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.
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Philippine Defense Today (Adroth.ph)
In Defense of the Republic of the PhilippinesThe most important school in the Republic of the Philippines has been established on the Kalayaan Island Group: The Palawan Elementary School.
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The photo above was taken from an article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which posted the following caption for it:
PAG-ASA CLASS OF 2012 The Philippine flag flies in the breeze as Kalayaan town Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon (center) poses with the teacher, schoolchildren and their parents at the opening of Pag-asa Elementary School on a disputed West Philippine Sea island on June 15. AP/OFFICE OF KALAYAAN MUNICIPAL MAYOR
To establish the school, local residents added walls to an unused multi-purpose hall to create a classroom, and the municipal government hired a teacher that agreed to re-locate her family to the island. It commenced operations on the 15th of June for the benefit of five kindergarten students. The town mayor, Eugenio Bito-onon, is reportedly seeking additional funding to expand the school so that it can offer additional courses of instruction.
The school’s importance not only stems from the fact that it ended a 34-year absence of educational options on the island and thus giving local residents an alternative to sending their children to the mainland, but also because of how it elicited the following response from the People’s Republic of China:
China to PHL: Don’t worsen tension by setting up school on disputed island
Such statements are a normal facet of territorial disputes. Whenever one side of the issue makes a move, the other must file a protest to avoid appearing to accept the move. The proper Philippine response to this countermove, therefore, is to ensure the school’s survival. Otherwise . . . we could be misconstrued as having submitted to their demand.
Never in the history of human conflict has so much of an independent nation’s honor rested on the shoulders of a teacher and her students. It is in the Filipino people’s collective interest that this school succeed.
Developing an Underway Replenishment (UNREP) capability
Monday , 28, May 2012 Uncategorized Leave a commentThe 15-year Philippine Navy development plan, published on several newspapers discussed on the Timawa.net forum here, is noteworthy in that it highlights the navy’s recognition of the need for an Underway Replenishment (UNREP) capability. The list included a requirement for “three Logistics Support/Replenishment Ship (LSS)”.
UNREP is a process by which ships take on food, fuel, and other stores, while they are at sea. This eliminates the need to return to port for re-supply thus allowing the vessels to stay on-station longer, and reducing the non-productive transit time to and from the desired area of operations. Given the relatively small size of the Philippine Fleet, this capability will allow the AFP to make the most of limited resources.
The following is a video of how the US Navy performs both UNREP and VERTREP (Vertical Replenishment involving helicopters).
Both the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, and the BRP Ramon A Alcaraz are UNREP capable. The photograph below clearly shows the UNREP receptacle on the former. Theoretically the PN’s lone Cyclone class ship, the BRP Mariano Alvarez (PS-38), should have a similar capability since its sisterships in the USN are replenished while underway. The capability is there, so all that is required for in-house capability will be the supply ships. Before these arrive, the PN could, presumably, incorporate UNREP training in its exercises with its allies.
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This topic is also discussed on Timawa.net here.
The Philippine Navy’s 15-year development plan
Saturday , 26, May 2012 AFP modernization, Philippine Navy 2 CommentsLt. Commander Nerelito Martinez, Philippine Fleet acting chief of staff for plans and programs, revealed details about the Philippine Navy’s 15-year strategic development plan dubbed “Philippine Fleet Desired Force Mix”, in a recent Philippine Fleet publication. Several news organs, as the Philippine Star, have since referenced his article their articles on the subject.
The plan calls for the following mix of assets:
- Six (6) frigates configured for anti-air warfare
- Twelve (12) corvettes designed for anti-submarine warfare
- 18 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OVs)
- Three (3) submarines
- Three (3) Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs)
- Four (4) Strategic Sealift Vessels (SSVs)
- 18 Landing Craft Utility (LCU)
- Three (3) Logistics Support/Replenishment Ship (LSS)
- Three (3) Ocean tugs
- Six Yard/Fire Tugs
- 12 Cyclone class Coast Patrol Interdiction Craft (CPIC),
- 30 Patrol gunboats,
- 42 Multi-Purpose Assault Craft (MPACs)
- 24 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs)
- Eight (8) Amphibious Maritime Patrol Aircraft (AMPA)
- 18 Naval Helicopters embarked aboard frigates and corvettes
- Eight (8) Multi-Purpose Helicopters (MPH) [embarked aboard the SSVs]
This list includes two types of vessels that have already been produced in Philippine shipyards: the BRP Tagbanua Landing Craft Utility, and the MPAC Mk.1 and Mk.2. It will be interesting to see what other classes of vessels could potentially be produced locally.
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.
Philippines’ second warship to be named Ramon Alcaraz, World War II hero
The following is an excerpt of President Aquino’s speech, where he announced the name of the incoming WHEC:
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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.
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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
Updated: Extending Timawa.net forum discussions to Facebook
Saturday , 5, May 2012 About this blog Leave a commentThe 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 | 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 | |
| F-16s for the Philippine Air Force | 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. | |
| Gripen for the Philippine Air Force | Gripen advocates in the Philippine Air Force | |
| W-3A Sokol (Falcon) in the Philippine Air Force | A running account of the latest intermediate lift helicopter in the Philippine Air Force, the Swidnik (AgustaWestland) W-3A | |
| Philippine Defense Budget | A look at how the Republic of the Philippines spends on its own defense | |
| Self-Reliant Defense Posture | A collection of discussions about how to mobilize the Philippine manufacturing sector to create an indigenous defense industry | |
| Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) Development Forum | 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 | |
| WHECs in Philippine Navy service | A running account of former US Coast Guard Weather, High Endurance Cutters (WHEC) that have entered Philippine Navy service | |
| Philippine Artillery | A group devoted to efforts to acquire modern artillery systems | |
| Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition Program | The PN’s Desired Force Mix states that it seeks to have six frigates. This group chronicles this development | |
| Armed Forces of the Philippines in the movies | A look at how the AFP is portrayed on Philippine cinema |
Stand Up for Scarborough Shoal (Bajo Masinloc)
Saturday , 5, May 2012 External defense Leave a commentSee 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 NOLCOMCAMP 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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Why the Philippines cannot afford to appear to be goading China
Monday , 16, April 2012 External defense Leave a commentThe 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 | ||
| 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 |
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| 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 |
Inventory: Lockheed C-130 Hercules / L-100
Wednesday , 15, February 2012 Uncategorized Leave a commentThe 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 | 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 | 0738 | See here | Previously assigned to USAF Reserve 731st Tactical Airlift Squadron. Ref | |
| 3545 | 58-0747 | C-130B | 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 |
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| 3547 | 58-0749 | C-130B | 0749 | See here | Previously assigned to the Ohio National Guard and USAF Reserve | |
| 3552 | 58-0753 | C-130B | 3552 | See here | Transferred to AMARC in 19 Aug 1992 (AACF0112). Transferred to PAF in 29 Sep 1997 Ref | |
| 3593 | 60-0294 | C-130B | 0294 | See here | Previously assigned to the USAF Reserve | |
| 3633 | 61-0954 | C-130B | 3633 | See here | Active. Undergoing Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) | |
| 3646 | 61-0961 | C-130B | 0961 | See here | ||
| 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 | 4512 | See here | Civilian version of the military C-130 | |
| 4593 | RP-C101 | L100-20 | 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 | C-130H | 4704 | See here | Active. Undergoing Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) | ||
| 4726 | C-130H | 4726 | See here | Active. Subjected to PDM at Clark Field by Lockheed Martin / Asian Aerospace. Maintenance cycle completed in June 2009. Ref |