussion.
These groups are listed here:
| C-130s in the Philippine Air Force |
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A look at the history and the current state of the Lockheed Martin C-130 in PAF service. This presents the C-130 as an indicator of how far the PAF has progressed in its efforts to improve its maintenance record |
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| F-16s for the Philippine Air Force |
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A running account of the PAF’s long-standing efforts to acquire Multi-Role Fighters in general, and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons in particular. The discussions in this group are anchored on the latest effort that stemmed from President Benigno Aquino III’s challenge to the PAF to acquire these aircraft within his term of office. |
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| W-3A Sokol (Falcon) in the Philippine Air Force |
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A running account of the latest intermediate lift helicopter in the Philippine Air Force, the Swidnik (AgustaWestland) W-3A |
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| Philippine Defense Budget |
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A look at how the Republic of the Philippines spends on its own defense |
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| Self-Reliant Defense Posture |
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A collection of discussions about how to mobilize the Philippine manufacturing sector to create an indigenous defense industry |
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| Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) Development Forum |
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A look at peaceful development of the KIG. Martial discussions are left at the door. This group talks about how the Philippines can develop the territory and make it self-sustaining . . . so that it doesn’t remain a budget suck |
See USPPG.org for details
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The following report by the Philippine Information Agency chronicles the state of the Stand Off as of May 2, 2012. For background on the current crisis, see the following discussion on Timawa.net: BRP Gregorio del Pilar engages Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal.
Chinese sea vessels remain in Panatag shoal says NOLCOM
CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City, May 2 (PIA) — Chinese sea vessels remain in the disputed Panatag shoal, also known as Scarborough shoal, the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) confirmed today.
Based on the monitoring of MCS 3008 and SARV-002/Saragani of the Philippine Coast Guard, seven fishing vessels and three fishing boats of China were still spotted in the territory, which is only 135 nautical miles away from Palauig and Masinloc towns of Zambales as of 8:00 p.m. on May 1.China marine surveillance vessel (CMS) 71 is located at latitude 15 degrees, 30.040 mins. north; longitude 117 degrees, 50.906 mins. east; or 13.6 nautical miles from SARV-002. Meanwhile, CMS 75 is located at latitude 15 degrees, 06.241 mins. north; longitude 117 degrees, 52.243 mins, or 3.3 nautical miles from SARTV-002.On the other hand, CMS 81 is located at latitude 15 degrees 16.275 mins. north, longitude 118 degrees, 01.146 mins. east, or at 11.9 nautical miles from SARV -002.Moreover, China’s FLEC 310 is located at latitude 15 degrees 02.58 mins. north, longitude 117 degrees 53.156 mins east, or at 8.3 nautical miles from SARV 002.
The Philippine government maintain its claim that Panatag is inside the Exclusive Economic Zone, a provision stipulated in the United Nations Continental Shelf, in favor to the Philippines. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)
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The US cannot declare war in response to its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines without Congressional approval. Such approval will understandably take time. The Philippines’ hope, therefore, lies with the man in the Oval Office — the President of the United States (POTUS) — who has the power to commit US forces to combat for a maximum of 90 days in accordance with the US War Powers Act.
For as long as POTUS is sympathetic to our cause, then the Philippines can benefit from US protection. For this reason, it is ABSOLUTELY critical that the Philippine not be perceived has having provoked the red dragon.
For the text of the US War Powers Act of 1973, see the following Timawa.net discussion: http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=26845.0
Last year, Timawa.net and other fora, were eagerly awaiting the reported arrival of an additional C-130H c/o an ex-Tunisian AF Herc that had suffered a runway mishap but had been refurbished by Derco Aerospace. The Timawa discussion for this project can be found here.
The wait was apparently for nothing. As per the latest DND Performance Monitoring Report, this deal had actually been cancelled.
| August 26, 2010 |
Pre-procurement conference |
Approved budget for contract (ABC): P1,769,000,000.00 |
| August 31, 2010 |
Posting/Publication of ITB |
Publication of ITB at PDI and posting at G-EPS and DND Websites
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| September 10, 2010 |
Pre-bid conference |
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| October 11, 2010 |
Bid opening |
Only one bidder, Derco Aerospace Inc. submitted its bid |
| October 11, 2010 |
DND BAC Resolution No. AFPMP-PAF-C130H-10-001 |
Resolution declaring DERCO Aerospace Inc., as the Single Calculated Bidder for the project and directing the conduct of post qualification |
| November 11-12 & 15-17, 2010 |
Post qualification |
Post qualification teams were sent to the following locations:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Milwaukee, USA |
| December 1, 2010 |
DND BAC Resolution No. AFPMP-PAF-C130H-10-002 |
Resolution declaring Derco Aerospace Inc as the SCRB for the project and the issuance of a NOA in its favor |
| December 8, 2010 |
Issuance of Notice of Award in favor of Derco Aerospace Inc |
Approved/signed by SND |
| March 17, 2011 |
DND BAC Resolution No. AFPMP-PAF-C-130H-11-001 |
Resolution declaring the bidding for the Upgraded C-130H Acquisition project of the PAF a failure after the winning bidder failed to post performance security |
| June 8, 2011 |
Declaration of failure of bidding |
Approved/signed by SND |
The following is a record of Lockheed C-130 Hercules and L-100-20 (civilian version of the C-130) that are currently in the Philippine Air Force. Most are inactive, and are simply rotting away — exposed to the elements — at the C-130 graveyard in Mactan, Cebu. A small fraction are operational. As per Manokski’s C-130 page, a total of 19 C-130s had entered PAF service since 1973. This inventory, however, only represents the aircraft that were in the PAF’s possession (active or otherwise) at the turn of the century.
The basic structure of the data below is derived from an exhaustive list of C-130s from around the world prepared by Bob Daley in 01 May 2006 (see here). This format has been expanded to suit this site’s purposes.
Photographs in the photo album were complied for the following Facebook page: C-130s in the Philippine Air Force
| Lockheed # |
Original registration |
Original model |
Final model |
Current # |
Photo album |
Note |
| 3520 |
58-0725 |
C-130B |
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0725 |
See here |
Previously assigned to the USAF 53rd WRS. Sold to the PAF in 1995, retired in 1997. Ref |
| 3535 |
58-0738 |
C-130B |
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0738 |
See here |
Previously assigned to USAF Reserve 731st Tactical Airlift Squadron. Ref |
| 3545 |
58-0747 |
C-130B |
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3545 |
See here |
Previously assigned to the USAF 54th WRS in Guam. Ref
Transferred to AMARC in 29APR 1992. (AACF0107) Transferred to the PAF in 09 Oct 1997. Ref |
| 3547 |
58-0749 |
C-130B |
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0749 |
See here |
Previously assigned to the Ohio National Guard and USAF Reserve |
| 3552 |
58-0753 |
C-130B |
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3552 |
See here |
Transferred to AMARC in 19 Aug 1992 (AACF0112). Transferred to PAF in 29 Sep 1997 Ref |
| 3593 |
60-0294 |
C-130B |
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0294 |
See here |
Previously assigned to the USAF Reserve |
| 3633 |
61-0954 |
C-130B |
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3633 |
See here |
Active. Undergoing Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) |
| 3646 |
61-0961 |
C-130B |
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0961 |
See here |
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| 3946 |
N1130E |
L100 |
L100-20 |
3946 |
See here |
Civilian version of the military C-130. This was the original Lockheed demonstrator for the L100 |
| 4512 |
N7967S |
L100-20 |
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4512 |
See here |
Civilian version of the military C-130 |
| 4593 |
RP-C101 |
L100-20 |
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4593 |
See here |
Acquired in 1983, and started Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) at the Clark Economic Zone done by Asian Aerospace Corporation in February 2004. Crashed into Davao Gulf 25 August 2008 |
| 4704 |
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C-130H |
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4704 |
See here |
Active. Undergoing Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) |
| 4726 |
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C-130H |
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4726 |
See here |
Active. Subjected to PDM at Clark Field by Lockheed Martin / Asian Aerospace. Maintenance cycle completed in June 2009. Ref |
The following article is the rationale for the following Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/180853572015613/
The Lockheed (not Lockheed-Martin) C-130 Hercules transport aircraft is the largest airlift asset in the Philippine Air Force (PAF). It is the Philippine government’s most capable means of moving personnel and material for everything from combat deployments to disaster response. It provides the “timely” in “timely response”, therefore it is in the public’s interest that they be properly funded, operated, and maintained.
These aircraft, however, have proven to be problematic to operate in significant numbers. The loss of foreign aid as a result of expulsion of the US bases in the early 90’s has had a detrimental effect on the PAF’s budgetary condition as a whole with a corresponding impact on the Hercules fleet. For extended periods in recent post-Clark/Subic history the PAF’s tactical lift capabilities, particularly those of the 220th Airlift Wing, have hinged on solitary C-130s. This is an unacceptable state of affairs.
If the PAF, particularly the 220th Airlift Wing, is to expect the long term political and fiscal support it needs to operate these aircraft sufficient numbers, it must make its case to the Filipino voters. It must effectively articulate its needs, and inspire the people’s trust and confidence.
That trust must be earned. If the PAF is to be entrusted with the billions of pesos it needs to fulfill its mandate – money that must be taken away from roads, schools, health care programs to serve the competing BUT EQUALLY IMPORTANT defense needs of the Republic – it must be able to show the Filipino taxpayer that it is a responsible steward of those funds.
This page was created to help foster that trust through frank, unvarnished, discussion about the following:
- Facts about this category of aircraft and the challenges in keeping them operational
- Accounts of existing problems surrounding these aircraft
- Solutions . . . solutions . . . solutions
The underlying belief behind this page is that there remain honorable, competent, personnel within the Armed Forces of the Philippines that seek do to what is right. They need our help.
The Bids and Awards Committee of the Department of National Defense issued an Invitation to Bid for a force protection equipment valued at P174M. The opening of bids is scheduled on the 6th of February. Details of the bid appear below.
The United States Department of State issued a press release about the recently concluded US-PH Strategic Dialogue that included the following notation about the transfer of the USCGC Dallas to the Philippines:
Toward a Deeper Alliance: United States-Philippines Bilateral Cooperation
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 27, 2012
< Edited >
Defense and Security Cooperation
< Edited >
The United States transferred the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Hamilton, now the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, to the Philippine Navy, supporting Philippine maritime domain awareness. The transfer of a second cutter is pending U.S. Congressional review;
< Edited >
All transfers of defense technology, or any other export of items with military uses, are subject to congressional oversight. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) documentation describes this control as follows:
All sales of defense articles and services are subject to similar technology release approvals, end-use monitoring and retransfer agreements, and congressional review and approval.
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