Likely Hermes 900 Drone of the PAF spotted in Cagayan De Oro

UAV Drone Spotted Flying Around in Uptown Cagayan de Oro 4K by Project LUPAD

A Drone resembling very much like the new Hermes 900 Drones of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) was spotted in Cagayan De Oro City early today, Monday, June 29, 2020.

If it is really the PAF’s Hermes 900 Drone, then it looks like they have already started deploying them in Mindanao.

As per previous reports coming from the PAF, it seems that the first 3 has already been delivered early this year (2020), and they are just waiting for the delivery of the remaining 6 aircraft.

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KT-1 Woongbi aircraft eyed as S-211 replacement

More details have come out from the South Korean News Agency News 1 of the possible sale by the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) of the KT-1 Woongbi aircraft to the Philippines.

First is that it is being eyed as a replacement for the S-211 Basic Jet Trainer (BJT) aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF). Next is that is expected to compete with the Czech Republic made L-39NG and American T-6C Texan II aircraft for the BJT role.

PN Ships around Pag-Asa Island during the Beaching Ramp Inauguration

Just some screenshots from a video taken by 24 Oras of Philippine Navy (PN) Ships around the Pag-Asa Island in the South China Sea (SCS) during the official inauguration there.

The first picture shows a Del Pilar class Vessel, could be the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) and one of our World War Two (WW2) era Vessels, plus likely the BRP Ivatan (AT-298).

The second picture shows the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) Corvette, the Philippines’ first and only Pohang class Corvette as of now.

SOURCE: 24 Oras: Beaching Ramp sa Pagasa Island, nakumpleto na matapos ang halos 3 Taon

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PN Landing Dock Acquisition Update - June 25, 2020

Some updates on the acquisition of Landing Docks (LD) of the Philippine Navy (PN), first off is that the Bidding Process for two LDs has been delayed, it is currently at the Post Qualification (PQ) Stage. No news yet on when the process will resume.

The PN also is planning to acquire more LDs in the future, but there will be changes in the Ships based on feedback by the Crews of the Tarlac class LDs  of the PN.

SOURCE: Acquisition of 2 more Landing Docks halted due to Covid-19: Navy

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PAF could be planning a Big Event in Palawan to celebrate their Anniversary this year (2020)

Pagsasanay na ginagawa ng fighter jets ng Philippine Air Force, para saan nga ba? | TV Patrol by ABS-CBN Regional

It looks like the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is planning something big to celebrate their anniversary this year (2020) as they have been flying around their S-211 and FA-50PH Fighting Eagle aircraft over Puerto Princesa in Palawan and catching the attention of the Residents there.

According to the news report and as per the Maritime Industry Authority (MIA), the PAF will be conducting some sort of a live fire exercise off the Coast of Palawan today, Thursday, June 25, 2020, so watch out for that.

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Chico River Pump Irrigation Project resumes Construction

Work on the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project which is funded by China has resumed since last month (May 2020). The Project is expected to be completed by December 2021, but China is urging the Contractors to finish the Project earlier if possible.

Once completed, the Project is expected to irrigate 8,700 hectares of farmland in Cagayan and Kalinga Provinces, create Jobs for the local Community, improve Crop Yields through the increase of the multiple Crop index and benefit up to 4,350 Households in the area

SOURCE: Chinese Embassy Manila Official Facebook Page Post, 06/23/20 - 2044H

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Duterte wants to attend the Commissioning of the BRP Jose Rizal

President Rodrigo Duterte said that he wants to be present in the commissioning of the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) Frigate, and the Philippine Navy (PN) is exploring options for it.

As Duterte himself said during a recent televised address: "I read it one week ago na nandito na. I want to board just to see how good it is. Kindly arrange the time".

SOURCE: Navy studying options to have President Duterte attend new Frigate's commissioning

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Rappler and Vera Files accepted Funds from a reported CIA Front

Just a very interesting observation of the connection of Vera Files and Rappler to an American Organization called the “National Endowment for Democracy (NED)”, which reportedly is a front of the United States’ (US) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Both Rappler and Vera Files accepted funds from the NED, and if the NED really is a CIA front then this constitutes as an interference by an Intelligence Agency of another Country.

Take note also of Maria Ressa, a Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rappler has a Dual Philippine and American Citizenship.

Just imagine if instead of the CIA, the Intelligence Agency was instead China’s Ministry for State Security (MSS) and that Ressa had a Chinese instead of American Citizenship?

What kind of a fuss would the Press and the Opposition make out of it? But since it is the CIA they will just ignore it completely?

It shouldn’t matter which Foreign Government is interfering in the Philippines, no Foreign Government should be allowed to do that, not even the US.

SOURCE: Luminous by Trixie Cruz-Angeles & Ahmed Paglinawan Facebook Page Post, 06/22/20 - 1710H

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Philippine Army displayed Replicas of Assets it intends to procure soon

The Philippine Army (PA) displayed Replicas of the assets they intend to acquire in the very near future, which includes a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Land Based Anti-Ship Missile System (LBAShMS) and a vehicle mounted Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS).

As per previous news reports, the PA is acquiring the K136 Kooryong from South Korea for its MLRS while they are interested in India's PJ-10 BrahMos for their LBAShMS.

SOURCE: King of Battle Official Facebook Page Post, 06/20/20 - 1200H

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Philippines in talks with KAI to acquire the KT-1 Woongbi

The KT-1 Woongbi, photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

As per Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) during a Demonstration Event in South Korea of the KUH-1P Surion Helicopter for South East Asian (SEA) Journalists and Dignitaries, the Philippines is reportedly in talks to acquire their KT-1 Woongbi Aircraft. 

SOURCE: KAI hotdogs for Diplomats to sell Choppers abroad

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PAF expecting the final delivery of Hermes 900 Drones from Israel

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) thru its “Lead One Today, Issue No. 1, 2020” publication announced that they are expecting the final delivery of its Hermes 900 Drones, which breaks down to 2 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and 6 Hermes 900 Drones.

This means that each UAS will control 3 Hermes 900 Drones. The PAF bought a total of 9 Hermes Drones, and if this is the final delivery then the first 3 Drones had already been delivered.

More on Sikorsky’s Armed S-70i Black Hawk Helicopter offer to the Philippines

More on the offer by Sikorsky of their Armed S-70i Black Hawk Helicopter that was initially reported by the Business Mirror news organization more than a week ago.

Sikorsky confirmed the offer will be for the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Attack Helicopter program, so it will be competing with the AH-1Z Viper and the AH-64E Apache Guardian.

The report from Flight Global also seems to indicate that the minimum number of aircraft for the PAF’s Attack Helicopter program is six aircraft.

The advantage of this offer seems to be that first, it can meet the budget of around Usd 255 million for 6 aircraft. Second, the aircraft will likely be bought from Sikorsky’s manufacturing plant in Poland, where our purchase of 16 S-70i aircraft for the Combat Utility Helicopter (CUH) program went thru smoothly.

Third, arming the aircraft could be done by the Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMMROC) which is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

So involvement with the side of the United States (US) Government will be minimal or less than compared to the offer of Viper or Apache Guardian which went thru their Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program of the US.

Economically and politically, this seems better for us, but the big question mark is the aircraft itself, it still will have some disadvantages compared to a dedicated Attack Helicopter.

For example, will Sikorsky’s offer come with a Cannon Turret similar to the 20 mm Gun on the Viper or the 30 mm Gun on the Apache Guardian?

Even if so, the Viper can hold 750 rounds of 20 mm ammo while the Apache Guardian can carry 1,200 rounds of 30 mm ammo, can the Armed S-70i come near these numbers in terms of ammo it can carry?

If it can, then it might be worth considering, but if not then that could be an issue.

SOURCE: Sikorsky to pitch Armed Black Hawk to Philippines

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FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Simulator in Pampanga - June 13, 2020

A look at the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Simulator of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Basa Air Base in Pampanga

SOURCE: Fifth Fighter Wing Facebook Post - 06/13/20, 1146H

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PAF releases Invitation to submit Quotation/Proposal for Towbar and Ammo Links for their AH-1S Cobra Helicopters

M14A2 link photo from the Eurolink Website

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) released on their official Website an Invitation to Submit a Quotation/Proposal for Towbar and M14A2 Ammunition Links for their AH-1S Cobra Helicopters.

The Towbar is used so the Helicopters can be pulled around when they are on the Ground. The ammunition links are needed so the 20 x 102 mm ammunition can be fed into the M197 Gatling Gun of the AH-1S.

SOURCE: Invitation to Submit a Quotation/ Proposal 22 June 2020

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BRP Jose Rizal Crew Member Tested Positive for Covid-19

A member of the Crew of the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) Frigate initially tested positive for the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) during a test last June 4, 2020, but the same Crew member tested negative during the second Confirmatory Test.

Despite the negative result of the second test, the whole Crew of the Ship will have to go thru a 14-day Quarantine Period. No information was given though on when the Quarantine Period will expire.

SOURCE: Philippine Navy Missile-Frigate Crew Member tests positive for COVID-19

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U.S. Government expressed “Concern” about Maria Ressa’s Conviction

The United States (US) Government has officially expressed its “concern” about the conviction of the Maria Ressa by a statement thru their State Department.

As far as I know, the US is the first and only Foreign Government that has officially done so as of now. In their statement, the US implied that Ressa’s conviction interfered with the Freedom of Expression in the Philippines.

Ressa, who is also an American Citizen, was convicted recently based on a Case filed by a Philippine Citizen.

SOURCE: On Press Freedom in the Philippines

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US Lawmakers again interfering with Philippine Internal Affairs – June 17, 2020

American Lawmakers are again interfering with the Philippines’ internal affairs, condemning the Duterte Administration and calling for the dropping of all charges against American Citizen Maria Ressa and that she be given all the opportunity to appeal the decision.

These Americans seem to be the first and only foreign Lawmakers that has so far publicly sided with Maria Ressa on the issue. The Lawmakers are Senators Edward J. Markey, Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin.

They are all Democrats and also the same ones who called for the release of Senator Leila De Lima from Prison which lead to President Rodrigo Duterte to start the termination process of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.

These American Lawmakers also does not seem to understand that Ressa was convicted due to a Case filed by a Philippine Citizen and not by the Philippine Government, and that she does in fact can and intends to appeal the Verdict.

This is again another case of the Americans constantly interfering with Philippine Affairs, if the Philippines does something they do not like then they interfere and if we ignore them, it could lead to them filing sanctions against us.

SOURCE: Statement of Senators Markey, Durbin, and Leahy on the Conviction of Journalist Maria Ressa in the Philippines

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China has already surpassed the US in Influence in SEA – CSIS Survey

A Research Organization based in Washington D.C. in the United States (US) called the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a Survey Report recently that indicated that China has already surpassed the US in terms of Political and Economic Influence in South East Asia (SEA).

According to the CSIS Report in terms of:

* POLITICAL POWER NOW:
- 94.5% of SEA Respondents say that China is one of three Countries with Political Power and Influence in SEA while only 92% said the same thing.
- In Malaysia, 100% chose China while only 84.6% chose the US.
- In the Philippines, 97% chose China while 95% chose the US.

* POLITICAL POWER 10 YEARS FROM NOW:
- 94.5% of SEA Respondents say that China is one of three Countries with Political Power and Influence in SEA 10 Years from now while only 77% said the same thing.
- In Thailand, 96.7% chose China while only 60% chose the US.
- In Malaysia, 100% chose China while only 77% chose the US.
- In Indonesia, 92.1% chose China while only 68.4% chose the US.
- In the Philippines, 92% chose China while only 82% chose the US.

* ECONOMIC POWER NOW:
- 98% of SEA Respondents say that China is one of three Countries with Economic Power and Influence in SEA now while only 70.6% said the same thing.
- 100% of Respondents from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam chose China while no SEA Country chose 100% for the US
- In the Philippines, 95% chose China while only 81% chose the US.

* ECONOMIC POWER 10 YEARS FROM NOW:
- 96% of SEA Respondents say that China is one of three Countries with Economic Power and Influence in SEA 10 years from now while only 56.7% said the same thing.
- 100% of Respondents from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam chose China while no SEA Country chose 100% for the US
- In the Philippines, 97% chose China while only 68% chose the US.

This shows that Countries in SEA with Territorial disputes with China like Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam recognize that China has more influence in the Region than the US.

You can access the report here: Powers, Norms,and InstitutionsThe Future of the Indo-Pacific froma Southeast Asia Perspective

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Lee Kuan Yew said that the Philippines’ American Style Constitution is one of the most difficult for Governments to operate in

Original image by Dinhin Rakpong-Asoke thru Flickr.

In November 1992, the former Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) gave a Speech in the Philippines wherein said that he didn’t think that South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Singapore would’ve succeeded if they had to use the same American style Constitution that the Philippines is using.

He said that a Developing Country like the Philippines needed a STRONG and HONEST Government to implement Order and Development. The Philippines’ American style Government instead resulted in a WEAK President who has had to face GRIDLOCK on every major issue he or she faces.

He attributed the United States (US) success to their overabundance of resources and an underpopulated Continent and not because of their style of Constitution.

Below is the excerpt from LKY’s Speech where he mentioned the above items: 

“One problem is the Philippines has an American-style constitution, one of the most difficult to operate in the world. There is a complete separation of powers between executive, legislature and judiciary. 

They wrote the constitution in 1787 and ratified it in 1789. They wanted a weak executive president. Having suffered at the hands of King George III of England, they wanted the opposite of a strong monarch. 

But a developing country faced with disorder and underdevelopment needs a strong honest government. A US-style constitution failed long before Marcos declared martial law. It was re-adopted in 1987 by President Aquino. 

The system worked in America because of a superabundance of resources and riches in a vast under-populated continent. I do not believe that Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Singapore could have succeeded as they have done if they had to work under such a constitution, where gridlock on every major issue is a way of life.”

You can access a full transcript of LKY’s Speech here: Speech by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Senior Minister of Singapore, at the Philippine Business Conference on 18 Nov 92 in Manila at 7:20 pm

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BRP Davao Del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz now in Manila Bay

The BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) Landing Dock (LD) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) Vessel of the Philippine Navy (PN) has arrived in the Philippines and are now in the Manila Bay.

The BRP Davao Del Sur is docked at the Manila South Harbor along with the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) and BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) Vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The BRP Alcaraz on the other hand seems to be heading out of Manila Bay.

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Tarlac class, Del Pilar class and MPAC Mk 3 Vessel image from the PN Calendar

A Tarlac class Landing Dock (LD), Del Pilar class Vessel and a Spike ER missile armed Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) Mk 3 of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Image taken from the PN 2020 Calendar

SOURCE: Philipine Navy 2020 Calendar

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The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) summary on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or otherwise known as House Bill Number 6875 prepared by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) Secretariat and the ATC-Program Management Center (PMC) dated June 8, 2020.

SOURCE: The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 FAQs

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S-70i Black Hawk Helicopter from Poland Updates - June 10, 2020

Some updates from Poland on the S-70i Black Hawk Troop Transport Helicopters we bought from them:

* First 6 of 16 S-70i Transport Helicopters will be delivered by the end of 2020.

* Poland is also offering the armed version of the S-70i Helicopter to the Philippine Air Force (PAF). They say that if chosen, they can deliver the Helicopters starting June 2022 and the remaining aircraft by 2023.

********************
A slight delay in the delivery of the S-70i Transport Helicopters, probably due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic. Initial news reports were that the first 10 of 16 were to be delivered in 2020 with the remaining 6 in 2021.

SOURCES:
* Poland stands with PHL in Defense, Development
* 10 of 16 Black Hawk Helicopters to arrive in 2020 – Air Force Chief

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Anti-Terrorism Bill (House Bill No. 6875) Primer by the ATC Secretariat and ATC-PMC

Here is a primer on the Anti-Terrorism Bill (House Bill no. 6875) prepared by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) Secretariat and the ATC-Program Management Center (PMC) dated June 8, 2020. You can download a PDF version of this here: Primer on the Anti-Terrorism Bill (HB No. 6875)

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KAAV-7 Image from the PN 2020 Calendar

The 8 new Korea Amphibious Assault Vehicles - 7 (KAAV-7) of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) that were delivered last year (2019).

Image taken from the PN 2020 Calendar

SOURCE: Philipine Navy 2020 Calendar

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Shaldag Mk V, Anti-Air and Anti-Ship Missiles for the Philippine Navy

Image taken from the PN 2020 Calendar

The Philippine Navy (PN) showed a number of items they intend to acquire for their modernization in their 2020 Calendar, and among these are the Submarine, Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) and the Fast Attack and Interdiction Craft (FAIC) which they had extensively discussed before in public.

The PN had announced in previous news reports that they intend to get the Shaldag vessels from Israel for their FAIC, the picture from the Calendar says it will be the latest version, the Shaldag Mk V.

The PN though showed in the Calendar two items they had not discussed much about before, the Shore-based Anti-Ship Missile (AShM) System and the Shore-based Anti-Air Missile System.

Featured in the image for the Shore-based AShM is the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) made by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace while for the Shore-based Anti-Air Missile System they showed the Sky Sabre made by the European company MBDA.

Since the PN has not talked much about these two Projects, we are not sure if these are what they really intend to buy, hopefully they will be discussing these more like they did with the Submarine, OPV and FAIC.

By the way, the picture used for the Submarine in the Calendar is for the Lada class Submarine, an improved version of the Kilo class Submarine made by Russia.

The PN did say before that they considered Submarines from Russia, but the last year or so had stated preference for the Scorpene class Submarines from France.

And the OPV picture is of course the one that Austal is proposing to build for the PN.

SOURCE: Philipine Navy 2020 Calendar

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Jose Rizal class Frigates Image from the PN 2020 Calendar

A Computer Generated Image (CGI) of the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) Frigates of the Philippine Navy (PN) together with their AW159 Wilcat Helicopters.

Image taken from the PN 2020 Calendar

SOURCE: Philipine Navy 2020 Calendar

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Philippine Navy 2020 Calendar

The Philippine Navy’s (PN) 2020 Calendar in JPG format. You can get the PDF version of this Calendar on the PN’s official Website here: Philippine Navy 2020 Calendar

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