Philippine Navy refuses to be booted out of strategic base to make way for joint Chinese airport project

[TR_123456]

MANILA (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippine Navy is opposing a plan by the government of Cavite, a populous province on the southern shores of Manila Bay, to boot the military service command out of Sangley Point in the province as part of a 500-billion peso (S$14 billion) airport project that is expected to ease congestion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in neighbouring Manila.


Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, the Navy's flag officer in command, cited particularly the involvement in the project of China Communications Construction Co (CCCC), one of the Chinese companies recently banned by the United States for its alleged role in the illegal construction of artificial islands on maritime features in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.


The proposed Cavite-initiated Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) is a joint venture between CCCC and Taipan Lucio Tan's MacroAsia Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte gave the green light to US-blacklisted Chinese firms to participate in the Philippines' infrastructure programs.


Bacordo said the reported role of CCCC in the militarisation of the South China Sea had raised eyebrows among retired and active security officials over the SPIA project.


They want to keep the Navy's presence at the strategically located Sangley Point, a former US naval base, he said.


"All the more we want to remain there so to ensure that there are no security violations," he told Inquirer.net over the weekend.





STRATEGIC POSITION

Sangley's location also allows the Navy, the military's naval warfare service branch, to conduct surveillance operations and use it as a staging point.



"It is guarding the entrance to Manila Bay and Manila Bay is the centre of gravity of the national government. If Manila falls, the whole country falls," Bacordo said.


"We want to remain there because we want to guard the entrance to Manila Bay."


But while the Navy is firmly against the plan to be evicted out of Sangley, Bacordo clarified that it was not against the SPIA project itself.

"The project can go on... We can coexist in Sangley without necessarily booting us out," he said.


He declined to comment on the Philippine government's deals with Chinese firms for its flagship infrastructure projects, saying it was "beyond the purview" of the Navy.


In February, Duterte inaugurated Sangley airport, which boasts of a 2.4km runway that would be used for general aviation and turboprop cargo operations.


Construction of new facilities, such as a passenger terminal building, hangars and drainage system, started in late 2018.


In June 2019, the President ordered the immediate transfer of domestic flight operations to Sangley Point after a lightning storm delayed and diverted domestic and international flights of thousands of passengers in Naia.

SPOTTY RECORD

In October last year, the airport started its operational dry run and had its maiden cargo flight.


The CCCC's spotty record has also raised questions about the propriety of allowing its participation in the major infrastructure plan.


The World Bank had previously banned the CCCC and its subsidiaries due to fraudulent practices, according to several reports.


Citing sources involved in the bidding of the SPIA project, the Inquirer reported in January that the bidding process had favoured CCCC from the very start, but Malacañang and the Cavite government played down the allegations.

CANACAO BAY RECLAMATION

Immediately after the recent US announcement on its trade blacklist of Chinese companies linked to China's island-building in the South China Sea, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said he would recommend the termination of government contracts with these firms but later backpedalled after the President decided to push through with the infrastructure projects.


The Navy is also concerned about the SPIA plan to reclaim almost 75 per cent of Cañacao Bay, the site of the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American war.


The Cavite provincial government said it would pursue a proposal to transform the gateway into a US$10-billion (S$13 billion) international air hub.


This will include a massive land reclamation component and will be partly funded by Chinese companies.


"Instead of them going south of 1898 Avenue and reclaiming Cañacao Bay, why won't they reclaim the northward site so everything south of 1898 Avenue will still be occupied by the Navy?" Bacordo said.


Because of its historical importance, he said the bay "should be dredged and preserved in its entire glory" instead of reclaiming it.


"During the time of the Americans, large ships could enter and dock there," he said.


The Philippine Navy's vital facilities - the Philippine Fleet, Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Installation Command - are all stationed at Sangley Point.


Some Navy personnel and their families also live in a community nearby.


Based on the initial development plan released by the Cavite government, the Philippine Navy is completely out of the picture.


"If you look at the plan for SPIA, they will cover the whole of Sangley, plus they will reclaim about three-fourths of Cañacao Bay," he said.


He added: "We are really not there from their perspective."


In December last year, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said he would propose that the Philippine Air Force "co-use" the SPIA to ease security fears. He made no mention of the Philippine Navy.

POSITION PAPER

Bacordo said the Navy had submitted a position paper to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defence in March to formalise its stand on the SPIA project.


"The AFP chief of staff favourably endorsed the paper to the SND (Secretary of National Defence) and the SND agrees with the position of the AFP," he said.


Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana later authorised the Navy to hold consultations with the Cavite government, Bacordo said.


An initial online discussion between the Navy and the provincial government took place in August, but the issues have not yet been fully resolved.


"Before this Covid-19 pandemic, we were supposed to sit down, but it never happened… I'm looking forward to fruitful discussions that started in August," the Navy chief said.


He reiterated that the command was not against the SPIA project.


"We just want a win-win solution. Leave something for us for the Navy," he said.

Philippine Navy refuses to be booted out of strategic base to make way for joint Chinese airport project

MANILA (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippine Navy is opposing a plan by the government of Cavite, a populous province on the southern shores of Manila Bay, to boot the military service command out of Sangley Point in the province as part of a P500-billion (S$14 billion)...

www.straitstimes.com

 

[Saithan]

MANILA (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippine Navy is opposing a plan by the government of Cavite, a populous province on the southern shores of Manila Bay, to boot the military service command out of Sangley Point in the province as part of a 500-billion peso (S$14 billion) airport project that is expected to ease congestion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in neighbouring Manila.


Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, the Navy's flag officer in command, cited particularly the involvement in the project of China Communications Construction Co (CCCC), one of the Chinese companies recently banned by the United States for its alleged role in the illegal construction of artificial islands on maritime features in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.


The proposed Cavite-initiated Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) is a joint venture between CCCC and Taipan Lucio Tan's MacroAsia Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte gave the green light to US-blacklisted Chinese firms to participate in the Philippines' infrastructure programs.


Bacordo said the reported role of CCCC in the militarisation of the South China Sea had raised eyebrows among retired and active security officials over the SPIA project.


They want to keep the Navy's presence at the strategically located Sangley Point, a former US naval base, he said.


"All the more we want to remain there so to ensure that there are no security violations," he told Inquirer.net over the weekend.





STRATEGIC POSITION

Sangley's location also allows the Navy, the military's naval warfare service branch, to conduct surveillance operations and use it as a staging point.



"It is guarding the entrance to Manila Bay and Manila Bay is the centre of gravity of the national government. If Manila falls, the whole country falls," Bacordo said.


"We want to remain there because we want to guard the entrance to Manila Bay."


But while the Navy is firmly against the plan to be evicted out of Sangley, Bacordo clarified that it was not against the SPIA project itself.

"The project can go on... We can coexist in Sangley without necessarily booting us out," he said.


He declined to comment on the Philippine government's deals with Chinese firms for its flagship infrastructure projects, saying it was "beyond the purview" of the Navy.


In February, Duterte inaugurated Sangley airport, which boasts of a 2.4km runway that would be used for general aviation and turboprop cargo operations.


Construction of new facilities, such as a passenger terminal building, hangars and drainage system, started in late 2018.


In June 2019, the President ordered the immediate transfer of domestic flight operations to Sangley Point after a lightning storm delayed and diverted domestic and international flights of thousands of passengers in Naia.

SPOTTY RECORD

In October last year, the airport started its operational dry run and had its maiden cargo flight.


The CCCC's spotty record has also raised questions about the propriety of allowing its participation in the major infrastructure plan.


The World Bank had previously banned the CCCC and its subsidiaries due to fraudulent practices, according to several reports.


Citing sources involved in the bidding of the SPIA project, the Inquirer reported in January that the bidding process had favoured CCCC from the very start, but Malacañang and the Cavite government played down the allegations.

CANACAO BAY RECLAMATION

Immediately after the recent US announcement on its trade blacklist of Chinese companies linked to China's island-building in the South China Sea, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said he would recommend the termination of government contracts with these firms but later backpedalled after the President decided to push through with the infrastructure projects.


The Navy is also concerned about the SPIA plan to reclaim almost 75 per cent of Cañacao Bay, the site of the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American war.


The Cavite provincial government said it would pursue a proposal to transform the gateway into a US$10-billion (S$13 billion) international air hub.


This will include a massive land reclamation component and will be partly funded by Chinese companies.


"Instead of them going south of 1898 Avenue and reclaiming Cañacao Bay, why won't they reclaim the northward site so everything south of 1898 Avenue will still be occupied by the Navy?" Bacordo said.


Because of its historical importance, he said the bay "should be dredged and preserved in its entire glory" instead of reclaiming it.


"During the time of the Americans, large ships could enter and dock there," he said.


The Philippine Navy's vital facilities - the Philippine Fleet, Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Installation Command - are all stationed at Sangley Point.


Some Navy personnel and their families also live in a community nearby.


Based on the initial development plan released by the Cavite government, the Philippine Navy is completely out of the picture.


"If you look at the plan for SPIA, they will cover the whole of Sangley, plus they will reclaim about three-fourths of Cañacao Bay," he said.


He added: "We are really not there from their perspective."


In December last year, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said he would propose that the Philippine Air Force "co-use" the SPIA to ease security fears. He made no mention of the Philippine Navy.

POSITION PAPER

Bacordo said the Navy had submitted a position paper to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defence in March to formalise its stand on the SPIA project.


"The AFP chief of staff favourably endorsed the paper to the SND (Secretary of National Defence) and the SND agrees with the position of the AFP," he said.


Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana later authorised the Navy to hold consultations with the Cavite government, Bacordo said.


An initial online discussion between the Navy and the provincial government took place in August, but the issues have not yet been fully resolved.


"Before this Covid-19 pandemic, we were supposed to sit down, but it never happened… I'm looking forward to fruitful discussions that started in August," the Navy chief said.


He reiterated that the command was not against the SPIA project.


"We just want a win-win solution. Leave something for us for the Navy," he said.

Philippine Navy refuses to be booted out of strategic base to make way for joint Chinese airport project

MANILA (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippine Navy is opposing a plan by the government of Cavite, a populous province on the southern shores of Manila Bay, to boot the military service command out of Sangley Point in the province as part of a P500-billion (S$14 billion)...

www.straitstimes.com

This news is in direct opposit of a recent news I shared about US Navy going to restart the use of mentioned harbour for repair and such of Naval Ships.

I think China wants to throw money at Philippines to remove that base from existence.

US Navy Eyes Return To Subic Bay In A Commercial Deal | OneNews.PH

On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.

www.onenews.ph

Also this:

Philippines Freezes Pull-Out From Visiting U.S. Forces Agreement - USNI News

The Philippine government is freezing its end an aspect of its Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S., but the decision did not signal a reversal, experts say.

news.usni.org

 

[TR_123456]

This news is in direct opposit of a recent news I shared about US Navy going to restart the use of mentioned harbour for repair and such of Naval Ships.

I think China wants to throw money at Philippines to remove that base from existence.

US Navy Eyes Return To Subic Bay In A Commercial Deal | OneNews.PH

On average, 80 to 100 US ships visit Subic every year. The return of ship repair facilities will increase traffic at the former US naval base.

www.onenews.ph

Also this:

Philippines Freezes Pull-Out From Visiting U.S. Forces Agreement - USNI News

The Philippine government is freezing its end an aspect of its Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S., but the decision did not signal a reversal, experts say.

news.usni.org

Duterte is a strange individual,impulsive,emotional,you never know what he wants tomorrow.
I dont know if he is ''untouchable'' but if not,they(Armed Forces) need to do something soon before the Philipines becomes another ''lackey'' of China.

 

[TR_123456]

Basic Needs Unmet in the Philippines While Duterte Exploits Emergency Powers

What you need to know

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is taking advantage of his emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic while the elites benefit. But Filipino activist groups do not remain silent.



Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte assumed emergency powers on March 25 to combat the coronavirus crisis, but concerns are mounting over his broad-sweeping authority.

The temporary powers allow Duterte to re-allocate government funds and potentially take over private businesses. But Duterte has yet to implement any effective policy aside from furthering military-style containment as a policing strategy.

The main result of Duterte’s emergency power has been the establishment of the National Task Force (NTF), headed by three cabinet members, all ex-generals. Senator Bong Go defended the consolidation of power as necessary to serve the population in the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This will operationalize the social assistance programs of the government. We should do this with haste as the people cannot wait any longer,” Go said in an emailed statement.


Duterte recently declared a “lockdown” beginning March 15 on the roughly 13 million people living in Metro Manila. In his policy address, he called on every Filipino “to participate in this war by following the guidelines of the government.”

Soon after, Duterte extended the lockdown to Luzon, a large island with a population of over 57 million. In his announcement, Duterte once again invoked a militaristic metaphor and said, “we are all soldiers in this war.”

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he delivers his speech at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila, Philippines on Thursday March 12, 2020. Duterte has suspended domestic travel to and from the Manila area for a month and authorized sweeping quarantines in the region to fight the new coronavirus.


The lockdown enforces strict curfews and scrutinizes any movement outside of private homes. Thousands of soldiers and police are upholding Duterte’s warning to imprison those who transgress lawful authority.

This usurpation of power has not gone unremarked internationally. Prominent human rights group KARAPATAN has sounded the alarm over emboldening the state to commit widespread repression. In a statement, the group accused Duterte of abusing the pandemic as an excuse to impose a quasi-martial law on the country.


“Duterte seems to be more than eager to use his emergency powers to give himself full, absolute and sole authority, and tighten his grip on power,” KARAPATAN wrote.

Beyond human rights concerns, the consolidation of power has not been successful in achieving its public health goals.

Contained in Poverty
The police have arrested thousands of people who violated the curfew across the affected regions.

Abuses by the authorities have been reported in various cities. A Facebook user took a picture of five youths placed in a dog cage for violating curfew. Similarly, a 69-year-old homeless woman in Manila was woken up on the streets and arrested for resisting authority.

A Facebook user snapped a photo of curfew violators who were put in a dog cage in Santa Cruz, Laguna.


Meanwhile, the Duterte administration has shunned demands for free, mass testing as well as protective equipment and hazard pay for frontline health workers, citing a lack of resources. Even volunteers for the Department of Health (DOH) are required to bring their own medical supplies.

The Philippine government has other priorities. A week ago the administration promulgated a US$524 million “war chest” for the fight against Covid-19. However, more than half of the money will be used to boost the tourism industry, while only US$60 million is designated for the procurement of testing kits.

The national urban poverty activist group, Kadamay, has led several simultaneous protests from home in slum areas across Metro Manila to demand medical services and food. The group wished to bring attention to the gross lack of aid to the most vulnerable population while the government has concentrated resources on law enforcement.

“How are you supposed to quarantine at home if you have no shelter? How are you supposed to stock up on food if you cannot work?” said Mimi Doringo, a spokesperson of Kadamay. “Poor Filipinos are going hungry because there is little to no support from the administration and local governments are not equipped for the circumstances. Worse, homelessness is being criminalized while public officials are proposing unrealistic ways to cope.”

Doringo joined the protests by banging on pots and pans from her home in the public housing projects in Caloocan City, but was summoned post-haste to the local government office for intense questioning. Doringo said that the containment of the virus by the authorities also entails “the containment of free speech.”

A Kamaday protester holds up a sign that reads "Medical action, not military action" at home.

A Tiered Response to Covid-19
Public officials and others in advantaged positions are able to receive tests and are in quarantine in the comfort of their homes. Some elites have violated protocols without sanction.

Senator Koko Pimentel of PDP-Laban, the ruling party, recently brought his pregnant wife to the hospital. During his stay, Pimentel received the news that he had tested positive for Covid-19. Medical staff on site noted how the senator continued to linger in the premises despite knowing he had the virus, endangering the already dwindling medical personnel. He also admitted to attending parties and official functions during the time he was under medical investigation.

The DOH also admitted that it has given preferential treatment to elites in public office, offering tests ahead of the general public. Renato Reyes Jr., Secretary-General of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) or Bayan, criticized Pimentel and those in the administration for exploiting their privileged access to resources while others are suffering.


Reiterating the demands of many social movements, Reyes urged the government to protect frontline health workers instead of the privileged.

Many of them are sick, dying or have died. Protect our frontline health workers now. Provide adequate personal protective equipment and free testing. Government should provide a plan to #ProtectFrontlineHealthWorkers before you ask for special powers and before VIP testing.
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) March 24, 2020

Governments around the world have centralized authority and failed to provide for the needs of citizens. But also relevant is the response that citizens and social movements take to the crisis. The movements opposed to the Duterte administration’s policies are not remaining quiet.

Basic Needs Unmet in the Philippines While Duterte Exploits Emergency Powers - The News Lens International Edition

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is taking advantage of his emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic while the elites benefit. But Filipino activist groups do not remain silent.

international.thenewslens.com

 

[Saithan]

Duterte is a strange individual,impulsive,emotional,you never know what he wants tomorrow.
I dont know if he is ''untouchable'' but if not,they(Armed Forces) need to do something soon before the Philipines becomes another ''lackey'' of China.

He is a bit like RTE, but the man is a lawyer and he fixed Davao City. So while he is impulsive and all that. He lives very down to earth. I'm not kidding.

That is why he has the massive backing by population. He owns less than Ecevit did as far as I know. And Ecevit had his home and his car as as I know it

Duterte prioritizes affordable arms and such, which is why he went to China, Russia, because the US pretty much sucks them dry.

That is also one reason why PAF wants to buy Atak because it's good and affordable and they can get a good amount for the money they are willing to spend.

 

[Azull]

He is a bit like RTE, but the man is a lawyer and he fixed Davao City. So while he is impulsive and all that. He lives very down to earth. I'm not kidding.

That is why he has the massive backing by population. He owns less than Ecevit did as far as I know. And Ecevit had his home and his car as as I know it

Duterte prioritizes affordable arms and such, which is why he went to China, Russia, because the US pretty much sucks them dry.

That is also one reason why PAF wants to buy Atak because it's good and affordable and they can get a good amount for the money they are willing to spend.

Who' RTE?

Anyway, Mr. Duterte has been doing well when he was still the mayor of Davao. His commitment and solid action to combat drugs during his tenure is admirable albeit the human rights issue surrounding it.

The thing is, managing a country and managing a city is very different. The geopolitics between nation plays a big role on how one president should based his nation policy. He has made some quite embarassing and outrageous decision which affects philippine relationship with other nation. For example his decision to terminate FVA with the US only to revoke it lately in the wake of China's incursion. He's stubbornness to bow down to china in fear of aggravating them and start a nuclear war even went as far as calling himself inutile in regards with policy about China SCS issue. The philippines were supposed to get opv based on the design made by Austal Australia but failed to do so because of the harsh remarks made by Duterte regarding Australia critizism about the extrajudicial killing happening during his reign. The OPV was supposed to be funded by Australian aid. And so many more.

A lot of his minister is either corrupt or are unable to live up the expectation required for their position. Which leads the philippines in its current state of affair.

Fortunately, lately they seems to be tracing back their steps and have started to aproach their traditional allies again.

 

[Saithan]

Who' RTE?

Anyway, Mr. Duterte has been doing well when he was still the mayor of Davao. His commitment and solid action to combat drugs during his tenure is admirable albeit the human rights issue surrounding it.

The thing is, managing a country and managing a city is very different. The geopolitics between nation plays a big role on how one president should based his nation policy. He has made some quite embarassing and outrageous decision which affects philippine relationship with other nation. For example his decision to terminate FVA with the US only to revoke it lately in the wake of China's incursion. He's stubbornness to bow down to china in fear of aggravating them and start a nuclear war even went as far as calling himself inutile in regards with policy about China SCS issue. The philippines were supposed to get opv based on the design made by Austal Australia but failed to do so because of the harsh remarks made by Duterte regarding Australia critizism about the extrajudicial killing happening during his reign. The OPV was supposed to be funded by Australian aid. And so many more.

A lot of his minister is either corrupt or are unable to live up the expectation required for their position. Which leads the philippines in its current state of affair.

Fortunately, lately they seems to be tracing back their steps and have started to aproach their traditional allies again.

Recep Tayip Erdogan the President of Turkey.

I agree Duterte lacks filter and understanding of the fine politics.

But while he may have problems with corruption the same could be said about the previous administrations.

However certain things needed to change in Philippines. Just as how Trump was elected the people of Philippines have had enough of the "old guard" so to speak.

More economic freedom to different regions of Philippines to spur their growth, e.g. Mindanao which pretty much holds most of Philippines ressources and are very big. While the old guard would focus on status quo and favor Manila.

I have to say that Philippines is dependent on the aid they receive from their allies, but the country had a very good Armed Forces in the past before military dictatorship.

When I look at the current country they don't have an economy that can bear the burden of buying new equipment, and when you look at the pricetag and what they are offered it is very clear that they're being sucked dry, kept in a loop of dependence.

In short Philippines faces massive internal problems, corruption, drugs, poverty etc. and externally they face threat from Chinas claims and expansionism.

Turkey tried to sell Atak helicopter to Philippines, but the US got in the way. why ? It's just a few helicopters that will support a nation dying for these choppers for a fair price. much cheaper and than the ones US, Russia offered, and battleproven.

I hope TEI can deliver TS1400 turboshaft engine by the end of this year and we can use 2021 to configure them onto Atak. With domestic engine etc. we can export the chopper to Pakistan and Philippines without US/EU approval.

 

[Azull]

Recep Tayip Erdogan the President of Turkey.

I agree Duterte lacks filter and understanding of the fine politics.

But while he may have problems with corruption the same could be said about the previous administrations.

However certain things needed to change in Philippines. Just as how Trump was elected the people of Philippines have had enough of the "old guard" so to speak.

More economic freedom to different regions of Philippines to spur their growth, e.g. Mindanao which pretty much holds most of Philippines ressources and are very big. While the old guard would focus on status quo and favor Manila.

I have to say that Philippines is dependent on the aid they receive from their allies, but the country had a very good Armed Forces in the past before military dictatorship.

When I look at the current country they don't have an economy that can bear the burden of buying new equipment, and when you look at the pricetag and what they are offered it is very clear that they're being sucked dry, kept in a loop of dependence.

In short Philippines faces massive internal problems, corruption, drugs, poverty etc. and externally they face threat from Chinas claims and expansionism.

Turkey tried to sell Atak helicopter to Philippines, but the US got in the way. why ? It's just a few helicopters that will support a nation dying for these choppers for a fair price. much cheaper and than the ones US, Russia offered, and battleproven.

I hope TEI can deliver TS1400 turboshaft engine by the end of this year and we can use 2021 to configure them onto Atak. With domestic engine etc. we can export the chopper to Pakistan and Philippines without US/EU approval.

Ahh youre referring to Mr. Erdogan.

True. I agree with all of you points. Cant sum it better than you.

They really need to change and revised a lot of their laws and cut the red tape on their bureaucracy. They have a lot of wasted potentials.

The issue in mindanao is a bit more complicated. A lot of issues ranging from religion, inequality, and also militancy persist there. The region also still have active communist cells along with the numerous active terrorist cells. I feel sorry for them. It quite a headache to deal with those groups.