BEIJING - China expressed alarm on Thursday about an agreement in which the Philippines will lease five aircraft from Japan to help patrol the disputed South China Sea.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said the five TC-90 training aircraft would help the navy in patrolling what the Philippines views as its territory.

The Philippines has made the modernization of its air and naval forces a priority as China deploys missiles and fighters on a number of artificial islands in the South China Sea.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the sea.
"If the Philippines' actions are to challenge China's sovereignty and security interests, China is resolutely opposed," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

"I also want to point out that Japan is not a party to the South China Sea issue and we are on high guard against its moves. We demand that Japan speak and act cautiously and not do anything to harm regional peace and stability."
China, the world's second-largest economy, and Japan, the third largest, have a difficult political history, with relations strained by the legacy of Japan's World War Two aggression and conflicting claims over a group of uninhabited East China Sea islets.
The Philippine military, for decades preoccupied with domestic insurgencies, has been shifting its focus to territorial defense, allocating 83 billion pesos ($1.77 billion) until 2017 to upgrade and modernize its air force and navy.
Allies the United States and South Korea have already offered help to bolster air capabilities and Aquino announced the arrival this year of two refurbished C130 transport planes from the United States.
Already in the Philippines military's plans is the acquisition of a squadron of multi-role fighters, air-to-ground missile batteries, early warning aircraft and drones.
Last week, the Philippines and Japan signed a deal on the transfer of military equipment and technology, a document Japan needs to allow it to export weapons and guarantee they will not be transferred to a third party.

Source: Reuters

China expresses alarm at Philippines-Japan aircraft deal

at 3:45 AM  |  No comments

BEIJING - China expressed alarm on Thursday about an agreement in which the Philippines will lease five aircraft from Japan to help patrol the disputed South China Sea.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said the five TC-90 training aircraft would help the navy in patrolling what the Philippines views as its territory.

The Philippines has made the modernization of its air and naval forces a priority as China deploys missiles and fighters on a number of artificial islands in the South China Sea.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the sea.
"If the Philippines' actions are to challenge China's sovereignty and security interests, China is resolutely opposed," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

"I also want to point out that Japan is not a party to the South China Sea issue and we are on high guard against its moves. We demand that Japan speak and act cautiously and not do anything to harm regional peace and stability."
China, the world's second-largest economy, and Japan, the third largest, have a difficult political history, with relations strained by the legacy of Japan's World War Two aggression and conflicting claims over a group of uninhabited East China Sea islets.
The Philippine military, for decades preoccupied with domestic insurgencies, has been shifting its focus to territorial defense, allocating 83 billion pesos ($1.77 billion) until 2017 to upgrade and modernize its air force and navy.
Allies the United States and South Korea have already offered help to bolster air capabilities and Aquino announced the arrival this year of two refurbished C130 transport planes from the United States.
Already in the Philippines military's plans is the acquisition of a squadron of multi-role fighters, air-to-ground missile batteries, early warning aircraft and drones.
Last week, the Philippines and Japan signed a deal on the transfer of military equipment and technology, a document Japan needs to allow it to export weapons and guarantee they will not be transferred to a third party.

Source: Reuters

Read More
Posted by Documentaries
World’s top cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises mulls an expansion in the Philippines, saying the country's "amazing adversity and richness of islands" is what they are looking for.
Royal Caribbean Cruises President and Chief Operating Officer Adam Goldstein is in the Philippines to meet with the potential investor groups and the Philippine government to discuss plans for expansion.
Goldstein said with Philippines' big potential for the cruise market, they need to think ahead of the game and propose for the construction of the pier infrastructure as early as now.

“Infrastructure projects typically take three to five years to come into situation, so we want to make sure that potential investor groups, the government and others know what we think is possible ahead of the game, so we came here to say a world city like Manila should really have significant pier infrastructure that can take potentially even the biggest cruise ship in the world,” he said.
He said that although the development of infrastructure needed for the expansion will take time, he foresees the plan will materialize.
“The Philippines has this amazing adversity and richness of islands and that’s typically what we look for, I would say in theory there’s almost unlimited destinations, it will just take time to develop routes and develop traffic that will allow us to go to different parts of the Philippine profitably, but I foresee that it will happen,” he said.
Goldstein bared their medium term plan is to establish ports of call in the Philippines for cruises from Hong Kong.
"In the medium to longer term is cruises from Hong Kong which is a new developing area, the ships can reach Manila and other parts of the Philippines without too much difficulty, they can be incorporated into attractive itineraries," he said.
A longer term plan includes setting up actual cruises originating in the Philippines.
"A little bit longer term we think, as the Chinese expands their travelling for leisure and volume, the places like Boracay will become available to them and even possibly in the medium and long term, ships may be able to begin and end cruises from Manila or from Boracay because of Chinese and others flying to the destination in the Philippines possibly doing a hotel stay before or after the cruises, taking a cruise in the region,” Goldstein said.
Source: Magno Ardenia, ABS-CBN News

Cruise company eyes PH expansion, mulls pier construction

at 9:16 PM  |  No comments

World’s top cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises mulls an expansion in the Philippines, saying the country's "amazing adversity and richness of islands" is what they are looking for.
Royal Caribbean Cruises President and Chief Operating Officer Adam Goldstein is in the Philippines to meet with the potential investor groups and the Philippine government to discuss plans for expansion.
Goldstein said with Philippines' big potential for the cruise market, they need to think ahead of the game and propose for the construction of the pier infrastructure as early as now.

“Infrastructure projects typically take three to five years to come into situation, so we want to make sure that potential investor groups, the government and others know what we think is possible ahead of the game, so we came here to say a world city like Manila should really have significant pier infrastructure that can take potentially even the biggest cruise ship in the world,” he said.
He said that although the development of infrastructure needed for the expansion will take time, he foresees the plan will materialize.
“The Philippines has this amazing adversity and richness of islands and that’s typically what we look for, I would say in theory there’s almost unlimited destinations, it will just take time to develop routes and develop traffic that will allow us to go to different parts of the Philippine profitably, but I foresee that it will happen,” he said.
Goldstein bared their medium term plan is to establish ports of call in the Philippines for cruises from Hong Kong.
"In the medium to longer term is cruises from Hong Kong which is a new developing area, the ships can reach Manila and other parts of the Philippines without too much difficulty, they can be incorporated into attractive itineraries," he said.
A longer term plan includes setting up actual cruises originating in the Philippines.
"A little bit longer term we think, as the Chinese expands their travelling for leisure and volume, the places like Boracay will become available to them and even possibly in the medium and long term, ships may be able to begin and end cruises from Manila or from Boracay because of Chinese and others flying to the destination in the Philippines possibly doing a hotel stay before or after the cruises, taking a cruise in the region,” Goldstein said.
Source: Magno Ardenia, ABS-CBN News

Read More
Posted by Documentaries
PHOTO: A US official has confirmed B-1 bombers could be stationed in Australia in a joint operation with the                  RAAF.(US Air Force/Staff Sgt Bennie J Davis III)
BEIJING - China expressed concerns on Wednesday over the United States' plan to base long-range bombers in Australia, and claimed that such cooperation should not target the interests of third parties.

The deployments could include B-1 bombers and an expansion of B-52 bomber missions, said Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific, stressing that discussions were continuing and no decisions had yet been reached.


Should an agreement be reached, it would position further U.S. military aircraft close to the disputed South China Sea and risk angering China, a move that could inflame tensions with China.

"We are concerned at relevant reports. At the moment, the major regional trend and people's desire is to seek peace and cooperation to push forward development. 

Cooperation among relevant counties should protect regional peace and stability, and any bilateral cooperation should not target the interests of third parties," spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

Australia last month committed to increase defense spending by nearly A$30 billion ($22 billion), seeking to protect its strategic and trade interests in the Asia-Pacific as the United States and its allies grapple with China's rising power.

The potential stationing of B-1 bombers in Australia was raised by U.S. officials last year, but Australia's then Defense Minister said they had misspoken.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims.

Source: Reuters l ABS-CBN

China wary of U.S. long-range bombers in Australia

at 5:30 PM  |  No comments

PHOTO: A US official has confirmed B-1 bombers could be stationed in Australia in a joint operation with the                  RAAF.(US Air Force/Staff Sgt Bennie J Davis III)
BEIJING - China expressed concerns on Wednesday over the United States' plan to base long-range bombers in Australia, and claimed that such cooperation should not target the interests of third parties.

The deployments could include B-1 bombers and an expansion of B-52 bomber missions, said Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific, stressing that discussions were continuing and no decisions had yet been reached.


Should an agreement be reached, it would position further U.S. military aircraft close to the disputed South China Sea and risk angering China, a move that could inflame tensions with China.

"We are concerned at relevant reports. At the moment, the major regional trend and people's desire is to seek peace and cooperation to push forward development. 

Cooperation among relevant counties should protect regional peace and stability, and any bilateral cooperation should not target the interests of third parties," spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

Australia last month committed to increase defense spending by nearly A$30 billion ($22 billion), seeking to protect its strategic and trade interests in the Asia-Pacific as the United States and its allies grapple with China's rising power.

The potential stationing of B-1 bombers in Australia was raised by U.S. officials last year, but Australia's then Defense Minister said they had misspoken.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims.

Source: Reuters l ABS-CBN

Read More
Posted by Documentaries
AN Abu Sayyaf bandit was captured following a firefight between government troops and the terrorist group in Sulu on Monday.
Brig Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the military’s Joint Task Group Sulu, identified the bandit as Hatib Ullai Usman Namla, who was captured following the encounter at around 3:45 p.m. in Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.
Namla, who yielded a caliber .45 pistol, was still undergoing debriefing at the headquarters of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Patikul as of press time.

Arrojado said the gun battle broke out after soldiers chanced upon a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Latih.
He said he had ordered other units in Sulu to reinforce the 35 IB as soldiers scour the adjoining villages for bandits who retreated after the 10-minute firefight.
The military is continuously operating against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other lawless groups in Sulu following the order of President Aquino to finish the ASG problem in the province.
The bandits are still holding more than eight kidnap victims, most of them foreigners, including two Canadians and a Norwegian.
A similar operation is also being conducted against the Abu Sayyaf bandits based in Basilan, which, from time to time, is harassing government troops.
Government forces are also operating against members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front in Barangay Tee in Dato Salibo, Maguindanao, and its neigboring villages.
The government has just wrapped up its operations in Lanao del Sur, where it captured an encampment of a terrorist group in Barangay Bayabao. A Indonesian terrorist was killed in the operation.
Source: Rene Acosta, businessmirror.com.ph,

Army troops capture Abu Sayyaf bandit

at 5:27 AM  |  No comments

AN Abu Sayyaf bandit was captured following a firefight between government troops and the terrorist group in Sulu on Monday.
Brig Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the military’s Joint Task Group Sulu, identified the bandit as Hatib Ullai Usman Namla, who was captured following the encounter at around 3:45 p.m. in Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.
Namla, who yielded a caliber .45 pistol, was still undergoing debriefing at the headquarters of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Patikul as of press time.

Arrojado said the gun battle broke out after soldiers chanced upon a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Latih.
He said he had ordered other units in Sulu to reinforce the 35 IB as soldiers scour the adjoining villages for bandits who retreated after the 10-minute firefight.
The military is continuously operating against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other lawless groups in Sulu following the order of President Aquino to finish the ASG problem in the province.
The bandits are still holding more than eight kidnap victims, most of them foreigners, including two Canadians and a Norwegian.
A similar operation is also being conducted against the Abu Sayyaf bandits based in Basilan, which, from time to time, is harassing government troops.
Government forces are also operating against members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front in Barangay Tee in Dato Salibo, Maguindanao, and its neigboring villages.
The government has just wrapped up its operations in Lanao del Sur, where it captured an encampment of a terrorist group in Barangay Bayabao. A Indonesian terrorist was killed in the operation.
Source: Rene Acosta, businessmirror.com.ph,

Read More
Posted by Documentaries
MANILA - The Philippines is to lease from Japan five aircraft to help patrol the disputed South China Sea, President Benigno Aquino announced on Wednesday, as China expands its military presence in the region.
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces' TC-90 training aircraft is seen in this undated handout photo released by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces, and obtained by Reuters on August 5, 2015. Photo by Reuters
The Philippine military, for decades preoccupied with domestic insurgencies, has been shifting its focus to territorial defence, allocating 83 billion pesos ($1.77 billion) until 2017 to upgrade and modernise its air force and navy.
Speaking at an air base south of Manila, Aquino said he had done more to build the air force than three previous governments, increasing the number of planes and helicopters to move troops and supplies and guard maritime borders.
"All this new equipment will enhance the capability of the air force to guard our territory," Aquino said.
Allies the United States and South Korea have already offered help to bolter air capabilities and Aquino announced the arrival this year of two refurbished C130 transport planes from the United States.
"We are also leasing from Japan five TC-90 training aircraft to assist our navy in patrolling our territories, particularly in the West Philippine Sea," he said, referring to the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea.
He did not say when the Japanese aircraft would arrive.

South Korea has supplied two light fighters and will give 10 more up to 2017, he said, adding that his government would award contracts for six close air support and two long-range patrol planes. Three air surveillance radars are also due be installed.
Already in the military's plans is the acquisition of a squadron of multi-role fighters, air-to-ground missile batteries, early warning aircraft and drones.
The Philippines has made the modernisation of its air and naval forces a priority as China deploys missiles and fighters on a number of artificial islands in the South China Sea.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the sea.
Last week, the Philippines and Japan signed a deal on the transfer of military equipment and technology, a document Japan needs to allow it to export weapons and guarantee they will not be transferred to a third party.
A Philippine military spokesman, Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla, said the deal for the Japanese aircraft was being finalised.
"We are not yet aware of the actual terms and conditions of the lease agreement, including the cost and duration," he said.

Source: ABS-CBN l REUTERS

PH to lease planes from Japan to patrol disputed sea

at 4:54 AM  |  No comments


MANILA - The Philippines is to lease from Japan five aircraft to help patrol the disputed South China Sea, President Benigno Aquino announced on Wednesday, as China expands its military presence in the region.
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces' TC-90 training aircraft is seen in this undated handout photo released by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces, and obtained by Reuters on August 5, 2015. Photo by Reuters
The Philippine military, for decades preoccupied with domestic insurgencies, has been shifting its focus to territorial defence, allocating 83 billion pesos ($1.77 billion) until 2017 to upgrade and modernise its air force and navy.
Speaking at an air base south of Manila, Aquino said he had done more to build the air force than three previous governments, increasing the number of planes and helicopters to move troops and supplies and guard maritime borders.
"All this new equipment will enhance the capability of the air force to guard our territory," Aquino said.
Allies the United States and South Korea have already offered help to bolter air capabilities and Aquino announced the arrival this year of two refurbished C130 transport planes from the United States.
"We are also leasing from Japan five TC-90 training aircraft to assist our navy in patrolling our territories, particularly in the West Philippine Sea," he said, referring to the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea.
He did not say when the Japanese aircraft would arrive.

South Korea has supplied two light fighters and will give 10 more up to 2017, he said, adding that his government would award contracts for six close air support and two long-range patrol planes. Three air surveillance radars are also due be installed.
Already in the military's plans is the acquisition of a squadron of multi-role fighters, air-to-ground missile batteries, early warning aircraft and drones.
The Philippines has made the modernisation of its air and naval forces a priority as China deploys missiles and fighters on a number of artificial islands in the South China Sea.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the sea.
Last week, the Philippines and Japan signed a deal on the transfer of military equipment and technology, a document Japan needs to allow it to export weapons and guarantee they will not be transferred to a third party.
A Philippine military spokesman, Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla, said the deal for the Japanese aircraft was being finalised.
"We are not yet aware of the actual terms and conditions of the lease agreement, including the cost and duration," he said.

Source: ABS-CBN l REUTERS

Read More
Posted by Documentaries
A United States submarine and a guided-missile cruiser have arrived in the Philippines amid tensions caused by Chinese activities in Philippine-claimed territories in the South China Sea.
A file photo of USS Charlotte as it prepares to moor at Fleet Activities Yokosuka during a visit in November 2015. Photo courtesy of US Navy/MC2 Brian G. Reynolds 
USS Charlotte, the submarine, moored at Subic Bay on Wednesday morning while the guided-missile destroyer, USS Antietam, docked in Manila on Tuesday.
A US military statement said USS Antietam is on "patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific."

During the cruiser's stay in the Philippines, its crew will "participate in community relations events and tours and [will] have time to enjoy the city," the statement said.
The USS Charlotte, on the other hand, is currently on a "six-month deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of operations," according to an earlier US news release.
"Charlotte will conduct important missions to strengthen theater security with strong partners throughout the region," it said.
The visit of the USS Charlotte and USS Antietam came days after the arrival of the USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the US 7th Fleet that docked at the former US naval base in Subic on March 4 for a similar port visit.
China’s actions in the resource-rich South China Sea have worried its smaller neighbors, like the Philippines, due to its massive claim that encroaches on their sovereign territories. Beijing said its claims over the waters are “indisputable” and anchored on history that is backed by ancient maps and documents.

The Philippines challenged this claim before a United Nations-linked arbitral tribunal where a resolution is pending.

Although not a party to the disputes, the US has declared that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of access to the region’s sea lanes and air zones and that disputes are resolved peacefully. It has recently sent a four-ship strike group to patrol the South China Sea. —

Source: KBK, GMA News


US submarine, warship in PHL for visit

at 4:45 AM  |  No comments

A United States submarine and a guided-missile cruiser have arrived in the Philippines amid tensions caused by Chinese activities in Philippine-claimed territories in the South China Sea.
A file photo of USS Charlotte as it prepares to moor at Fleet Activities Yokosuka during a visit in November 2015. Photo courtesy of US Navy/MC2 Brian G. Reynolds 
USS Charlotte, the submarine, moored at Subic Bay on Wednesday morning while the guided-missile destroyer, USS Antietam, docked in Manila on Tuesday.
A US military statement said USS Antietam is on "patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific."

During the cruiser's stay in the Philippines, its crew will "participate in community relations events and tours and [will] have time to enjoy the city," the statement said.
The USS Charlotte, on the other hand, is currently on a "six-month deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of operations," according to an earlier US news release.
"Charlotte will conduct important missions to strengthen theater security with strong partners throughout the region," it said.
The visit of the USS Charlotte and USS Antietam came days after the arrival of the USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the US 7th Fleet that docked at the former US naval base in Subic on March 4 for a similar port visit.
China’s actions in the resource-rich South China Sea have worried its smaller neighbors, like the Philippines, due to its massive claim that encroaches on their sovereign territories. Beijing said its claims over the waters are “indisputable” and anchored on history that is backed by ancient maps and documents.

The Philippines challenged this claim before a United Nations-linked arbitral tribunal where a resolution is pending.

Although not a party to the disputes, the US has declared that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of access to the region’s sea lanes and air zones and that disputes are resolved peacefully. It has recently sent a four-ship strike group to patrol the South China Sea. —

Source: KBK, GMA News


Read More
Posted by Documentaries
The Air Force says it's ready to deploy the Cold War-era B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber to the Middle East as part of the military campaign against Islamic State.
"The venerable B-52, with its similar capacity and accuracy and endurance, remains ready and able to meet combatant commander requirements," Air Force Secretary Deborah James told reporters on Monday afternoon during a briefing at the Pentagon.
The Boeing Co.-made aircraft's deployment required carrying out infrastructure improvements in theater that have since been made and awaits final approval, James said. She didn't detail the type of work or where it was done to prepare the area for the iconic bomber, which can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordinance.

More information would be released "at the appropriate time," James said.
The B-52 was built to deploy nuclear weapons anywhere in the world and reflects the primary long-range bomber for much of the Cold War. In the early 1960s, it was modified to carry conventional bombs and deployed to Southeast Asia to target enemy forces in North and South Vietnam.
The B-52 will take over strike missions against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, that have been carried out by the B-1 Lancer, which returned to the U.S. in January for much-needed maintenance and upgrades.
-- Bryant Jordan can be reached at bryant.jordan@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at@bryantjordan.

 Source: Military.com

B-52 Bomber Ready to Begin Airstrikes against ISIS, Air Force Says

at 4:32 AM  |  No comments

The Air Force says it's ready to deploy the Cold War-era B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber to the Middle East as part of the military campaign against Islamic State.
"The venerable B-52, with its similar capacity and accuracy and endurance, remains ready and able to meet combatant commander requirements," Air Force Secretary Deborah James told reporters on Monday afternoon during a briefing at the Pentagon.
The Boeing Co.-made aircraft's deployment required carrying out infrastructure improvements in theater that have since been made and awaits final approval, James said. She didn't detail the type of work or where it was done to prepare the area for the iconic bomber, which can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordinance.

More information would be released "at the appropriate time," James said.
The B-52 was built to deploy nuclear weapons anywhere in the world and reflects the primary long-range bomber for much of the Cold War. In the early 1960s, it was modified to carry conventional bombs and deployed to Southeast Asia to target enemy forces in North and South Vietnam.
The B-52 will take over strike missions against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, that have been carried out by the B-1 Lancer, which returned to the U.S. in January for much-needed maintenance and upgrades.
-- Bryant Jordan can be reached at bryant.jordan@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at@bryantjordan.

 Source: Military.com

Read More
Posted by Documentaries
© 2013 Read more. Woo Themes converted by Bloggertheme9
Blogger templates. Proudly Powered by Blogger.