Stories

Defense 31-May-2022

Modern Day Coastal Defense Operations and Its Implications for the Philippines

INTRODUCTION. Vampire! Vampire! Vampire! yelled the Fire Controlman aboard BRP Vicente Catalan (DDG-01) as the blips came into his scope. Countermeasures! as the Ship’s Weapons Officer shouted, decoys launched. Enemy Missiles destroyed. –A fictional futuristic scenario in which Philippine Navy warships may encounter in a modern high intensity conflict from a mobile land-based anti-ship missile systems. On 04-April-2022, the Shore-Based…

Defense, Maritime Security 31-May-2022

PCG Confirms Increasing Presence of Filipino Fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed the increasing presence of Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc, Zambales. During the intensified maritime operations from 28 February to 05 March 2022, the PCG has monitored approximately 45 Filipino fishing boats conducting fishing activities at the vicinity waters off Bajo De Masinloc. Through the ongoing “Bayanihan sa Karagatan,” personnel of BRP Capones…

Maritime Security, Uncategorized 31-May-2022

PMC Activates New Shore Based Anti-ship Missile Battalion

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) led by Commandant MGen Nestor C Herico PN(M) activated the new Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) Battalion (Provisional) on 3-April-2022. The SBASM Battalion, the first in the Philippines, will be operating an anti-ship missile system that can quickly detect, track, chase, and destroy maritime targets. “The activation of SBASM will certainly…

Maritime Security, Uncategorized 31-May-2022

New Assets of the Philippine National Police

To complement police operations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has added more marine and land mobile assets, as well as communication technology. During simple rituals at the PNP National Headquarters on 9-February-2022, PNP Chief, Police General Dionardo B Carlos, led police officials in blessing new equipment worth Php576,667,540. Ten police high-speed Tactical Watercraft with twin 250 horsepower engines are the…

Chairman's Page, Maritime History 29-Mar-2022

A Tribute to A Filipino Veteran

In January 2022, one of the few remaining WWII veterans, Major Maximo P Young, passed away due to a heart ailment. He was six months away from his centennial birthday. The Armed Forces of the Philippines rendered full military honors during his internment ceremony. Major Young was an extraordinary veteran having served in 3 international conflicts: WWII, Korean War, and…

Defense, Maritime History, National Affairs 29-Mar-2022

Engaging the Enemy at the Littorals: A History of Coastal Defense in the Philippines from the Pre-Spanish period to the Second World War (Part 2)

The American Era: Coastal Defense Fortifications Take Shape The importance of Corregidor Island in the military complex dates back as far as the beginning of the Spanish Colonial period during the 1500’s, as Spanish Galleons used to anchor at the Island or on other nearby islands. Apart from being a naval anchorage, it was an outpost to alert Manila and…

Events, Profiles 29-Mar-2022

Maritime League Trustee is Navy Reservist of the Year

It was not so long ago when a fine young man had joined the Maritime League, and that man eventually became one of the League’s Trustees. He is LTJG Christian R Chua PN (Res), a junior officer by rank, but to his colleagues, he is a true soldier, gentleman, leader and a fine officer who can be trusted. We would…

Maritime Training 29-Mar-2022

PH – US Marine Exercise 2022

The Marine Exercise 2022 Philippines (MAREX 22 PH) between the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) officially concluded with a virtual closing ceremony graced by the Philippine Navy Flag Officer In Command Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado as the Guest of Honor and Speaker on 2-February-2022. The annual bilateral exercise was conducted from 28-31 January-2022. The exercise…

Events 29-Mar-2022

Maritime League VP is New AGFO President

Maritime League Vice President VAdm Emilio C Marayag Jr. was elected President and Board Chairman of the Association of General and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO) for the year 2022. He was the former Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Chairman of the Membership and Ethics Committee. He joined the 15-man Board in 2019 and was recently re-elected as a Director for…

Events, IMO 29-Mar-2022

IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors of the Philippines

In February 2015, the Secretary-General established the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador (IMO-GMA) Scheme. It aims to reach new target audiences and inspire a new generation of maritime experts and seafarers. The multi-faceted maritime world offers a series of rich and fulfilling career opportunities for young people, both at sea and ashore. Seafaring can provide young generations not only with an…

Events, National Affairs 29-Mar-2022

Preparation for the Proposed New Naval Forward Operating Base Facing the Pacific

01-March-2022, Bagamanoc, Catanduanes – CAPTAIN SALVADOR G LAVAPIE JR PN(GSC), Chairman, Technical Working Group (TWG) Forward Operating Base (FOB) Catanduanes and Commander, Naval Task Force – 31 (NTF-31), paid a courtesy call to Catanduanes Governor, Hon. Joseph Chua Cua on 01 March 2022. The courtesy call is in connection with the proposed construction of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for…

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, National Affairs 29-Mar-2022

Relief and Recovery Operations by BFAR-8

Thirty (30) fisherfolks from Barangays Asuncion, Combado and Pasay of Maasin City, Southern Leyte whose fishing boats have been totally damaged by Typhoon Odette on December 16, 2021 have been awarded with 15 units of 20-footer fiberglass boats with engines and accessories by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on 22-January-2022. The said fishing boats with an estimate…

Events, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief 29-Mar-2022

MARITIME LEAGUE Supports BOHOL RELIEF ASSISTANCE

On 16-December-2021, Typhoon Odette left the province of Bohol in a devastated environment: with uprooted trees, flooding, roofs ripped from schools and buildings, and collapsed numerous homes! RADM MARGARITO V SANCHEZ JR AFP(RET), Chairperson of SEABEES and ENGINEER RETIREES GENEREAL SERVICES COOPERATIVE (SERGS Coop) organized a relief drive to benefit victims of this typhoon as what they had carried out…

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, National Affairs 29-Mar-2022

Relief and Recovery Operations by DA-BFAR

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) continues to expand its relief and recovery drive in coastal communities affected by Super Typhoon Odette. DA-BFAR’s multi-mission vessels have been deployed to fast-track the recovery of Odette-stricken coastal areas. More than Php6 million worth of relief goods and food packs including frozen fish, rice, sardines, clothes, and hygiene…

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, National Affairs 29-Mar-2022

Naval Forces West Assists in Distribution of Galvanized Iron Sheets to Palawan

Navy’s operating forces in Palawan distributed hundreds of galvanized iron sheets to aid in rehabilitation of Typhoon Odette-affected areas. The Naval Forces West (NFW) together with Civil Military Operations Unit – West (CMOU-W), Naval Installation and Facilities-West (NIF-W), and Joint Task Force I-CARE, facilitated and assisted Lara’s Ark Foundation in the distribution of 580 pieces and 170 pieces of galvanized…

Maritime Security, National Affairs 29-Mar-2022

Joint Law Enforcement Operatives Destroy Php 375 million Worth of Marijuana in Kalinga

05-March-2022. Joint law enforcement operatives have destroyed 1,837,200 fully-grown Marijuana plants, 30,000 grams of dried fruiting tops, 6,000 grams of Marijuana seeds, 70,000 grams of powdered Marijuana, and 492,666 grams of dried Marijuana leaves and stalks with a total estimated market value of PHP 375 Million during their 10-Day Air and Land Interoperability Operations Against Illegal Drugs in the province…

Marine Environment, Maritime Law, National Affairs 25-Jan-2022

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE for CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION in the Indo-Pacific/Indochina-Pacific Maritime Region

Phase 1 (4 years) – A Pacific Ocean marine corridor in central Philippines         Background. Phase 1 of the Programme spotlights a Pacific Ocean corridor in central Philippines serves as the initial focus for the wider Indo-Pacific/Indochina-Pacific 3/ maritime region that is critical to global health and security. This large sea area as designated is comprised of interconnected enclosed-semi-enclosed seas…

Defense, Ship-Design, Shipbuilding 25-Jan-2022

Planned Maintenance System (PMS) on the Propulsion Engines of the 44M MRRV of the PCG

INTRODUCTION This article is a detailed overview on how the propulsion system of 44M Multi-Role Response Vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard PMS can be achieved.  The existing propulsion system of said ten units 44M MRRV is MTU Model 12V 4000 series M93L which can be maintained effectively using the following step by step PMS procedures: Understanding the engine performance…

Maritime Security, National Affairs 25-Jan-2022

Taiwan and the Philippines

In the event tensions escalate to a conflict between China and Taiwan, will the Philippine be involved? This may be one of the risk scenarios in 2022.* China’s President Xi Jinping blamed the U.S. for the tensions  between the two world economic and military powers on “Repeated attempts by Taiwan authorities for U.S. support  in their independence agenda as well…

Defense, Maritime History, National Affairs 25-Jan-2022

ENGAGING THE ENEMY AT THE LITTORALS: A HISTORY OF COASTAL DEFENSE IN THE PHILIPPINES from the Pre-Spanish period to the Second World War.

“ Coast Defense, in its broadest sense, includes all measures taken to provide protection against any form of attack at or near the shore line as well as within the combat zone immediately in rear thereof. ” -US FM 31-10 Basic Field Manual of Coast Defense INTRODUCTION In October 2019, the Philippine Army activated the Artillery Regiment’s 1st Land-Based Missile…