THE PHILIPPINES should build a self-reliant coastal defense system and support local shipbuilders if it wants to become a maritime hub, experts and a local shipbuilder said. “Maritime security is a necessary condition for developing the Philippines as a maritime hub,” said George N. Manzano, a trade expert from the University of Asia and the Pacific. “If there are dangers…
Filipino Fishing Boat (FFB) Queen Lorena-1 was rescued and assisted by Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel deployed in Pag-asa Island on 11-March-2022. According to CAPT Jeorge G Sambilad, boat captain of the said FFB, the engine had minor derangement while making their way towards the sheltered port of Pag-asa Island. However, as they entered the said…
Born in Quezon City, Commandant Vice Admiral Leopoldo V. Laroya PCG began his military career in 1983 when he entered the Philippine Military Academy. Through hard work and discipline, he earned his degree in Bachelor of Science and graduated in the upper percentile of “Maringal” class (number 12 out of 135) in 1988. His competencies enabled him to expand his…
A Chinese fishing vessel appears in a sensitive location —near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a South China Sea reef, or just offshore from a U.S. military base. Is it an “ordinary” fishing boat, or is it maritime militia? This straightforward question seldom yields straightforward answers. China does not publish a roster of maritime militia boats. That…
The global commons refer to the four domains where mother earth’s shared natural resources, outside of national jurisdiction, are found: maritime, air, space and cyberspace. Among these, the oldest is the maritime domain, followed by air in early 20th century with the discovery of human flight; followed by airspace with the launching of satellites into outer space in the 1950s;…
ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) today released its Half-Yearly Report 2020 (January-June). Highlights of the Report, whose information is verified by the respective government agencies, also known as ReCAAP Focal Points, and regional authorities, are summarized below: Overall Situation 51 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising 50 actual and 1 attempted incident) were reported in Asia during…
Born on 8-September-1965 in Polomok, South Cotabato, the 27th Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, VICE ADMIRAL GEORGE VILLAREAL URSABIA JR PCG was raised by his parents – the late George Kiamco Ursabia Sr and Guia Villareal-Ursabia to be a person with discipline, perseverance, and a hard worker in pursuing greater heights. He internalized these values, which lead him to…
A native of Manila, Commodore Carlos Leong Agustin AFP (Ret) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, USA in 1960. He took Weapons Systems Engineering at the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA; Naval Staff Course at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, UK; NR course in National Security Management at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces,…
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance the country’s capability to respond to oil spill in the morning of 24-February-2020. Vice Admiral George Ursabia of the PCG – Marine Environment Protection Command (MEPCOM) expressed his gratitude to the OSRL for their willingness to assist the PCG…
Without a doubt, the Maritime Industry in the Philippines is a vibrant cornerstone to the local economy and national workforce stability. To some extent, on an international level as well. One doesn’t have to look very far to understand how innovation with efficiency of operation and an ongoing focus to being environmentally sensitive is paramount in maintaining a balance of…
Reviewing some of my past email, I came across a June 23, 2011 query from a Philippine Marine reserve officer, Frank Suha, who has been living in the United States for many years: There is recent news that PCG is planning to buy brand-new high endurance cutters/vessels – this will be a big help in the West Philippine Sea issue….
The ReCAAP ISC has released its latest publication in 2019: “Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah.” This Guidance focuses on the incidents of abduction of crew from ships for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and in the waters off Eastern Sabah. It provides the guidance and analysis based on the information collected…
“Let us respect, honor and revere our Philippine Flag!” was President Fidel V Ramos’ concluding line in his Maritime Review article three years ago after he graced a few weeks earlier the 118th Anniversary of the Battle of Alapan that took place on 28-May-1898 in Imus, Cavite. After this victorious battle of Filipino revolutionary forces against Spanish troops, General Emilio…
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INTRODUCTION The Philippine National Defense Department has signed a contract with Hyundai of South Korea for the construction of two units of the Incheon Class Frigate last 24-October-2016 at the cost of US$337M to modernize the capability of the Philippine Navy’s surface combatants. This article is a guide to craft the circular of requirements for the Frigate in order to…
Global naval defence budgets are more and more constrained, putting pressure on navies around the world to build up their capabilities and fleets to remain powerful on the seven seas. The resurgence of adversaries and their increasing capabilities is forcing allied nations to re-assess their current state and to think about procurement decisions in upcoming years. In a recent survey…
The idea of giving credit where credit is due on the separation of the Coast Guard from the Navy came about when I got the suggestion last year that we should award VAdm. Mariano J. Dumancas Jr. (FOIC, PN1990-93) with a citation for exactly agreeing to help achieve that result in 1992. I missed to include that idea in our…
Many columnists from time to time mention the observation that we are a ‘fractured nation’ for many reasons. For one, some say that we suffer from colonial mentality, that we forgot our roots and readily accepted what our colonial masters dished out to us. On the other hand, there is an opposite syndrome, and that is to falsely claim historical…