Latest news with #RonnieGilGavan
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG sends 2 vessels to escort Atin Ito civilian mission to West PH Sea
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said it has deployed two of its vessels to escort Atin Ito Coalition's civilian-led mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from May 26 to 30. PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela identified the two vessels as BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua. 'Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking barko ng PCG, ay umalis na sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan patungo sa El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido,' he said in a press briefing. (Yesterday, BRP Melchora Aquino, one of the largest ships of the PCG, departed Puerto Princesa, Palawan heading to El Nido. This afternoon, it will be arriving at El Nido.) 'And for the other vessel na sinabi ni [Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan] na ipapadala namin, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan,' he added. (And for the other vessel that the Commandant said we will send, BRP Malapascua is also prepositioned as well in El Nido, Palawan.) Atin Ito, over the weekend, said its civilian-led mission to the WPS will continue despite the recent aggression of Chinese vessels in Sandy Cay. 'We proceed as planned, and we hope to conduct our musical event, ideally and safely within the vicinity of Pag asa Island. Ang dala natin ay kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng musika, hindi lenguwahe ng giyera,' Atin Ito Coalition convenor Rafaela David said in a statement. (What we bring is peace through music, not the language of war.) A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon and sideswiped a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the WPS on May 22. BFAR said its BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya were on a routine mission with a scientific team to collect sand samples in the area. 'At approximately 0913H, CCG vessel 21559 water cannoned and sideswiped the BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV 3002) twice, resulting in some damage to the latter's port bow and smokestack, and putting at risk lives of its civilian personnel onboard,' BFAR said. 'This incident marks the first time water cannons have been used against DA-BFAR research vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays,' it added. The bureau pointed out that the incident happened within the territorial sea of the Philippines in the area of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2, which are part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the WPS. CCG said that it took "control measures" against the Philippine vessels which it said "illegally intruded" into waters near Subi Reef and Sandy Cay. Liu Dejun, the CCG spokesperson, claimed that one of the Philippine vessels "dangerously" approached and collided with their ship, and that responsibility "lies entirely" with the Philippine side. 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. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PCG to acquire 40 units of fast patrol craft from France
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said 40 units of 35-meter fast patrol craft will be acquired from French shipbuilding company OCEA to expand its operations amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a statement, the PCG said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the French shipbuilding company signed the contract on Thursday. 'As part of the PCG Modernization Program, the agreement formalized the acquisition of 40 high-speed multi-role vessels, which are expected to enhance the PCG's maritime presence and rapid response capabilities nationwide,' the PCG said. The acquisition of new assets is done through a government-to-government financing agreement under the Agreement on Financial and Development Cooperation (AFDC) between the Philippines and France. PCG chief Admiral Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the high-speed vessels promote self-reliance in naval shipbuilding as 20 of the 40 units of FPC will be constructed locally. This will help the domestic maritime industry, jobs creation, and technology transfer, Gavan said. According to the PCG, the acquisition of fast patrol craft is supported by a nine-year Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) plan to ensure sustained operational readiness and long-term asset maintenance. With these assets, the PCG said the responses to maritime threats like illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy, and maritime terrorism will be faster and more effective. The interoperability of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and international partners will also improve. These assets will also serve as rapid deployment platforms for rescue, relief, and emergency operations during natural disasters and maritime incidents. 'These assets will be utilized to advance President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr's directive to the PCG to expand its operations amid complex maritime challenges, such as the growing maritime traffic, rising incidents of illegal activities at sea, and tensions in the WPS,' the PCG said. The contract signing ceremony was graced by French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, DOTr Secretary Vivencio Dizon, PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan PCG, and OCEA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Roland Joassard. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
NHK
22-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Philippines seeks ASEAN support on maritime security
The Philippines is hosting a three-day dialogue to seek cooperation from ASEAN member countries on maritime security amid the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea. About 100 Southeast Asian foreign policy experts, government officials, and next generation leaders gathered for an opening event on Wednesday. The lead organizer is a Philippine-based research group. Government partners include the Philippine Coast Guard. Coast Guard chief Ronnie Gil Gavan said the event is dedicated to exploring "pressing issues that transcend our borders, among them, cooperation on maritime security, conflict prevention, sustainable governance, and the collective pursuit of lasting peace and stability across the Southeast Asian waters." The dialogue comes days before ASEAN leaders hold a summit in Malaysia early next week. The 10 member nations have differing opinions on resolving the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. In the summit last year in Laos, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on his counterparts "not to turn a blind eye to the aggressive, coercive, and illegal actions" of China in the disputed waters.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Philippines adds speedy warship to maritime arsenal
The Philippines took possession of the first of two corvette-class warships with "advanced weapons and radar systems" on Tuesday as it faces growing pressure from Beijing in the disputed South China Sea. The arrival of the 3,200-ton BRP Miguel Malvar is part of a two-ship deal with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021. Its sister ship, the BRP Diego Silang, was formally launched in Ulsan, South Korea, last month but has yet to begin the journey to the Philippines. Corvettes are small, fast warships mainly used to protect other vessels from attack. The arrival of the ship marked "a critical step toward developing a self-reliant and credible defense posture", the Philippine defence department said in a statement. It follows months of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit. "(The) Miguel Malvar is here today not only to serve as a deterrent and protector of our waters but also as an important component in joint and combined operations" with allies, Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro said at a Subic Bay naval base ceremony. The deal for the two ships was first unveiled in 2021, five years after Hyundai Heavy Industries had won a contract to build two new frigates for the Philippine Navy. The military said last month that the two corvettes would "significantly enhance the country's naval capabilities amid growing security challenges in the West Philippine Sea". On Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard separately welcomed the donation of 20 Australian surveillance drones its commander said could extend its vessels' coverage area by a "significant distance". Using drones will "save fuel and it will be less risky for our people", Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan said at a ceremony in coastal Bataan province. The Philippines has been deepening ties with allies and more aggressively pushing back on Beijing's sweeping South China Sea claims since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022. In December, Manila said it planned to acquire the US mid-range Typhon missile system in a push to secure its maritime interests. Beijing warned such a purchase could spark a regional "arms race". Last week, the United States said it had approved the possible sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, though Manila said the deal was "still in the negotiation phase". pam-cwl/dhw
