Latest news with #JohnPercieAlcos
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PH to inspect Japan warships in August for possible transfer
The JS Abukuma (DE-229) is the leader of a class of destroyer escorts capable of anti submarine and anti surface warfare. JMSDF website The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said a team of experts in August will inspect the Japanese warships that are planned to be transferred to the country. 'We are sending a joint visual inspection team composed of experts from the Philippine Navy. The team is composed of surface warfare officers, sea systems experts, financial analysts, logisticians,' Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said in a press briefing. 'We'll be forwarding appropriate recommendations to General Headquarters and the Department of National Defense,' he added. The Philippine Navy earlier said the inspection is part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of the Japanese naval assets to the Philippines. 'A delegation of naval experts from the Philippine Navy will be dispatched to conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships. The outcome of this inspection will guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition and its alignment with the Philippine Navy's modernization efforts,' the Philippine Navy said. Based on a report from a Japanese media on Sunday, Tokyo is set to export six warships to the Philippines. A translated report from the Yomiuri Shimbun said Tokyo and Manila have agreed to the export of six used Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that were commissioned from 1989 to 1993. The information was revealed by 'multiple Japanese government officials,' the report said. 'Defense Minister [Gen] Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro confirmed the export of the used escort ships during a meeting in Singapore in early June. The exports are expected to consist of six Abukuma class destroyers of the [Japan Maritime Self Defense Force],' the Shimbun article reported. Classified as general-purpose destroyer escorts employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the 2,550-ton Abukuma class ships have been in service for over 30 years. Due to a shortage of navy personnel, they are being gradually retired and will be replaced by new ships that require fewer crew to operate, according to the Japanese media. 'If the export of these used destroyers is realized, it will be the first such case. The export of the destroyers aim to improve interoperability with the Philippine military and jointly strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against China, which is unilaterally advancing into the ocean,' the publication said. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- GMA Network
PH Navy ready to help in search for missing sabungeros in Taal Lake
The Philippine Navy is willing to help in the search for missing cockfighting enthusiasts or sabungeros in Taal Lake, according to its spokesperson on Tuesday. 'We are still waiting for the official request or for assistance from the Department of Justice. The Naval Special Operations Command is an elite unit of the Philippine Navy. They can be dispatched anytime, anywhere, any place,' Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said at a press briefing. 'That will depend upon the initial inspection of the area but normally, as mentioned by [Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad], who is a Navy Seal, normally, three teams are dispatched for technical diving operations,' he added. A team is normally composed of four personnel, according to Alcos. On Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said authorities are looking to start searching Taal Lake this week for the bodies of the missing sabungeros. 'We want to map it out and look at the condition so we can plan how to go about it,' he said. Asked if the authorities had specific locations in mind, Remulla said, 'Merong fishpond lease ang isang suspect na ano natin, tinutukoy natin. Bali 'yun ang ating ano... ground zero natin." (A suspect has a fishpond lease, which we are referring to. That's our ground zero.) The Philippine government has requested technical assistance from Japan. Remulla said the Philippine government is expecting a reply from Japan any time this week. Over the weekend, the Department of Science and Technology offered to lend its expertise and equipment in the search. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) likewise said it is ready to lend its forensic expertise. A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games. A whistleblower, who is also one of the accused, said the victims were already buried in Taal Lake. He named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case and also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Philippine Navy to inspect Japanese warships for possible transfer
The Philippine Navy is set to inspect Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) Abukuma-class destroyer escorts as part of ongoing discussions on a possible transfer of the warships to the Philippines. Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said a team of naval experts will be dispatched to Japan for a joint visual inspection, following an official invitation from the Japanese Ministry of Defense. 'This planned inspection forms part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of these naval assets to the Philippines,' Alcos said in a statement released Sunday. The Abukuma-class destroyers are designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare. If acquired, the vessels are expected to strengthen the Philippine Navy's maritime defense capabilities, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. The Navy said the initiative reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan, and supports both countries' commitment to maritime security, interoperability, and regional stability. The planned inspection comes after both countries ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which facilitates joint military exercises, humanitarian missions, and temporary deployment of troops by easing legal and logistical barriers. Japan has been a key defense partner of the Philippines in recent years having supplied two 97-meter multi-role response vessels, BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino, which are actively deployed in patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea.
Japan Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan eyes used warship transfer to Philippines in bid to counter China
Japan is looking to transfer secondhand Maritime Self-Defense Force Abukuma-class destroyer escorts to the Philippines, in what would mark Tokyo's first export of an entire major naval platform in decades. Such a move would come as Japan aims to boost the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors as a counter to growing Chinese military assertiveness. The Philippine Navy confirmed earlier media reports, saying in a statement Sunday that navy officials are preparing to conduct a 'joint visual inspection' of the 109 meter-long vessels, reportedly slated for later this summer, following an invitation by Japan's Defense Ministry. Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said the move would be part of 'exploratory discussions' on the possible transfer of these ships, which some refer to as guided-missile frigates. A delegation of Philippine navy experts will then be dispatched to conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships, with the outcome expected to guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition as part of the service's modernization program. The statement went on to say that the Abukuma-class vessels, which are mainly designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare and are known for their 'reliability and versatility,' align with the Philippine Navy's operational requirements. The MSDF currently operates six Abukuma-class ships, all of which entered service between 1989 and 1993. They have a crew of 120, a full-load displacement of about 2,500 tons, a top speed of 27 knots (50 kilometers per hour) and are armed with torpedoes, anti-surface missiles, a naval gun and a close-in weapons system. No details were revealed about the number of platforms Manila is considering acquiring, the potential delivery schedule or whether this would be part of a grant or government-to-government purchase. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Japan may look to turn the export into a 'joint development' project by overhauling the more than 30-year-old ships and updating them with modern systems sought by the Philippines. This would not only make sense for Manila but would make it easier for Tokyo to transfer the platforms under its current arms export rules. According to Japan's revised Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, it can only export defense equipment under strict conditions, such as when the gear is intended for rescues, transportation, vigilance, surveillance or minesweeping. Weapons platforms that are regarded as part of 'international joint development and production projects,' however, are exempted from these rules. The principles were first implemented in 1967, revised in 2014 and loosened again last year to ease the export of equipment, as Tokyo aims to help shore up the country's military industry, one of the key pillars of Tokyo's 2022 Defense Buildup Program. In the postwar era until 1967, Japan is known to have exported several warships, including tank landing ships to Indonesia. The Abukuma transfer talks come as Tokyo steps up efforts to bolster the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors, particularly Manila. The Philippines is seeking to close a significant capability gap with the Chinese Navy as the two sides remain embroiled in an intensifying territorial and maritime dispute in the South China Sea. Not only is the Philippines the only country set to become a recipient of Japan's military aid program for the fourth straight year, but it has also bought air surveillance radars from Tokyo and received over a dozen coast guard vessels. Manila is also no stranger to receiving second-hand military equipment from Japan following the provision of five TC-90 aircraft between 2017 and 2018 for use in maritime patrols, with reports now stating that the Philippine Navy is interested in acquiring even more. As the first Abukuma vessels are slated to be retired from 2027 — with the MSDF's newer Mogami-class frigates replacing them — their potential transfer to the Philippines would prove beneficial for both sides, experts say. 'This represents a momentous win-win opportunity for Japan's security relationship with the Philippines,' said John Bradford, founder and executive director of the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies. On the one hand, he said, these ships would be able to provide a relatively fast and low-cost solution to the Philippines' pressing need for naval capabilities. On the other hand, the transfer would set a precedent for Japan's more open policy toward arms exports as this would be 'a complete platform package that can defend itself, identify targets and fire with lethality.' 'Unlike a radar set, no one will mistake these warships for anything other than weapon systems being provided to the Philippines so that it can defend itself from naval aggression,' he added. 'They are made to deter and, if necessary, fight in wars.' Another advantage would be increased interoperability. 'MSDF destroyers were designed from keel up for interoperability with the rest of the Japanese and the U.S. Navy fleets,' Bradford said, something the Philippine Navy could also use to its advantage. A transfer would also give the Japanese defense industry more experience in arms codevelopment, exports and international customer service, especially should Japanese companies be tasked with upgrading and maintaining the vessels. This would provide valuable experience going forward as Tokyo also aims to export new vessels, including an upgraded version of its Mogami-class frigate to Australia that would be customized to fit local requirements. The multimission Mogami-class is currently competing with Germany's Meko A-200 for a contract to replace the Royal Australian Navy's Anzac-class frigates. A decision is expected to be announced later this year. Meanwhile, Indonesia, which has also expressed interest in the Mogami, is known to also be looking into the possibility of acquiring decommissioned Soryu-class submarines from Japan.
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Keeps American Missiles at Choke Point Near China
The Philippines, a mutual defense treaty ally of the United States, said that an American missile system capable of sinking warships will remain in the country for training purposes. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for comment via email. The Chinese defense and foreign ministries did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, is a ground-based launcher equipped with two missiles designed to target enemy ships. It is part of the U.S. Marine Corps' maritime strategy in the Pacific, where China is expanding its naval presence. The American anti-ship missile system was first deployed to the Philippines in late April for Exercise Balikatan 2025 and remained in the country for Exercise KAMANDAG 9 in late May. It participated in the drills from the Philippines' Batanes Islands in the Luzon Strait. The waterway located north of the Philippines serves as a key gateway through the First Island Chain for China's naval deployments into the broader Pacific. The island defense line, comprising Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, is designed to keep China's navy in check. Captain John Percie Alcos, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, said on Tuesday that the NMESIS remains in the country, where it will be used to train the Philippine Marine Corps. He declined to disclose the location of the U.S. missile system, citing operational security. The announcement comes after a pair of Chinese aircraft carriers, the CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong,transited near the Philippines for deployments beyond the First Island Chain. Without naming a specific country, the official said that the presence of the NMESIS, capable of striking targets over 115 miles away, serves as a deterrent to those who intend to conduct "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions" against the Philippines. The Philippines has territorial disputes with China over maritime features in the South China Sea, often resulting in confrontations and clashes between their naval forces. Washington has reaffirmed its security commitment to Manila under a 1951 mutual defense treaty. The NMESIS became the second U.S. missile system stationed in the Philippines following joint exercises. A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system has remained in the Southeast Asian country "indefinitely" after participating in a drill in April last year. Captain John Percie Alcos, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, at a press briefing on Tuesday: "The NMESIS will remain here in our country for as long as training opportunities are still there for us, for us to use that particular military equipment so that our Marines can better conduct combined operations with their counterparts." The U.S. Third Marine Division, in a press release in April: "The NMESIS provides [the U.S. Third Marine Littoral Regiment] with enhanced sea denial capability, deepens naval integration, and strengthens deterrence by extending the Joint Force's ability to target and engage from both land and sea. In the Philippines, the NMESIS will also aid in shaping defensive capabilities in accordance with the [the Armed Forces of the Philippines]'s coastal defense strategy." It remains to be seen whether the Philippines will consider acquiring the NMESIS to counter threats posed by the Chinese navy, the world's largest by hull count. The U.S. has been equipping its Pacific allies and partners with various types of anti-ship missile systems. Related Articles Video Shows Chinese 'Militia' Ship Near US Ally's Disputed TerritoryFootage Shows Chinese Ships Near US Ally's Disputed Island BaseVideo Shows US Ally Confronting China in Contested WatersUS Ally Sends Strong Warning to China 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
