Latest news with #PhilippineNavy
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
BRP Sierra Madre crew in Ayungin Shoal safe amid bad weather — PH Navy
The crew of BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal are secured and safe despite the impact of the bad weather, according to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday. Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said rough seas and above normal wind conditions were reported in WPS (West Philippine Sea) features. 'In our latest communication with our troops, including our nine features, they are fine. The sea has been rough, the winds have been above normal but the overall condition of the troops to include those on BRP Sierra Madre, they are safe and they are secured,' he said. According to him, there are enough supplies for the crew of BRP Sierra Madre. 'The last rotary for BRP Sierra Madre was 20th of June. The supplies are designed to last more than the next rotary that is scheduled. This will also cover the other eight features,' Trinidad said. 'The military always has more than enough supplies for the projected rotation or next rotation missions,' he added. Trinidad said there is no data available yet on the updated number of Chinese vessels in the area. But he said 'historically because of weather disturbances, these numbers drastically drop.' The World War II-era BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory. Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands. It is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the Philippines 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Floods, heavy traffic, floating trash reported amid Habagat rains in NCR
The effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat caused flooding, heavy traffic, and floating debris in some areas in Metro Manila on Tuesday, according to reports on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita. In Manila, commuters and motorists faced knee-deep floods on Roxas Boulevard, P. Ocampo Street, UN Avenue, and Kalaw Avenue, Katrina Son reported. Commuters spent a longer time getting a ride as jeepneys and buses were already fully loaded. Some vehicles were also seen passing through the floods. The Philippine Navy deployed their vehicles to aid stranded people. In Quezon City, trash covered the flooded areas on G. Araneta Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, and Quezon Avenue going to E. Rodriguez Avenue. Plastics and woods were floating in the floods. Residents were having difficulty passing the affected streets. Some people woke up early to scavenge in the area. Caught in a video, a kid was rescued after getting washed away by the strong current of flood and falling into a hole of a road repair site in Batasin Hills. In Valenzuela City, the floods reached up to the second floor of some houses near Tullahan River, according to a report of Susan Enriquez. Around 800 people with their pets evacuated to Valenzuela National High School in Barangay Marulas. The power supply in the school was interrupted. In Marikina City, the water level in Marikina River reached 18.7 meters around 1 a.m., which prompted the raising of the third alarm status, according to a report of EJ Gomez. Under the third alarm, forced evacuation of residents near the river or in low-lying areas will be imposed. Some rescuers from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reminded concerned residents of the mandatory evacuation. As of 12:45 a.m., a total of 22,104 residents were staying in 36 evacuation centers. Vehicles near the river were moved and parked on the bridge. At 5:23 a.m., the water level went down to 17.7 meters, then at 6 a.m., the water level was at 17.5 meters, according to the Marikina Public Information Office. In North Luzon Expressway, slow traffic was observed on the southbound lane at the Valenzuela exit due to vehicles that broke down in the middle of the chest-deep flood, Ivan Mayrina reported. Tow trucks already responded to the area. Pot holes were also seen on the road that also affected the flow of traffic. On the northbound lane, some vehicles were passing through the flood. Some vehicles were also stuck at the Meycauayan toll plaza, according to a report of Jhomer Apresto. The toll plaza was closed around 9:00 a.m. on Monday and reopened at 12:54 a.m. on Tuesday. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- GMA Network
P11M alleged smuggled cigarettes seized off Basilan
The Philippine Navy seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth nearly P11.5 million in Basilan. Personnel of the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) intercepted a motorized banca allegedly transporting undocumented cigarettes approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Kauluan Island in Basilan. WMNC said the vessel had four crew members on board and loaded with around 194 master cases of cigarettes. Authorities said the cargo was believed to be heading to Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay from Jolo, Sulu. The items confiscated and the crew members were turned over to law enforcement units for investigation. The vessel, on the other hand, was towed due to engine trouble and brought to the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon in Zamboanga City. 'This operation highlights WMNC's continued commitment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) and its support for maritime law enforcement efforts in partnership with other agencies to combat smuggling and transnational crimes within the Philippine maritime domain,' WMNC said. (With reports from Efren Mamac, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
Chinese warships approach PH-US exercise off Zambales
The Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Suluan sail alongside the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur during a joint exercise off the Zambales as seen from the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Miguel Malvar on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. GMA INTEGRATED NEWS Chinese warships approached and issued a radio challenge to Philippine vessels that were conducting joint exercises with the United States Navy off the Zambales coast. According to Chino Gaston's Wednesday report on '24 Oras,' the ships that took part in the exercise were the BRP Miguel Malvar, the Philippine Navy's newest frigate purchased from South Korea, the US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Suluan. Meanwhile, the People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Jiangkai class frigate with bow number 551 and Jiangdao Corvette with bow number 646 were observed shadowing the joint exercise. The Chinese warships were accompanied by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel with bow number 4203. According to the Philippine Navy, the Chinese warships approached BRP Malvar to a distance of three to four nautical miles, but these later came nearer to the smaller PCG vessels. The Chinese also conducted a radio challenge but did not repeat it. ''Yung activity natin with the Philippine Coast Guard is very important because every time na mag-operate ang Coast Guard natin, we always support 'yong law enforcement ng Coast Guard,' said Lieutenant Commander Bryan Magura, the operations officer of the Malvar. (Our activity with the PCG is very important because we always support the Coast Guard every time they conduct their law enforcement activities.) 'So we are here to show that the coordination and interoperability with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, to include 'yung partner nations natin, is enhanced and improved (to include our partner nations in enhancing and improving our operations),' he added. The division tactics exercise began at around 1 p.m. where the training focused on various sailing formations. In all maneuvers, the two PCG ships were in the middle of the formation. From the Malvar's flight deck, its Agusta Westland helicopter took off to observe from the sky and take photos. Two PCG vessels participated in the multilateral cooperative activity along with the Philippine and US navies in preparation for future missions where they need to be accompanied by warships. This is the eighth maritime multilateral cooperative activity (MCA) the Philippines has had with allied countries. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, these military exercises will continue, along with adding more Philippine Navy ships and more allied countries that support the Philippines' defense of its exclusive economic zone — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
US to build Philippine boat repair facilities near contested South China Sea
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A Philippine Navy ship is seen anchored at a naval facility in Oyster Bay in the western province of Palawan. – The US Navy plans to build two repair facilities for smaller vessels operating in the western Philippines, with one about 240km east of a fiercely contested reef in the South China Sea. Located in the Spratly archipelago, Second Thomas Shoal hosts a small detachment of Philippine forces aboard a grounded navy vessel and has been the site of clashes with Chinese ships . Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit. The US government's contracting website, locates one of the proposed repair facilities in Palawan province's Quezon municipality. The facilities 'will provide repair and maintenance capabilities for a variety of (Philippine) vessels, including 7.32m watercraft, as well as other smaller conventional watercraft', the bid notice for the Quezon project reads. The Philippines owns several vessels that size, including rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) that have been involved in clashes with larger Chinese ships. While there are not believed to be existing permanent military facilities in Quezon, the area has hosted parts of joint US-Philippine military exercises for the past two years. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore Strong argument for cockpit video recording, says Iata chief in wake of Air India crash report Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Life S'pore travel agency Beyond Expeditions criticised for planning, safety issues Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Singapore Jail for drunken man who shoved stranger into Singapore River, causing him to drown Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief The US embassy in Manila confirmed the tender on July 16 for both the Quezon project and a similar one to be constructed at the Philippines' existing Oyster Bay naval facility about 130km north. Officials from the Defence Ministry did not immediately provide comment. Retired Philippine Admiral Rommel Jude Ong, now a military analyst with the Ateneo de Manila University, said such facilities could be used 'for RHIBs, but more likely for smaller rubber boats used in the resupply of occupied features'. The Philippines and the United States have deepened their defence cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing's sweeping South China Sea claims. AFP
