Shipbuilding Issues 2016

MMARITIMEARITIME RREVIEWEVIEW A Publication of The Maritime League

Issue No. 16-3 May-June 2016 CONTENTS

2 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 CONTENTS Contents

The Maritime League  Feature Story 7 CHAIRMAN EMERITUS The Warship: Design Hon. Fidel V. Ramos and Construction Parameters ...... 7 HONORARY CHAIRMAN Hon. Joseph Emilio A. Abaya  Proﬁ les TRUSTEE AND PRESIDENT Commo. Carlos L. Agustin AFP (Ret) Remembering 10 TRUSTEE AND VICE PRESIDENT VADM Mariano J. Dumancas, Jr...... 10 Herminio S. Esguerra TRUSTEE AND TREASURER RAdm. Margarito V. Sanchez AFP (Ret)  Chairman’s Page

TRUSTEE AND AUDITOR Shipbuilding Issues 2016 ...... 12 Edgar S. Go TRUSTEES  Maritime Events 14 Plaridel M. Abaya Vicente F. Aldanese , Jr. Doris Teresa M. Ho Maritime Events Calendar ...... 14 Hector E. Miole VAdm. Eduardo Ma R. Santos AFP (Ret) Alberto H. Suansing  Maritime Law Commo. Gilbert D. Rueras PCG (Ret) Delfi n J. Wenceslao Philippine Vulnerabilities 15 SECRETARY in its Rift with China ...... 15 Atty. David R. Simon

ASSISTANT SECRETARY  Maritime Safety John Paul D. Agustin The 2nd Annual Ferry Maritime Review and Safety Conference 2016 ...... 18 19 EDITORIAL BOARD  Shipbuilding Chairman Capt. Winston G. Arpon PN (Ret) The Port Authority of Aalesund’s Vice Chairman New “Swiss Army Knife” ...... 19 RAdm. Quiricio Evangelista AFP (Ret) Members  National Aﬀ airs 21 Commo. Mariano S. Sontillanosa AFP (Ret) VAdm. Emilio C. Marayag AFP (Ret) Capt. Tomas D. Baino PN (Ret) Continuing Uncertainties ...... 21

Editor Vicky Viray-Mendoza  Maritime Security

Th e Maritime Review is published bimonthly The Philippine Navy should on behalf of the Maritime League and is sup- 25 plied to members as a part of their annual start acquiring submarines, membership package. Th e opinions expressed no matter how low tech. by the writers do not necessarily refl ect those of the Maritime League Is this a good start, or what? ...... 25

 PNSLAI Compound  Bonifacio Naval Station (BNS) Marine Environment Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 2 Marine Turtles and the  www.maritimeleague.com Philippine Forest Turtle ...... 26  [email protected]

 +63 (2) 579-9618 MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 3 CONTENTS

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*UHHQ&LUFOH3URSHUWLHV&RUSā8QLW'(TXLWDEOH%DQN7RZHUā3DVHR'H5R[DV$YHā0DNDWL&LW\ā 4 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 EDITORIAL

IN THIS ISSUE….. Hot and Fresh. Just in case you haven’t heard, this is true: for every MR, an MBF. For every Mari me Review, there is a Mari me Breakfast Forum, a Mari me Lunch Forum occasionally, depending on the calendar or gastronomic preference of the MBF host. The fi rst copies of the Review in the hands of the a endees of the Forum, hot off the press or fresh off the boat, as in the case of our last issue when both MR 16-2 and a endees to MBF 110 were on the same boat from the Manila Yacht Club to Kamaya Point, Mariveles, courtesy of the host, the Mari me Academy of Asia and the Pacifi c and its genial Vice Admiral Eduardo Mar Santos AFP (Ret). This one, MR 16-3, should be in the hands of the a endees of MBF 112; yes, hot off the press but not fresh off the boat, in spite of the fact that the host is the Philippine Navy.  Ques ons, Ques ons. Will the Philippines follow in the wake of Japan in the ‘50s as well as in the late ‘50s thru the 90s in leveraging shipbuilding as a major engine of growth of the Philippine na onal economy? If and when the government fi nally decides to do so - avail of the capability of local shipyards to build naval surface combatant ships for the Philippine Navy in lieu of engaging foreign shipyards - what must the local shipyards and shipbuilding ancillary industries know fi rsthand to be adequately prepared for such decision? No, Victoria, these ques ons do not come from the same source nor from the same ar cle in this issue. The fi rst one, Commodore Carlos L. Agus n AFP (Ret), asks in our regular feature, Chairman’s Page, where the ML chair dwells on “Mari me Issues 2016.” The second, Captain Tomas D. Baino PN (Ret) asks in his introduc on to this issue’s cover story, where the naval architect and former commander of the Naval Shipbuilding Facility of the Naval Sea Systems Command of the Philippine Navy writes on “The Warship: Design and Construc on Parameters.”  Another Ques on. It’s a ques on simpler than Commodore Agus n’s or Captain Baino’s: What do you think? Through this feature which could be a regular one in future Reviews if/when we obtain posi ve feedback, we ask our readers what they think about the Philippine Navy having a submarine, even as low-tech as the caricature shown on the page. And to help them along with their thoughts and feedback, Commodore Carlos Agus n shares his experience on the subject while he was in ac ve naval service.  Certain Uncertain es. He was upbeat the last me Up Periscope had its sight on General Fidel V. Ramos AFP (Ret), former President three Dutertes ago – and of course, Chairman Emeritus of the Mari me League. And for good reason. MR 16-2 was published in February, the month of EDSA and naturally, the photo that came with Word from FVR came with a photo of his victory - his patented jump we called LEDSA, Lundag EDSA. Hardly upbeat in this issue, he is certain about con nuing uncertain es throughout the world, dissec ng them in two parts: one, military dangers and economic risks; two, environmental calami es, military threats and other risks. In his conclusion, however, he off ers some silver lining. Using his o -quoted catchphrase, “Kaya Na n Ito!” FVR asserts that the Philippines, its very technically profi cient young professionals in par cular, could play a major role in fi gh ng mankind’s enemies in the 21st century. Bureau of Coast Guard and Transporta on under the Department of Commerce and Police. August 6, 1967. The Philippine Congress enacted Republic Act 5173 crea ng the Philippine Coast Guard as a major unit of the Philippine Navy. February 12, 2010. The Philippine Coast Guard was created as a separate service with the approval of Republic Act 9993. Three milestone dates in PCG history, the transi on between the la er two dates, the subject of the ar cle of Rear Admiral William M Melad

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 5 EDITORIAL

PCG, Remembering VADM Mariano J. Dumancas Jr. VAdm Dumancas passed away the other month. RAdm Melad remembers him and his “statesmanship and professionalism” as FOIC of the Philippine Navy that “clinched the deal” for the separa on of PCG from the Philippine Navy, of course, along with so many others, notably the President and Commander-in-Chief, Fidel V. Ramos.  AND MORE….. The 3rd edi on of Marine Philippines 2016, Shipbuild Philippines 2016, Off shore Philippines 2016 will be held on June 6-8 at the SMX Conven on Center (see ad in this issue). Booth 200 fl anked by the booth of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard will be occupied by an exhibitor with this company profi le: A non-profi t organiza on established in 1990, The Mari me League advances, in tandem with government agencies concerned, the interests of the Philippine mari me community: the shipping sector and allied industries; mari me educa on and training ins tu ons; merchant mariners; and, other major stakeholders in the mari me component of the country’s development. It produces The Mari me Review, a magazine that covers ma ers on these interests. Allied with it, is The Mari me Forum, whose membership comprise some members of The Mari me League, and selected representa ves from the public and the private sector of the mari me community. The Forum conducts regular monthly conferences for discussion and repor ng on issues, concerns and other ma ers relevant to the Philippine mari me community. Yes, Victoria, that’s us! Perchance you’re one of our readers with an eagle eye and no ce the change in date of the 1st Mari me League Golf Tournament (see Save the Date in this issue}, that is not a typo error. Indeed, the date has been changed to October 14 from October 21. And yes, Victoria the Mari me Review has go en itself a Business Manager. Her name: Dorcas Apud. Dorcas isn’t a typo error either.   

6 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 COVER STORY The Warship: Design and Construction Parameters By Capt. Tomas D. Baino PN (Ret.), Naval Architect, PRC Reg. 222 with Capt. Winston G. Arpon PN (Ret)

he suggestion has been heard climatic conditions prevailing in the platform needed, future growth and quite oft en from the local area of operation. integration of the platform to the shipbuilding community fl eet, doctrine development, etc.; T Design and Selection Considerations that the Philippine government should • Budget – Capital Outlay needed to avail of the capability of local ship- Th e design of a warship follows a procure, support and maintain the yards to build naval surface combatant rigorous set sequence of events: ship from the budgetary require- ships for the Philippine Navy in lieu of ments for the next 15 years (midlife engaging foreign shipyards. If and when First Stage - Naval Staff Requirement. refi t) and 30 years (disposal stage). the government fi nally decides to do Prepared by naval staff concerned, Etc.; so, what must the local shipyards and the requirements cover the following. shipbuilding ancillary industries know • Ships and Yards – Drydocking fi rsthand to be adequately prepared for • Intelligence – Identifying the such decision? possible threat weapons, composition of the probable adversary, About the Author During the Shipbuilding and strength, strategy and tactics, He a ended training at Blomh and Maritime Exhibition /Symposium in climatic condition, prevailing sea Voss, a German Shipbuilder in Hamburg, June last year at the SMX Convention condition, etc.; Germany building Frigates and Destroyers Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City which of Meko (Modular Construc on) was attended by representatives from • Personnel – Manning require- Design. Therea er, he acquired further these industries, MARINA requested ments, strength, budget, types of training and experience ship surviv- this author for a presentation on some training, ratings needed, etc.; ability and seakeeping analysis at the Hydrodynamics Laboratory of the United parameters for the design and construc- • Operations – Operational require- tion of a warship ostensibly for the Kingdom Defense Evalua on Research ments stated in broad terms, such agency (DERA) in Southampton and purpose of developing awareness and as ratings, location of operating Hasslar United Kingdom of Great Britain knowledge and prepare them to under- base, composition of forces, force under the sponsorship of UK Ministry of take shipbuilding projects for the Navy mix, weapons on anti-air, anti- Defense, and Electronic Warfare training in the future. surface and anti-submarine, lay- STN Atlas of Bremen, Germany and INDRA in Madrid, Spain. Th e warship, an intricate system ered defense, off ense, independent operating in a very complex environ- patrol or as a part of a larger task As Commander of the Naval ment made hostile by man in the words group, tidal fl ows, sea current and Shipbuilding Facility of the Naval Sea of British Navy Admiral of the Fleet depth, the likelihood of severe Systems Command of the Philippine Navy, he worked with the Technical Assistance Lord Chatfi eld, “must be built to fi ght swell or cross seas, distance to the Team (TAT) of the Navy Division, Joint US and must be able to take some level of nearest natural shelter and suitable anchorage, patrol area in square Military Advisory Group Technician and blows as well as to receive them”. It must Engineers from Pearl Harbor Shipyard miles, prevailing sea condition, be able to sail to an area at sea in order and Calderock Small Combat Cra in to exert her infl uence and show the climatic extreme, etc.; Virginia USA. During his tenure, the Naval sovereign power of a nation. A warship • Logistics – Identifying in broad Shipyard undertook the co-produc on must therefore be designed for the eff ec- terms the integrated logistic sup- of 21 units of 78 Aluminum Hull patrol gunboats – presently the workhorse of tive control of the maritime sea lanes, port requirements such as budget the PN in internal defense - from Halter exerting her infl uence to certain areas at for the training, logistic support sea and denying expected hostile forces Marine of New Orleans, USA: the ﬁ rst 12 to sustain operation, fuel, lube units built in USA, the second by AG&P the use and access of those areas. oil, dry-docking, spare parts, am- in Batangas and the last one built in the Th e modern warship is fi rst and munition, ordnance, and other Naval Shipyard in Cavite City. Other of his foremost a weapons platform that quartermaster items, etc.; projects include the Patrol Cra Escort must perform the role of fi ghting with (PCE) retroﬁ t program and the re-engine • Plans & Programs – Specifi cations project of the three PN capital ships. suffi cient seaworthiness to endure the on the number and strength of

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 7 COVER STORY

requirements, berthing, shore power, refuelling, ship husbandry, sustainment, propulsion, economy of operation, survivability, operating profi le, etc.; • Combat System/Communication – Sensors and combat system requirements, ordnance, repair and maintenance, suppression of signature threshold, electronic warfare capability, weapon, etc.; and, • Civil Military Operation – military operation other than War (MOOTW) search and rescue, disaster relief response, etc. Second Stage – Formulation of the design concept. Stated in broad terms of worthiness at sea and in battle, the design concept is formulated on the basis of a long list of factors that include but not limited to these: the char- HMS Ardent hit by Exocet Anti-Ship Missile from Argentine Air Force, acteristics of expected threat; eff ect of successful attack to May 21, 1982. Photo credit: www.ausairpower.net the warship; susceptibility of the warship to various signature threshold; vulnerability elimination; recoverability; survivability; speed and power and economy of operation; maintainability; off ensive and defensive capability in anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine weaponry; electronic warfare capability (electronic surveillance measures and countermeasures); ship system and sub-system reliability; detailed combat system capabilities tabulation and eff ectiveness; capability to defeat coordinated multiple attacking threats; life cycle cost; operating profi le. Items that are known as the Circular of Requirements. Th ird Stage – Formulation of the technical specifi cations and fi nal blueprint. At this stage, the shipyard designer and technician in hull, propulsion, weapons engineer, electronics engineer, logistician, and others formulate the preliminary and HMS Sheﬃ eld hit by Exocet Anti-Ship Missile from Argentine Air Force, fi nal technical specifi cation and prepare the blueprint for April 2, 1982 building the warship, covering these: hull and superstruc- ture; propulsion; auxiliaries; outfi tting; sensors; weapons; habitability; navigation and electronics; communications; life-saving equipment; integrated logistic support COEIAS An acronym for Combined Operational Eff ectiveness and Investment Appraisal Study, it is an important parameter in warship design - the comparative evaluation and matching of capabilities of variety of sensors, weapons, speed and power, compartmentation, protection of the crew and vital equipment and the capability and capacity to defeat the incoming threat in terms of target acquisition, reduction of ship signature threshold matched against threat from the surface submarine and air. COEIAS encompasses the evaluation and assessment of the best option on the desired or requisite operational eff ectiveness versus cost implications to operate and maintain the overall systems for the next 30 USS Stark hit by two Exocet missiles from Iraqi Sky Hawk in May 17, years. 1987. Photo credit: http://www.defraudingamerica.com/

8 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 COVER STORY

Survivability design to enhance ship survivability: to each zones and should have own independent fi re fi ghting unit, Recent confl ict at sea such as in the • Concentration – systems and smoke control, armor protection, Falkland war in 1982 and the Gulf war sub-system components should be ventilation system, etc. in 1991 have recorded that modern co-located in the smallest possible warships, in spite of sophisticated sensors space and volume to reduce the • Reduction of ship signature and active/off ensive weapon system can chance of being hit and damage; threshold – is the means to avoid still be badly hit and damaged. being hit by ordnance or guided • Duplication weapon towards attraction to exces- Vividly grim – system and sub- sive signature threshold of the ship. pictures of the ...whether it is a system are installed aft ermath of recent parameter or not but in parallel arrange- Life Cycle Cost confl icts at sea, ment for the reason certainly applicable Th e pre-determination cost of a the Falkland War of availability reli- warship is a must, to establish the in 1982 and the in the design and ability and main- budgetary requirements needed by the Gulf War in 1992 tainability of some construction of a navy throughout the life cycle of the demonstrating critical equipment; the importance warship as it is in many, warship – build, maintain, operate, of ship design to if not all, that we do – • Separation – sustain, retrofi t-/mid-life refi t all the way duplication of some to its disposal. Th is will provide good withstand damage, Doing It “Right First must remain fresh critical equipment, overview, a good measure of the magni- in the minds of two Time.” sub-systems which tude and budget implication to the fl eet. can provide similar of the powerful And on a fi nal note, whether it is a function should be navies of the world: parameter or not but certainly appli- separated from each other. • MS Antelope hit by Exocet Anti- cable in the design and construction Ship Missile from Argentine Air • Protection – provisions to resist of a warship as it is in many, if not all, Force, April 2, 1982; the spread of damaged to critical that we do – Doing It “Right First Time.” • HMS Coventry hit by bombs from areas which are vital to ship op- Otherwise, the warship that was built Argentine Air Force, May 25, 1982; eration., to include watertight to be an asset to the fl eet becomes a • HMS Ardent hit by Exocet Anti- compartmentation; liability, a veritable white elephant the fl eet can and ought to do without.  Ship Missile from Argentine Air • Zoning – vital services are grouped Force, May 21, 1982; • HMS Sheffi eld hit by Exocet Anti- Ship Missile from Argentine Air Force, April 2, 1982; • USS Cole hit by explosives from the Al-Qaeda terrorist October 12, 2000; • USS Robert listing to port aft er being hit by mines at the Persian Gulf on 14 April 1988; • USS Stark hit by two Exocet missiles from Iraqi Sky Hawk in May 17, 1987. Current and future operational scenarios point to destructiveness in the modern confl ict at sea, given the advancing technology in sensors and guided weapons system. Survivability of a warship would depend on the reduction of susceptibility to being hit by minimizing the so-called ship signature, the elements such as acoustics, emis- sions, etc. that the enemy use to track and infl ict extreme damage to the warship. Th ese are some techniques of ship

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 9 ML TRUSTEES – SPECIAL FEATURE Remembering VADM Mariano J. Dumancas, Jr. by RADM William M Melad PCG

he idea of giving credit where strategy, Mr. President.” at hand. Th ey are: LCdr. Normando credit is due on the separation D. Naval (CGTC), LCdr. Amable C. “So what strategy could work? What of the Coast Guard from the Tolentino, Cdr. Victor S. Villacorta, LT. T is your plan?” Navy came about when I got the sugges- Damian L. Carlos, LCdr. Roberto V. tion last year that we should award Agustin: “Simple Sir; convince the Garcia, Cdr. Sesinando G. Perez, and VAdm. Mariano J. Dumancas Jr. (FOIC, Navy fi rst.” Cdr. Lucio T. Ibanez. PN1990-93) with a citation for exactly I was Chief, Production Branch of agreeing to help achieve that result in Th e President had no hesitation, as O/CG2 at that time and was tasked with 1992. he immediately understood not only the failure of PD 601 but also the idea reviewing the paper, but of course much I missed to include that idea in our of alienating aff ected crucial players by of it had been edited by no less than 2015 Coast Guard Day program, and not involving them in decision making, Commo. Agustin himself. Our offi ce regretted this so, especially when I from his long years dealing with orga- was also tasked to prepare the visual learned about the demise of the former nizations and bureaucrats. Aft er all, he aids. At that time, there was no Power FOIC, PN on 2 April, 2016. had been known as “Mr. CSW” in the Point yet and the common visual aids entire government in reference to many were transparencies and carousel slides. Coast Guard separation? returned letters and studies asking the Commo. Agustin, however, wanted a Yes, indeed. Who would have cabinet members and bureaucrats to do more “high-tech” presentation, and so thought that this man had something “Completed Staff Work.” He replied, we made a Storyboard which was the to do with that? Ask Commo. Chuck “Th at would work. If you can do it, I will forerunner of today’s Power Point. It Agustin, the PCG Commandant (1990- not oppose your plan.” included some animations, which at 1993) who orchestrated it all. that time could not be contained in Th us, the next step would be to the fl oppy discs, so we had to carry the In late July, 1992, barely a month convince the Navy. Agustin’s idea was computer’s CPU to every presentation. aft er President Fidel V. Ramos assumed simple: present a proposal they had his Presidency, in a private audience previously been working on in light of We were ready within a week or two, at Malacañang, Agustin told President the controversial relationship between whereupon Agustin requested VAdm. Ramos, “Mr. President, I believe that the PCG and MARINA, spawned Mariano J. Dumancas Jr. for a command the Coast Guard should separate from by a letter initiated by the MARINA conference at Navy Headquarters to the Navy.” Administrator, Capt. Victorino A. address that subject alone in September Basco in 1984 to ask the President to 1992. “What made you think that?” asked transfer all the maritime administra- the President. Th e Command Conference had all tion functions of the PCG to MARINA, the top guns of the Navy attending: the which the Secretary of Transportation “A ft er all these years, the PCG has Major and Special Unit Commanders, and Communications, Sec. Jose P. Dans, not really progressed. It has no future the Naval District Commanders and the fully supported, only to back down under the Navy,” replied the PCG staff . Commandant. upon receiving a strong letter from the PCG Commandant, Commo Brillante Our presentation was detailed but Th e President thought a bit, and C. Ochoco (CPCG 1981-86). clear and to the point. We emphasized asked, “What makes you think you can that RA 5173 meant only the initial “Let us review, update and fi nalize do it when a PD signed by President organization to be under the PN and that study, and use it for this eff ort,” Marcos failed to cause the separation that unless the PCG were separated, it Commo. Agustin asked of his PCG to be made?” Ramos was referring could not develop professionally if PCG staff . He designated the PCG Chief to Presidential Decree 601 dated 9 skills were only to be part of the naval of Staff , Capt. Juan A. De Leon Jr. PN December, 1975 that revised RA 5173 career pattern. We gave many examples (GSC) to be on top of that group. and placed the PCG directly under the where personnel training resources Commo Agustin and I recall some of Secretary of National Defense. Agustin were wasted when specialized personnel those who had signifi cant contributions replied, “RAdm. Ogbinar had the wrong were rotated out to perform naval in that study paper even before that task

10 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 ML TRUSTEES - SPECIAL FEATURE functions, and their skills lost by the the briefi ng to DND and GHQ AFP. I allow the PCG to retain ownership of all PCG. We emphasized that the primary did the presentations, but Commo. weapons, equipment and vessels in its maritime functions of Merchant Marine Agustin always answered convincingly possession; toward this end, he issued Administration, Safety of Navigation, all of the questions. I remember one a Transition Plan. He was also present Marine Environmental Protection and of the strong justifi cations cited at that and signatory as a witness when the Maritime Safety Administration were time was the Resolution of the Shipping Secretary of National Defense (Gen. primarily not germane to naval defense. and Ports Advisory Council (SPAC) of Renato S de Villa) and the Secretary of the need for the “proper placement of Transportation and Communications Commo. Agustin harped on the the PCG.” (Sec. Jesus T. Garcia) signed the MOA easily understood comparison that on the transfer from DND to DOTC at would eventually help sell Congress in VAdm. Mariano J. Dumancas, Camp Aguinaldo, QC. amending RA 5173: the Navy exists to Jr. stood pat on that commitment to kill and destroy the enemy; the Coast the end. During the ensuing GHQ Th e Coast Guard was eventu- Guard exists to save lives and prop- Command Conference, he fully ally transferred by virtue of Executive erty at sea and protect the marine endorsed the position such that the AFP Order Nos. 475 and 477, a two-stage environment. transfer authorized under EO 292, the VAdm. Dumancas Administrative Code of knew that he was 1987, and an idea that contending with a naval came from President public that was highly Ramos himself, using resistive to losing a major the National Irrigation organization; he knew Authority (NIA) that any decision to precedence. separate the PCG from the Navy would weaken Transfer ceremo- the Navy strength and nies were held at the somehow lose infl u- HQ Philippine Navy ence and power. But we in 1998 with President noted that the questions Ramos in attendance. raised by the senior Sec. Fortunato U. Abat commanders were was then the SND. neither too controversial DOTC Secretary Jose P. de Jesus approved on 8 April 2011, the imple- Commo. Agustin, who nor highly critical of the menting rules and regulations IRR of R.A. 9993 or the Philippine Coast was already retired idea; perhaps the friend- Guard Law of 2009. Photo Credit: United Filipino Seafarers Federation and serving as the PPA ships and camaraderie General Manager at engendered through the the time, was acknowl- Chief of Staff , Gen. Lisandro C. Abadia years by our senior commanders had edged by President Ramos in that in his fi nal statement, said, “If the two of somehow weakened their resolve to ceremony, as “the man responsible for you agree, who am I to oppose?” oppose our idea. the success or failure of this idea,” at the Dumancas and Abadia were like- same time speaking positively for the But the burden rested more on wise present in the next step, which was organizational change. Dumancas, who was a highly trained quite easy as the Secretary of Defense professional sea dog who understood Commo. Agustin later told us that was already apprised of the idea that the that organizational and functional eff ec- he was bothered by the statements he Coast Guard would eventually separate tiveness are aff ected by focus. Th e Coast heard from some Navy offi cers during from the AFP: It was in the original Guard being under the Navy provides the ceremony that the decision was “a PNP Law, which was taken out only some distraction to that focus. In turn, grave error.” He would also later admit because Commo. Agustin, then Chief the PCG suff ers as the PCG’s non-naval that even at DND in 2005, the Asst. of AFP Personnel (J-1) represented functions take a back seat position in Sec. for Legal Aff airs (ASLA) surprised Gen. Renato S. de Villa who was CSAFP the naval scheme of things. His fi nal him when she asked the Secretary in 1986-90, convincing its principal remark included that statement we were of National Defense Angelo T. Reyes author, Rep. Rodrigo B. Gutang, with hoping for: “Let’s go for this. Th e Navy during a conference “to restudy the practically the same argument. will agree.” PCG separation.” Th e Secretary imme- Dumancas further delivered on diately turned to Commo. Agustin and We also did the rounds and presented his commitment: He gave the nod to asked, “President, NDCP?” knowing

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 11 SPECIAL FEATURE • CHAIRMAN’S PAGE

that Commo. Agustin was a former CPCG. Th e latter replied in no uncertain terms that the action had been Shipbuilding Issues done with deliberate study and had been thoroughly discussed at HPN, 2016 GHQ and there at DND, endorsed by by Commo. Carlos L. Agustin AFP (Ret) all concerned agencies and approved by the President, and any move to recon- refer to this issue’s topic as Ship- isn’t the Philippine sider would only be disruptive. building Issues 2016 since the Navy, which has subject seems to appear herein ad been dubbed as a Navy without ships, Th e turnover event in 1998 “clinched I infi nitum, primarily when taken from ordering any from Balamban? I really the deal” for the Coast Guard. We would the proceedings of the Maritime Forum, have no answers to this! never look back again. which we hold 10 times annually. I did add that we addressed the issue We owe it to an understanding, Ten years ago in the MR 06-4 (Jul- of government – particularly Navy and progressive and decisive Commander- Aug 2006) issue’s Chairman’s Page, DOTC - support to the shipbuilding in-Chief, and the statesmanship and I wrote about the Japanese Shipyard industry in several forums in 2004 professionalism of the PN Flag Offi cer in Tsuneishi’s expansion plans in and 2005, and former PN Flag Offi cer Command, who saw it through despite Balamban, Cebu aft er completion of its in Command VADM Ernesto de Leon historical precedents on the position of a third slipway that would enable them to took the cue but unhappily the govern- person in such job, including those who build a large bulk carrier every 3 weeks, ment could not provide the necessary were the heads of the PCG immediately or 15 annually. We were on the way then support, budget wise. I stated that the before becoming the Navy’s Chief. to being no. 6 in moderniza- On a personal note, I wonder if I the world in ship- Has the AFP or the tion program would be the 26th PCG Commandant building. Today was temporarily had the transfer idea not been brought we are no. 4 but Phil. Navy ever made a stalled by lack to fruition. our domestic of funds, but we shipbuilders are feasibility study complete should keep on May VAdm. Mariano J. Dumancas, still not happy. pushing and that Jr. rest in eternal peace, knowing with projections of the “I still believe In that that, as the experience of the Bajo de that Philippine column, I also benefits of the ship Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) standoff government mentioned, on later showed, his decision to allow the agencies, the domestic building industry in terms existence of a separate “white ship” including the shipbuilding agency was well-conceived and timely of generating capital for PN, PCG and dimension, an in the light of current trends in mari- departments item about the time safety administration, and the the economy and jobs for and bureaus that nearby FBM critical developments on the West have need for Babcock Marine the people? Philippine Sea! ships, should as (A UK-Filipino far as practicable Editor’s note: RAdm. William M. Melad joint venture) avail of local PCG is the new Commandant, Philippine that was capable of building world class shipyards.” Coast Guard. It took many bills, including fast ferries comparable with the best in a few calling for the return of the PCG the world that made Columnist Bobit One indicator then that positive to the Navy, and years of hearings in the Avila comment, steps could be taken was the construc- process. The PCG crea on as a separate tion of a vessel purposely built by service was ﬁ nally realized with the Th at means that the greatest nations Herma Shipyard in Mariveles, Bataan approval of RA 9993 (The Philippine Coast on this planet believe in the work- (which constructs world-class petro- Guard Law of 2009) on 12 Feb 2010, manship and quality of Filipino-made leum carriers for its sister company, repealing RA 5173, as amended, 11 years products. Surely, we can see the enor- Herma Shipping) for medical purposes, a er President Fidel V. Ramos took the mous benefi ts that the FBM Babcock the 30-ton, 16-meter-long specially unprecedented bold move of “cu ng Marine off ers to the Philippine Navy or designed and fully equipped boat with it clean” from the Philippine Navy. The the Coast Guard. Yes, we can build those an 8-member staff that docked in posi on of PCG Commandant now carries Coast Guard cutters right in our own remote areas of the archipelago to fulfi ll the grade of Admiral. backyard instead of buying used ones a mission: Provide free orthopedic from abroad! Hence, the question: Why    devices for those in need. I wonder how

12 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 CHAIRMAN’S PAGE that eventually fared? Given that we your articles, Chuck saying that it is respect to long term planning on never heard about it during the Yolanda the budget problem that is stopping us industrial development. disaster, did it suff er the same fate as the from going into this. As I mentioned above, we have Navy’s modernization? Has the AFP or the Phil. Navy ever addressed this matter so long but do not It would also seem that the experi- made a feasibility study complete with seem to get anywhere. ence of the Yolanda would spur the projections of the benefits of the ship Th ere are however a few posi- eff ort to acquire hospital ships and building industry in terms of gener- tive developments. Th e NAMRIA has logistic support vessels, something ating capital for the economy and jobs constructed through a local shipyard that was initiated in the ‘60s and ‘70s, for the people? And to compare this two small survey ships that are now as the PN actually constructed its fi rst with the cost of building the industry operational. Th e PCG should follow suit. hospital ship in the ‘60s. Some other locally? Likewise, what impact this Th e PN should be allowed to procure interesting developments were covered would give our economy and our non-combatant service vessels under in that column (including a plan by our seafarers? And later, how this can the same standards used by NAMRIA. Executive Editor, Vicky Viray Mendoza, develop our competitive strength not Th e MARINA is today supportive of who was then still working with the only in local commercial shipping positive action to help domestic ship- World Bank’s IFC, to convert a vessel but in international shipping? These builders and has a periodic SBSR Forum to a hospital ship; it can be pulled out questions may sound simplistic but with them. by searching it in our web page in www. they do address a basic attitude with maritimereview.ph.) During the 109th Maritime Forum in Th at column was Cebu last 11 Feb the read by then Rep. Loretta issue of government Ann “Etta” Pargas who, neglect arose when addressing me, posted inadvertently the in the Navy Forum (26 MARINA briefi ng stated June, 2006): some under capacity of I have recently come local shipyards, and the from a Jakarta meeting shipbuilders responded of ASEAN MPs on the that the problem is issue of democratiza- not under capacity but tion in Burma. While under-utilization due to waiting for my plane lack of orders because in the airport, I had the importation of used an engaging conversa- vessels, primarily from tion with Ms Brenda Japan, goes unabated. Pimentel from the We then agreed that UN IMO and several the shipbuilders would Filipino seafarers on put together an issue the importance of ship- paper and present it in building as a major the next Forum. Th at industry that must did not happen, but be developed in the during the following Philippines. I related 111th Forum hosted by my story of how I spoke MARINA at the Manila to - I am not sure if it Yacht Club, it was was Vice Admiral de agreed that an Executive Leon or some other Session should be held Admiral - about the to fi nalize a presentation possibility of having to be made in the 112th the Philippine Navy Maritime Forum in May, develop its capacity 23-Meter Hydrographic Aluminimum Catamaran boats built for the which can then agree for ship building and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Philip- to endorse it for action he said of course, it is pines by Colorado Shipyard Corp. Photo Courtesy of: Colorado by MARINA and the possible. And here are Shipyard. government.

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 13 CHAIRMAN’S PAGE • MARITIME CALENDAR

Will we fi nally get some positive action that can really start the domestic ship-  builders on the path of adding much more Maritime Events to the growth of our shipbuilding industry? To me, these are some of our needs: Calendar a. Providing cheap money to the MAY ‘16 AUGUST ‘16 shipbuilding industry on a long- 2-5 OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE (HOUSTON, TX) 19 MARITIME BREAKFAST FORUM #114 (NATIONAL 5-6 MARITECH 2016 (ST JOHN’S NF) COAST WATCH CENTER (NCWC); HEADQUARTERS term loan, much the same way 9-11 CREW CONNECT EUROPE CONFERENCE (RADISSON BLU PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, 139 25TH STREET, SOUTH that HLURB and PAG-IBIG now SCANDINAVIA HOTEL, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK) HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA) 9-11 COMPIT 2016 (LECCE, ITALY) SEPTEMBER ‘16 provides cheap money on long- 10-11 MARINE LOG TUGS AND BARGES (SEATTLE, WA) 1-10 IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS term housing loans at around 10-12 CANADA LNG EXPORT CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION (HONOLULU, HI, USA) 2016 (VANCOUVER) 6%, specifi cally for the homeless. 5-9 SMM INTERNATIONAL MARITIME TRADE FAIR 10-12 NAVEXPO INTERNATIONAL (LORIENT, FRANCE) (HAMBURG, GERMANY) 10-12 INLAND MARINE EXPO IMX 2016 (ST LOUIS, MO) 6-8 CANADIAN DEFENCE SECURITY AND AEROSPACE b. Implementing MARINA’s 12-13 SEATRADE CRUISE ASIA (BUSAN, KOREA) EXHIBITION ATLANTIC - DEFSEC ATLANTIC 2016 15-18 SEA-AIR-SPACE: THE NAVY LEAGUE’S GLOBAL MARI- mandate for shipbuilding devel- (HALIFAX, NS) TIME EXPOSITION (NATIONAL HARBOUR, MD, USA) 6-11 CANNES INTERNATIONAL YACHTING SHOW (CANNES, opment, as suggested by a 16-19 CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC CONFERENCE (HALIFAX, FRANCE) NS) colleague, Commo. Terry de la 12-15 FLEET MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION 16-22 PN WEEK (STC) SYMPOSIUM 2016 (HAMPTON, VA) Cruz; 17-18 ITEC DEFENCE TRAINING SIMULATION AND 16 MARITIME BREAKFAST FORUM #115 (PHILIPPINE EDUCATION (LONDON, UK) COAST GUARD (PCG); HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE c. Developing a unique world-class 18-20 PORT SECURE 2016 (TORONTO, ON) COAST GUARD, 139 25TH STREET, SOUTH HARBOR, Philippine classifi cation society 24 MARITIME BREAKFAST FORUM #112 (PHILIPPINE PORT AREA, MANILA) which is a sine quanon for maritime NAVY (PN); HEADQUARTERS, PHILIPPINE NAVY, 19-22 MTS/IEEE ASIA OCEANS 2016 (MONTEREY, CA, USA) ROXAS BOULEVARD, MANILA) 19-25 MARITIME WEEK (PHILIPPINES) 23-27 24TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL TUG, SALVAGE, OSV development as a shipping nation, 21-23 SEATRADE CRUISE MED (STA. CRUZ, TENERIFE) CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION (BOSTON, MA) and a long-time personal passion. 25-26 CANSEC 2016 (OTTAWA, ON) SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER ‘16 28-1 MONACO YACHT SHOW (MONACO) d. Providing more facilities, incen- MAY-JUNE ‘16 30-1 GREEN MARINE - GREENTECH 2016 SUSTAINABLE OCTOBER ‘16 tives and support for skills SHIPPING (QUEBEC CITY) 4-6 IBEX 2016 INTERNATIONAL BOAT BUILDERS training; 30-2 10TH INTERNATIONAL HARBOR MASTERS EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE (TAMPA, FL) CONFERENCE (VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA) 8 MARITIME LEAGUE 25TH ANNIVERSARY e. Immediate reviewing of the New JUNE ‘16 14 MARITIME BREAKFAST FORUM #116 (DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR); 1 MARINA ANNIVERSARY (PHILIPPINES) Procurement Act as applicable to TBD) 1-3 UNDERSEA DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY (OSLO, NORWAY) 14 1ST MARITIME LEAGUE/MPCGA GOLF TOURNAMENT the PN and PCG; 2-3 2016 FERRY SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE (PN GOLF CLUB, BNS, TAGUIG CITY) (NEW YORK, NY) 15-19 41ST INTERFERRY CONFERENCE (MANILA) 6-8 PHIL MARINE 2016 (SMX MALL OF ASIA, PASAY f. Expanding the SBSR Forum that 17-21 EURONAVAL 2016 (PARIS, FRANCE) CITY, PHILIPPINES) 21-23 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NAVAL MARINA holds regularly to make 6-10 CIMAC CONGRESS (HELSINKI, FINLAND) ARCHITECTURE AND OCEAN ENGINEERING 9-10 POSIDONIA, INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING EXHIBITION it transparent and more productive; (SHANGHAI, CHINA) (ATHENS, GREECE) 24 BATTLE OF SIBUYAN SEA, 72ND ANNIVERSARY 10 DENR ANNIVERSARY (PHILIPPINES) g. Getting the two Transportation (ROMBLON CULTURAL & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION) 13-17 EUROSATORY 2016 (PARIS, FRANCE) 24-26 ARCTIC TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE (ST JOHN’S, NF) Committees in Congress staff ed 14-16 SEAWORK 2016 COMMERCIAL MARINE AND 25-26 OFFSHORE ENERGY 16 (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) with competent people and led WORKBOAT EXHIBITION (SOUTHAMPTON, UK) 14-16 TOC EUROPE, INCLUDES CONTAINER SUPPLY CHAIN NOVEMBER ‘16 by dedicated transport industry- CONFERENCE, TECH TOC, AND BULK PORTS AND 1-5 SNAME MARITIME CONVENTION (BELLEVUE, WA) thinking members; and TECHNOLOGY CONF (HAMBURG, GERMANY) 3-4 FERRIES, MARINE LOG CONFERENCE AND EXPO 19-24 ASME 2016 35TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (SEATTLE, WA) h. Further reducing SBSR bureau- ON OCEAN, OFFSHORE AND ARCTIC ENGINEERING 8-9 ASIAN MARINE ENGINEERING CONFERENCE (BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA) (SINGAPORE) cracy in MARINA through inno- 20-23 NOIA CONFERENCE 2016 (ST JOHN’S, NF) 15-17 METS MARINE EQUIPMENT TRADE SHOW vative means. 21-23 MEGA RUST 2016 NAVAL CORROSION CONFERENCE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) (SAN DIEGO, CA) 15-17 FUTURE OF UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY 21-23 MARINE MAINTENANCE WORLD EXPO AND CONFERENCE 2016 (UK) I still feel and hope that shipbuilding ELECTRIC AND HYBRID MARINE WORLD EXPO 2016 16-18 CREW CONNECT GLOBAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION will be a major engine of growth of the (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) (MARRIOTT HOTEL, MANILA) 21-23 MAST EUROPE MARITIME / AIR SYSTEMS AND NOVEMBER-DECEMBER ‘16 Philippine economy, much the same way TECHNOLOGIES (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 30-2 INTERNATIONAL WORKBOAT SHOW (NEW ORLEANS, LA) as Japan did from the ‘50s, and South Korea JULY ‘16 JANUARY ‘17 and Taiwan in the late ‘50s to the ‘90s. 11 PPA ANNIVERSARY (PHILIPPINES) 14-15 14TH ASEAN PORTS & SHIPPING 2016 (BANGKOK) 6-15 LONDON BOAT SHOW (LONDON, UK) Th e big players here have taken off 15 MARITIME BREAKFAST FORUM #113 (PHILIPPINE 19 DOTC ANNIVERSARY (PHILIPPINES) PORTS AUTHORITY (PPA); 637 BONIFACIO DRIVE, FEBRUARY ‘17 on the international market. Should PORT AREA, MANILA) 19-23 INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND it be about time for the Philippine JULY-AUGUST ‘16 CONFERENCE (ABU DHABI) domestic shipbuilders to have a good 30-3 4TH INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION APRIL ‘17 shot at it?  CONGRESS (ST JOHN’S NEWFOUNDLAND AND 4-6 OCEAN BUSINESS (SOUTHAMPTON, UK) LABRADOR, CANADA) 25-27 SEA ASIA (MARINA BAY SANDS, SINGAPORE)

14 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 MARITIME LAW Philippine Vulnerabilities in its Rift with China By Brig. Gen. M. Oxales AFP (Ret) he Philippines can be Taiwan, establish hegemony over Hong South Korea, Philippines, Australia and subverted, harassed and Kong, have dominance in the seas New Zealand (ANZUS), and a special Tdamaged technologically and bordering China, and take over the security arrangement with the Taiwan. economically. reefs and islands considered as territo- Th e Philippines and United States ries of Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, with its geographical posi- Mutual Defense Pact signed on 24 Malaysia, and Indonesia. tion, language, history, and civilization, August 195l provides that “Each Party has been a 5000 year-old political But according recognizes that entity whose place in the world has to former an armed attack already been fi xed, according to Henry President Fidel “[Beijing is] building in the Pacifi c area Kissinger, in his 600-page book titled V. Ramos in his a Great Wall of sand on either of the “On China.” As US Secretary of paper “Strategic Parties would be State, he paved the way for the visit of Leadership and over islands claimed dangerous to each President Nixon to China in 1972 to the Challenges of by several countries. own peace and meet with China Premier Chou En Lai, Our Times,” he China’s pattern of security and would and restore full diplomatic relations states, “Viewed act to meet the between the two countries --close allies from Beijing, the provocations toward common danger who fought the Japanese in WWII until arc of military and smaller claimant in accordance with 1945. political alliances countries on the basis of its constitutional which extends processes.” Relations between the two allies had from the Korea the sweeping 9-dash Line soured from the late 1950’s aft er China Th is treaty Peninsula, Japan, became a communist state under Mao which is inconsistent was entered into Taiwan, Okinawa, Tse Tung who as its revolutionary leader one year aft er the Indonesia, with international law, forced the US-backed China President Korean War broke Singapore, and the wide asymmetry Chiang Kai Shek and his remaining out on 24 June Australia and Nationalist military forces to fl ee to the between China’s 1953 when North New Zealand, tiny island of Formosa, now Taiwan. Korea invaded poses a strong capabilities and of her Th is was further exacerbated by China’s South Korea. Th e deterrent and weak neighbors, raises alignment ideologically and militarily war ended in obstacle to mili- with then USSR (Soviet Russia), and serious questions about an armistice in tary excursions support to North Korea with a 100,0000 1950, each side and adventurism Chinese intentions.” army in the Korean War (1950- occupying the by China into 1953) where America suff ered 40,000 same territory as the Pacifi c Ocean casualties. when the inconclusive war started. Th e and South China Sea, renamed West Philippines, responding to the United Aft er centuries of isolation, humili- Philippine Sea by the Philippine govern- Nations and under its auspices, sent to ated by western powers, Great Britain, ment.” (Th e Cavalier, Jan-Feb 2013) South Korea four army battalions of France and Germany at the close of Th ese alliances and geopolitical real- some 7,000 personnel fully equipped the 19th century, and by Japan in half ities in the West Philippine Sea and the and supplied by the US, and fought side of the 20th century, which carved vast Pacifi c have impelled China to invoke by side with American soldiers. areas of its territory -- China, exer- the so-called 9-dash Line (of dubious cising partial to full sovereignty, is It is significant to note that in historical basis) and establish a chain now a world power in economy and previous interpretations of the of island bases as its far sea defense trade, and seeks its place under the defense treaty, the areas covered deterrence denial strategy to protect the sun. A very signifi cant aspiration of Metropolitan Manila and the areas mainland and further avail of the rich China as written by Jonatahn Holstag of US Clark Air Base in Pampanga resources therein. in his book “Th e Coming War with and Subic Naval Base in Zambales Asia” is its determination to recover Th e US has defense pacts with Japan, (vacated by US in 1992) and the vast

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 15 MARITIME LAW

expanse of the Pacific Ocean on the US Defense Sec. Ashton Carton bases that could threaten neighboring eastern side of the Philippines toward repeated the assurance during a claimant countries. the Hawaii islands. meeting in Hawaii in May this year with In a briefi ng last May before the his counterpart Philippine Defense Sec. Are the disputed islands located west Senate Defense Committee, NICA Voltaire Gazmin to whom he told that of the Philippines covered by the treaty? Director General Cesar Garcia reported US commitment is ironclad. He even that the dispute over the islands in the Th e disputed islands are in the called for China to halt its reclamation South China Sea has overtaken all secu- Spratly group, 150 nautical miles west activities. rity concerns, and it is imperative that of Palawan, and some 550 miles from Admiral Harry Harris Jr., head of US the AFP should now transition from its the coast of Hainan, the southern prov- Pacifi c Command, is pushing an aggres- domestic security focus toward external ince of China, and the Scarborough sive plan to contest China's expanding or territorial defense. Shoal, which is about 120 miles west of island-building in the South China Sea. Zambales. Th ese islands that have been “America still rules South China and Photo credit: MC2 Kegan E. Kay, US traditional fi shing grounds by Filipino the Pacifi c Ocean, and its 7th Fleet in Navy. seafarers and rich with marine resources, case of war can choke maritime traffi c ocean minerals gas and oil reserves are In a most public criticism of to and from China,” writes Andrew within the 200-mile Exclusive Economic China’s land reclamation activities in Browne in the China World Wall Street Zone of the Philippines. South China, Admiral Harry Harris Journal on 4 March 2015. Admiral Jr., Commander Henry Harris Jr., Commander of the of the US Pacific US Pacifi c Command, declared that Command he would not allow any coercion, and based in Hawaii, would ensure that maritime lanes are accused Beijing open for international shipping valued of “building at $5 trillion a year. a Great Wall Will there be military confrontation of sand over between the United States and China islands claimed over the disputed islands? Th e writer by several coun- does not believe so in the immediate tries. China’s term. China, not being militarily at par pattern of prov- with the United States will endeavor to ocations toward avoid a situation where the Philippines US President Obama reiterates the US ironclad commitment to smaller claimant or the United States would invoke defend Philippine security and sovereignty during a speech to US countries on the Philippines-United States Mutual and Filipino troops during his 2014 visit. Photo Credit: inquirer.net. the basis of the Defense Pact. It has continually occu- sweeping 9-dash Th e government of the United States pied, administered and possessed the Line which is inconsistent with inter- has assured its commitments time and disputed island’s essential elements in national law, and the wide asymmetry again to honor its defense treaty with claiming rightful ownership. between China’s capabilities and of the Philippines. her weak neighbors, raises serious According to Henry Kissinger, President Barrack Obama, during questions about Chinese intentions.” adviser of US Presidents and world a state visit to the Philippines on April These remarks were made during a heads of state, China “follows an 2014 said before US military personnel naval conference of allied countries ancient board game called Wei Qi and Filipino soldiers assembled in in Canberra, Australia in March this that stresses encirclement rather than Leyte, a province badly hit by typhoon year. (Wall Street Journal, 1 April domination. Chinese leaders value Yolanda, “Our commitment to defend 2015) strategic envelopment rather than the Philippines is iron clad, and we keep destructive confrontation,“ a strategy He further reported that the runway that commitment because allies do not that closely adheres to Sun Tzu trea- being built in Mischief Reef west of stand alone.” tise on war. His famous dictum reads Palawan is 10,000 feet long and could “the best commander is one who wins Philippine DFA Chief Albert del accommodate a U.S B-52 long range battles without fi ghting.” Rosario; US VP John Kerry; Philippine bomber and much longer than what is Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin; and required for a Boeing 747 aircraft . Its True to its Anti Access/Area Denial US Defense Sec. Ashton Carton. harbors and ports under construction (A2AD) doctrine, China employs a Photo Credit: Philippine Embassy, are deep enough for large naval vessels. “cabbage strategy,” surrounding the Washington DC. Th ese facilities would serve as staging disputed islands with ships that by sheer

16 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 MARITIME LAW

Philippines million. It imports rice that costs 40% technically and lower due to lack of domestic produc- economically. tion, and to maintain stock and control Its cyber warfare prices. capabilities can Our country imports 45% of its hack and cripple crude oil, about 65 million barrels a year the computers which amounts to $6 billion. Exports to that operate China valued at $500 million in 2014 and control comprised 23% of total exports. China banking systems has $660 billion investments in power, and devices, mining agriculture, infrastructure and communica- other industries locally. Th e Philippines tion networks, is in the lowest fi ft h among ASEAN power, aero- countries in Foreign Direct Investments, drome, and hence the need to attract more from big other vital investor countries like China. About facilities. 200,000 Filipinos are employed in Possible China, mostly in Hong Kong and cities Philippine DFA Chief Albert del Rosario; U.S. VP John Kerry; Philippine targets of subver- of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin; and U.S. Defense Sec. Ashton Carton. Photo sion are the local With some 12 million Filipinos not Credit: Philippine Embassy, Washington DC. Filipino Chinese gainfully employed, and with the number, size and speed, thus Filipino who comprise a mere 1% of the popu- highest unemployment rate among fi shermen and coast guard vessels are lation but a big and infl uential factor ASEAN countries, the Philippines does eff ectively denied entry without fi ring a in the economy who, by hard work, need foreign jobs. shot. perseverance and risking their capital, Last year, China led in founding Military analysts say China does are dominant or are highly prominent the Asia Infrastructure Investment not have sealift capability to transport in retail, trading, airline, shipping, Bank with 51 member countries. a large number of troops, with weapons real estate development, banking and Capitalized at $100 billion and aimed and vehicles, and undertake an eff ec- many manufacturing, distribution and to fund infrastructure projects in tive invasion by sea. However, China assembly activities. Asia, it will be a source of low interest recently held an exercise employing Th e Philippines imports about 10% and long-term loans to finance roads, 20,000 troops in a coast facing Taiwan of rice consumption or some 2 million railways, ports, harbors and airports for a possible sea invasion. Because of metric tons annually from Th ailand, sorely needed to accelerate economic the lack of bottoms, commercial ships Vietnam, China and other countries development. The Philippines has yet are being confi gured to transport mili- at $400 per ton that amounts to $800 to join the bank. tary personnel and cargo. China Ambassador to the It will take weeks and Philippines Zhao Jianhua in his even months to assemble remarks during the 66th National Day a large number of troops, Reception of the Republic of China vehicles and landing held in Manila last September pointed craft , and mount an out the following: Investments in invasion by sea. It may ASEAN countries totaled $32.4 take three to fi ve days for billion but the Philippines got only a seaborne force from 1.3%; outbound tourists to ASEAN China closest coast to in 2014 totaled 11.4 million making reach Philippine shores. ASEAN the biggest destination, Satellites orbiting 24 with Thailand getting 4.4 million, hours can take pictures, Vietnam 1.7 million, Singapore 1.4 and CNN will send an million, but the Philippines got only alarm worldwide. Admiral Harry Harris Jr., head of US Paciﬁ c Command, is 402,000 arrivals. China can pushing an aggressive plan to contest China’s expanding China had already announced it subvert, harass, and island-building in the South China Sea. Photo credit: MC2 would not abide by the decision of infl ict damage to the Kegan E. Kay, USN.

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 17 MARITIME LAW • MARITIME SAFETY

the International Court on the Law of Sea to which the tribunal Philippine brought its case. Senior Associate The 2nd Annual Ferry Supreme Court Justice Antonio T. Carpio, an expert in international law, and Safety Conference said that with China’s position and its non-participation in the proceedings of the court, the Philippines should be 2016 ready for the long haul -- a foreboding he goal of the Worldwide Th e conference brings together ferry forecast. Ferry Safety Association’s operators, city planners, vessel designers, (WFSA) has been to identify China had already taken a strong T weather experts, and technology and disseminate approaches, primarily position. During a state visit to the providers of the maritime community. technology-based, to reduce ferry fatali- United States last September, China ties. Th ey focus on technology because It will present innovative technolo- President XI Jinping declared in it is oft en an impetus for social change. gies via panels and demonstrations over a press conference with President the two days by speakers from around Barrack Obama present, “Islands in Th e 1st Ferry Safety and Technology the globe. Th ere will be frequent oppor- the South China Sea since ancient Conference 2015 hosted by WFSA tunity for networking during breakfast, times are Chinese territory. We sponsored its annual vessel design breaks, and lunch. have the right to uphold our territo- competition, commissioned student rial sovereignty and lawful legitimate research, convened a technology-based Th e main discussions are on Ferry interests and rights.” conference, and served as a central Landings with a focus on resiliency; locus for the dissemination of other Maritime Weather with new informa- Meanwhile, Philippines continues organizations’ research. Also, more tion on timely fi ne scale marine weather the strategy of the weak posturing organizations, researchers, and opera- detection; and Information manage- as being harassed, bullied, trampled tors have engaged in research eff orts, ment and Communication applications. upon and subtly threatened politically and initiated capital and operational and diplomatically by a big and strong Presentations include case studies of improvements for ferry safety. WFSA neighbor -- to get the attention, mobile ticketing (a major issue of ferry has identifi ed a market and poten- sympathy, and support of the world operations worldwide) and a system for tial partners for a project to develop a community. highly accurate crowd counting and tablet-based training program. operational telematics. Markedly, at a wide open military Worth noting is that among fi ve disadvantage, the Philippines facing Training, a hot topic because of ongoing research studies, one is about Th e grave vulnerabilities economically newly required competencies will Philippines’ Ferry System. WFSA research and technologically, and beset with a include in-depth case studies high- associate Abigail Golden prepared a report century old unresolved separatist move- lighting eLearning, and innovative brick on the Philippines’ ferry system and safety ments and decades of internal confl icts, and mortar training centers. Experts regime. Th e report is available at http:// should now pursue more imaginative, from North America, Europe and Asia www.ferrysafety.org/news.htm. fl exible, pragmatic and realistic diplo- will give the presentations. matic options. Th e 2nd Annual Ferry Safety and Bekir Sitka Ustaoglu, IMO TCD Asia Editor’s note: BGen Manuel P. Oxales Technology Conference hosted by WFSA Pacifi c chief, will present the award for is a re red PAF oﬃ cer, a member of PMA will bring together ferry operators, city best international student ferry design Class of 1960 who served the AFP in planners, vessel designers, weather competition at the cocktail reception. various jobs with dis nc on for 37 years. experts, and many more members of General registra on is $350 plus a He has since re rement been associated the world’s maritime community. Th e processing fee. Student rates are available. with the AGFO and the AGFO Founda on conference takes place on 2-3 June, 2016 You can register at: h ps://ferrysafetyconfer- Boards. at the historic Pier A Harbor House in ence.squarespace.com/  downtown Manhattan, New York. 

18 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 SHIPBUILDING The Port Authority of Aalesund’s New “Swiss Army Knife” by Vicky Viray-Mendoza n early April, Alusafe 1500 MPV, a Th e new Skansen, which is 14.99 a remote-released towing hook, operated well-equipped workboat was deliv- meters in length and 4.9 meters in from the helmsman’s position at the bridge. ered from Maritime Partner AS. It width, is of a brand new design. It has a I Having a large load capacity, and is the Port Authority of Aalesund’s new maximum speed of 32 knots with total also a hydraulically operated bow-ramp, workboat, a virtual “Swiss army knife” seating capacity for eight crewmem- provides the opportunity to employ multi-purpose vessel, named Skansen. bers. Th e vessel is equipped with twin the vessel as a transportation platform diesel Volvo Penta Th e newly that can carry heavy machinery such D9 engines, driving developed MPV as All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), fi re waterjets through will carry out an engines, and police patrol cars to areas marine transmission array of assign- that are otherwise inaccessible. systems. Th e hull is a ments along fully planning mono “Th is vessel provides an excellent the coast, in the hull, single chine working platform for ensuring fairways harbour, and along with deep V-shape are clear of debris, and in addition it the quay fronts of designed to ensure will also be an eff ective aid for pollution the Norway’s Aalesund-Sunnmøre region. smooth operation in adverse weather and response and other perils near the ports. Th is high-speed workboat will carry out sea conditions. Th e vessel is certifi ed for Th e Skansen is also an eff ective tool for the assignments throughout four municipali- oil-pollution response operations, and is Fire and Police Departments, by simpli- ties: Aalesund, Sula, Giske, and Haram. equipped with high towing capacity for fying some of their operations in remote Th e Port Authority of Aalesund has towing oil booms. It is also fi tted with a areas,” says Port Captain Anders Bjørdal. approved the Skansen, having met the water cannon for fi refi ghting operations. Aalesund Fire Department and the new regulations for coastal vessels and On the fore- Port Authority of for oil spill response duties. Th e vessel is deck, the vessel Aalesund have an fully equipped to handle a wide array of is equipped with agreement where the diff erent scenarios, such as assisting other a capstan winch, fi re department can use vessels in distress through towing, placing with a capacity the vessel for training oil booms, assist the fi re department in fi re- of 3 tons, and operations 15 hours fi ghting operations, as well as performing a crane with a every year. “Should a underwater inspections, rescue-diving lifting-capacity boat or ship catch fi re, missions, and supporting fi sh farming. of 4.5 tons. Th e reinforced deck can with- this vessel will make the fi refi ghting opera- Th is new workboat has been given stand concentrated loads, and is approved tion much more effi cient. Th is new vessel the same name as the previous Port for carrying cargo up to a weight of 5 tons is much more versatile than its prede- Authority workboat, and is relieving in order to load heavy equipment needed cessor was, it can carry more equipment its earlier Skansen predecessor that for various operations. and has an enormous range of application. had been operating the waters of the We will even be able to fi t our smallest “In addition to performing tasks such Aalesund region since 1975. fi re engine aboard the vessel, should we as craning and towing, placing fl oating need to bring additional capacity to the “Th e previous vessel should have piers and such, it is very useful for clearing area,” says Fire Chief Geir Th orsen of the been replaced many years ago,” says Port heavy objects and debris from the water Aalesund Fire Department. Captain Anders Bjørdal, from Th e Port to keep the fairway open, and performing Authority of Aalesund. “Our new vessel maintenance tasks on navigational instal- “Its ability to place and tow oil booms, meets all our traditional needs. In addi- lations,” says Port Captain Bjørdal. and provide a substantial resource for tion, improved stability and high towing rescue-operations at sea, diving missions, Th e bow-ramp, which can also be capacity makes Skansen an important part and similar operations is very useful for remotely operated from the helmsman’s of our emergency preparedness, espe- the fi re department,” says Fire Chief Geir position at the bridge, provides opportu- cially within Sunnmøre’s Inter-municipal Th orsen. Th e new Skansen will be exhibited nity to deploy oil booms from deck. Th e aft Unit against Acute (IUA) pollution situa- in July 2016 at the Seawork International deck is fi tted with one additional capstan tions,” explains the Port Captain. Fair in Southampton, England.  winch, with a 1 ton pulling capacity, and

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 19 MARITIME FORUM “Philippines’ International Maritime, Shipbuilding and Offshore Equipment & Technology Exhibition” Proceedings of MBF 109, 110 & 111 by Vicky Viray-Mendoza

he 107th Maritime Break- by CAAP); (2) fabrication; (3) opera- fast Forum (MBF) was tion of facilities, including Hangar 3. T hosted by the Department of Going forward, COMMO. RUERAS Transportation and Communications says PADC shall work on (1) seaplane (DOTC), and held at Columbia Tower, conversion; (2) Robinson R22 and R44; Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, on (3) UAV R&D; and (4) introduce the 25 Nov 2015. Undersecretary EDWIN Cube Satellite. LOPEZ (Operations and PPP, DOTC) COMMO. RUERAS mentioned welcomed the attendees on behalf of An Internationalthat President Exhibition BENIGNO of Maritime, AQUINO Shipbuilding SEC. JOSEPH ABAYA. and Offshore IIITechnologies, for vetoed a moveEquipment to abolish & Supporting PADC Industries COMMO. CARLOS L. AGUSTIN earlier this year, and promised that he (Ret.) (President, Maritime League) would striveCo-located hard to answer With: President chaired the Maritime Forums. Aquino’s challenge. SHIPbuild ENGR. ENRICO FERRE gave a Th Philippinese Chair 2016said there are many comprehensive presentation, reporting talents PADC could harnessOFFS from,H ORE P H I L I P P I N E S on the 21st APEC Transport Ministers including the son of a former CSAFP 2016 Meeting held in Cebu City on 5-6 Nov (Gen CLEMENTE MARIANO), who 2015. Th e meeting was preparatory to gave a presentation on locally-built the APEC Meeting hosted by Roberto UAVs during an MBF hosted by the P. G ot h on g . Th e theme was “building Metro Manila Shipyard Association in inclusive economies, building a bettter Navotas in 2013. Th e Chair encouraged world.” Th ere were four main thrusts: COMMO. RUERAS to write about (1) advance inclusive transportation; his vision for PADC in the Maritime (2) sustainability; (3) innovation; Review magazine. and (4) women in Development. All Th e Philippine Ports Authority interested in the details may view his (PPA) representative reported that presentation at www.mddb.apec.org. there were only a few Laglag Bala inci- COMMO. GILBERT RUERAS dents in the ports, and thus was not a (PCG, Ret), President of the Philippine serious problem at all. Th e PPA Police, Aerospace Development Corporation PCG and the OTS are all on top of the (PADC) gave a presentation on PADC. situation in the PPA ports. Th e main points were: PADC was Director LEO L. AUSAN of the created in 1973 by virtue of PD 286; Maritime and Ocean Aff airs Offi ce and has the following functions: (1) (MOAO), Department of Foreign design, assembly, manufacture, and Aff airs (DFA) gave an update on the sale of all types of aircraft ; (2) modifi - Philippines’ arbitral claims vs. China. cation, overhaul and repair, including In brief, (1) the Philippines’ case passed inspection and repair (IRAN); and (3) the test of jurisdiction and admissi- operate air transport service. bility; (2) the Philippines has made 15 COMMO. RUERAS stated that submissions; (3) out of 15 submissions, PADC had assets amounting to P257M 7 were accepted; and (4) the Philippine

in 1973 which has declined to P94M Legal Team headedSupported byby: the Solicitor in 2014. PADC has manufactured Gen. HON FLORIN HILBAY would or assembled 44 BO105 helicopters, introduce the case and present argu- 67 Britten Norman Islanders and 24 ments to the Arbitral Tribunal at Th e S211 jet aircraft . Currently, PADC Hague^ƵƉƉŽƌƟŶŐDĞĚŝĂ͗ on 24-30 November 2015. Organizedgy by: handles the following: (1) depot level Th e 108th MBF was hosted by maintenance of aircraft (accredited FIREWORKS TRADE EXHIBITIONS & CONFERENCES PHILIPPINES, INC.

20 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 NATIONAL AFFAIRS Continuing Uncertainties by Former Philippine President, Fidel V. Ramos

Part I: MILITARY DANGERS AND destroying instead of saving lives) mili- leaders of Russia, North ECONOMIC RISKS tary build-up by super powers, middle Korea, Iran and Belarus, powers, and non-powers end? Th e however, regretted. “War is the worst option. Peace is the suff ering US, Chinese, Saudi, or Filipino common goal of all mankind…” On the sidelines of the main taxpayers would rather want most or all summit events, US President Obama -- Sun Tzu, “Th e Art of War” that money invested to fi ght poverty, met with the leaders of China, South hunger, joblessness, and other forms of Korea, and Japan – all of whom shared Taiwan’s major newspaper, China deprivation. How? When? Post’s headline on 06 April augured America’s concerns about North bad news for all of mankind because Th e 4th Nuclear Security Summit Korea’s nuclear program. They all it announced a huge rise in military committed to fully support the U.N.’s Th e US has consistently taken the lead spending by countries around the nuclear NPT, President Xi Jinping of in the implementation and broadening world, thus: “Global military spending China included. of the U.N. Nuclear Non-Proliferation rose in 2015 to nearly USD1.7 tril- Treaty (NPT) since the end of WWII. President Obama leaves offi ce in less lion, the first increase in several years, Nuclear deterrence, peaceful co-exis- than a year, and Washington offi cials are driven by conflicts including the tence, and a prosperous world have been wondering if his successor will continue battle against the Islamic State group, the aspirations of the world’s peoples, these nuclear summits. the Saudi-led war in Yemen, and fears particularly in the undeveloped and about Iran.” White House Spokesman Josh developing countries like the Philippines Earnest said the US administration Th e 05 April Stockholm International who still have to reduce mass poverty, hopes that President Obama’s successor Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Study overcome pandemic diseases, and ensure shall continue these summit meetings. noted, “Chinese expansion in the good healthcare, nutrition and longevity “Safeguarding loose nuclear materials South China Sea, Russia’s annexation for their citizens. around the world is a top national secu- of Crimea, support of Ukrainian sepa- According to Beth Day Romulo, rity priority for the US” ratists also accounted for an increase in our distinguished co-columnist in military spending.” Foreign Relations: North Korea And Manila Bulletin, many world leaders G-7 Nations With USD596 billion in defense have described nuclear terrorism as the spending, the US led the world, with “most immediate threat to global secu- In North Korea, Dictator Kim China as second with an estimated rity.” Th e Succeeding nuclear security Jong-Un’s government has been regu- USD215 billion, the annual report by summits were held in South Korea and larly issuing propaganda statements, SIPRI said. Saudi Arabia came in third the Netherlands that focused on securing condemning the US and South Korea, with military spending of USD87.2 nuclear stockpiles and reducing highly while warning that it could launch a billion, double what it spent in 2006, enriched which fueled the fi rst worldwide increase uranium. in military spending since 2011. Th e 4th Iraq spent USD13.1 billion on its Nuclear military in 2015, over 500% from 2006 Security as it had to rebuild its Armed Forces Summit, following the US withdrawal and rise hosted by of the Islamic State group in recent President years. For weapons manufacturers, the Obama this nonstop pace of airstrikes targeting year, met in Islamic State fi ghters in Iraq and Syria, Washington as well as Saudi-led bombing of Yemen’s last 01-02 Shiite rebels and their allies, means more April with billions of dollars in sales in the future. more than 50 Heads of So, how and when will all this expen- State invited G7 Hiroshima Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Photo credit: sive, and clearly, unnecessary (as it is for to attend. Th e Ministry of Foreign Aﬀ airs, Japan

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 21 NATIONAL AFFAIRS

pre-emptive strike against South Korea delivered by courts and tribunals. openness and inclusiveness. Th e – or even the US mainland – at any time China has shown increasing asser- peoples of Asia crave for peace, good- (Manila Bulletin, 12 April). tiveness in its claims, constructing neighborliness and harmony. We Meanwhile, Kyodo News Agency artifi cial islands, and placing military need to make good use of all dialogue (12 April) reported: “Th e Group of facilities on them. Th e US has chal- platforms in Asia to deepen people- 7 Foreign Ministers agreed yesterday lenged China’s “excessive” claims by to-people exchanges and enhance the at Hiroshima to issue a declaration to conducting “freedom of navigation” unity of Asia. China proposes that an show their strong commitment toward operations close by. As a result, the mili- Asia Civilization Dialogue Conference a world without nuclear weapons, the tary-defense-security expenses of these be held and we welcome all countries Japanese Foreign Ministry said. “Th e two giants have ballooned, and have and regional organizations to take an second day of the G-7 meeting in also caused expenditures of aff ected active part. Hiroshima, the fi rst of the two cities nations to correspondingly expand “Fift h, we need to work jointly to struck by US atomic bombs in 1945, beyond normal requirements. trigger innovation. To keep up the was also marked by a symbolic visit Meanwhile, China Tries To Soft -Pedal momentum of prosperity and develop- to the city’s Peace Memorial Park by ment, we need to give full play to Asia’s John Kerry, who became the fi rst US In his speech titled, “A New Vision for unique advantage of abundant human Secretary of State to do so when he A Dynamic Asia through Joint Eff orts” resources, and bring out the potential went there accompanied by the other at the opening plenary of the BOAO and creativity of all its people. Asia’s G-7 Foreign Ministers. Th e visit to the Forum for Asia’s Annual Conference new future relies on innovation and Peace Memorial Park was also a fi rst by 2016 (BFA-AC2016) in Hainan prov- talented personnel….” the Foreign Ministers of the G-7’s two ince last 24 March, Premier Li Keqiang other nuclear weapons states, Britain said (as if to soft -pedal China’s bullying China’s Xinhua News Agency (02 and France.” moves in the Asia-Pacifi c Region): April) reported: “Addressing the opening plenary session of the two-day Th e ministers from Britain, Canada, “First, we need to jointly uphold Fourth Nuclear Security Summit in France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the peace and stability. Asia owes the past Washington, China’s President Xi US then laid wreaths at a cenotaph to the decades of rapid growth to an environ- Jinping said his country has been victims of the 06 August 1945 bombing, ment of overall peace and stability in the committed to step up its own nuclear which reduced the city to ashes and region. Th e past suff erings of war and security while advancing international killed some 140,000 people by the end turmoil have taught the Asian people cooperation…” of that year. the value of peace. Building for Peace Agence France Presse (12 April) “Second, we need to jointly promote added: “Foreign ministers from the economic growth. Emerging economies During the past three weeks, FVR G-7 advanced economies said they and developing countries now account was privileged to visit both Mainland strongly oppose provocation in the for 40% of the global economy. China China in Guangzhou-Hainan and East and South China Seas, where proposes establishment of an Asian Taiwan in Taipei-Taoyuan for impor- China is locked in territorial disputes Financial Cooperation Association, and tant meetings. On both sides of the with nations including the Philippines, stands ready to work with all parties to Taiwan Strait, the constant preoccupa- Vietnam, and Japan.” improve Asia’s fi nancial markets and tion of the common people and local prevent turbulence. leaders appears to be peace-making, China is building islands on reefs in peace-keeping, and building for peace the South China Sea to bolster its claims. “Th ird, we need to jointly deepen and harmony in the world, as in the Th e Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, integrated development. To achieve Philippines. Taiwan, and Vietnam also have claims prosperity in Asia, we must make sure on the same waters that are believed to that no one is left behind. China hopes So, why is there still so much wasteful have huge deposits of oil and gas, and to align its initiative of building the 21st expenditure of funds and eff orts on through which about USD5 trillion in Century Economic Belt and Maritime military operations and expansion by trade is shipped every year. Silk Road with the development strat- some countries? Already, there is so egies of other countries and regional much death, devastation, and suff ering In an apparent reference to China’s organizations. Together, we could foster from the weapons of mass destruction territorial confl icts with the Philippines a new pattern of regional development (WMD)! Why not invest in weapons of and other maritime countries, the through integrated planning and coor- mass uplift ment like education, innova- G-7 group also called on all nations to dinated actions. tion, and basic infrastructure? observe international maritime laws, and implement binding judgments “Fourth, we need to jointly uphold Part II: ENVIRONMENTAL CA-

22 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 NATIONAL AFFAIRS

LAMITIES, MILITARY THREATS, Mediterranean Sea on fl imsy Agence France Presse (16 April) AND OTHER DANGERS rubber boats. reported that US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited a warship close Signifi cant global developments • North Korea’s claim of successful to the disputed fl ash-point waters of the last few months have served to tests of a ballistic missile engine of the South China Sea in a show highlight what FVR has been empha- designed for an ICBM that would of American commitment to main- sizing consistently as serious concerns guarantee an eventual nuclear taining stability in the hotly contested for our citizenry, and are particularly strike in the US mainland. waterway amid China’s increasingly grave problems which the incoming • Devastating earthquakes and aggressive behavior. Administration must positively address volcanic eruptions in Nepal, without delay come 30 June 2016. At “Th is is a strong message to the Japan, Taiwan and Ecuador with this point in time, this task involves region that the US intends to continue the suddenness and deadliness of all the 5 wannabe Presidents and the to play a role in keeping peace and lightning strikes. 6 Vice-Presidentiables, plus all the stability in this region,” Carter told potential lawmakers in the new 17th • Continuing threats of shooting reporters aboard the USS John C. Congress, and all functionaries in local encounters in the South China Stennis, a nuclear-powered aircraft government at every level. Sea and across the 38th parallel carrier able to carry 75 fi ghter planes border of South and North Korea plus several helicopters. Our Defense Uncertainties Facing the People that could lead to WWIII. Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, AFP Chief At no time since the aft er- of Staff Gen. Hernando math of 9-11 which was the Iriberri, and Defense terrorist (Al Qaeda) attack Undersecretary Emmanuel on the World Trade Center Bautista, accompanied him. in New York City, and the Beijing, Manila, and Pentagon in Washington Washington DC have D.C. on 11 September 2001 repeatedly traded accusa- has there been such a combi- tions over who is responsible nation of military threats, for raising tensions in the economic and fi nancial South China Sea, with the uncertainties, environmental US, the Philippines and calamities, and other risks as other nations citing China’s we are now seeing during this island-building projects and crucial year of 2016. related eff orts to block other Th ere is no need to elabo- Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Philippine Defense disputants from parts of the rate here on these misfortunes Secretary Voltaire Gazmin tour the ﬂ ight deck of the USS crucial waterway – through that are almost daily being John C. Stennis in the South China Sea, 15 April 2016. which passes more than reported by multi-media Photo credit: Dept of Defense photo by Air Force Senior USD5 trillion in global trade and constantly viewed by the Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz each year. Filipino audience: Responding to what it • Severe eff ects of El Niño (drought) called provocative plans for stepped-up • US/EU vs. Russia confrontations in Asian countries, particularly in US-Philippine military cooperation, on Ukraine, Iran and Syria issues the Philippines. China said it would “resolutely defend” in the negotiations for an eff ec- its interests and accused the two long- tive ceasefi re. • Costly encounters between the standing allies of militarizing the South Abu Sayyaf and the AFP/PNP; a • Uncertain, mixed indications of China Sea and harboring a “Cold War creeping international terrorism. weak global economic recovery mentality.” slowed down by China’s over • Death and destruction within Comments from China’s Defense heating, to single digit growth. the Syria-Iraq borders because of Ministry came shortly aft er the 14 prolonged civil wars/Islamic ter- • Continued decline of oil prices April announcement that the US rorism which have forced more causing long-standing economic would send troops and planes to the than a million Arab refugees to es- crisis in some countries. Philippines for more frequent “rota- cape from their homeland to seek tions” and increase joint sea and air sanctuaries in Europe – even if this Defense Chiefs Visit “Flash-point patrols with Philippine forces in the means traversing the treacherous Waters”

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 23 NATIONAL AFFAIRS

disputed South China Sea. Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Abu Sayyaf has also eff ected kidnapping atrocities that have kept the AFP-PNP China duly justifi es its island devel- Also, during a visit last week to and local government units busy. It is not opments as mainly for civilian purposes Singapore by Jose Almendras, Singapore only bad for the reputation of the country and that US naval activities, especially and Philippines agreed to exhaust all that the Abu Sayyaf continues to kidnap intrusion of ships close to its newly multilateral approaches, mainly through foreigners at will. It also aff ects the morale built islands, threaten China’s secu- the ASEAN system, to resolve issues of our troops and therefore diminishes rity (Agence France Presse, 16 April). surrounding the South China Sea. their ability to fi ght. Almost always, the Th ese US naval operations may involve In addition to these fresh initia- members of the group are dispersed to Japan, China’s historical nemesis. Th ey tives, the Indonesian energy company avoid large encounters with the military are feuding over ownership of a string Pertamina plans to explore for oil and or police. Marauding bands only get of uninhabited Japanese-controlled gas in areas close to Indonesia’s mari- together when they kidnap. Foreigners islands in the East China Sea. time border in the South China Sea to are preferred as they are more willing to Tonkin Gulf and Other Sources of assert its territorial rights. pay ransom. Th e Abu Sayyaf is the one Uncertainty criminal group that continues to give our “Th e Indonesian Government country a black eye and a bad reputation. Vietnam and China also continue to needs to intensify activities around squabble over the latter’s persistence in the borders and one of Pertamina’s Some Silver Linings drilling for oil and gas particularly in strategies is to support this,” Syamsu In a Concerned Citizens Forum in the Gulf of Tonkin. Reuters (09 April) Alam, the upstream director of the Alabang last week to which FVR was reported: “China moved a controver- state-owned company, told Reuters in invited, Senior Associate Supreme sial oil rig and started drilling in waters a recent interview. He said Indonesia Court Justice Antonio T. Carpio where jurisdiction is unclear, the latest had lost sovereignty over two disputed gave a convincing, well-documented sign of festering unease among the two islands in the past because it was not lecture on China’s aggression in the Communist neighbors.” developing those areas. South China Sea, and the progress Th e USD1 billion rig, which was at Depredations by the Abu Sayyaf of the Philippine case before the the center of a fi erce diplomatic stand- International Tribunal on the Law In Th e New Standard (14 April), off between these countries in 2014, had of the Sea (ITLOS) at the Hague. He retired General Florencio Fianza, a moved into an area of the Gulf of Tonkin opined that world opinion appears to prolifi c military analyst, affi rmed: in the South China Sea about which be swinging towards the side of the “April 9 was another sad day for our Vietnam said the two countries were rule of law – and therefore in favor of Armed Services. In an engagement still “executing delineation discussions.” the Philippine position. in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan between the Vietnam and Philippines have kidnap-for-ransom group Abu Sayyaf For his part, FVR repeated his been eying naval war games, similar and elements of the Philippine Army’s familiar aspiration for enduring peace to the just concluded Philippines – US 44th Infantry Battalion, 18 soldiers and sustainable development (which is “Balikatan” (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) were killed and about 53 wounded. the UN’s goal by 2030), considering the Exercises, and joint sea patrols. Ties Five of the Abu Sayyaf members were massive costs of arms build-up by the have strengthened between the two reported killed including a Moroccan superpowers, the funds and assets for Southeast Asian countries even as by the name of Mohamad Khattab and which would surely be better invested China’s assertiveness continues to Haipa Hapilon, son of the current Abu to fi ght mankind’s 21st century intensify. Last November, Vietnam Sayyaf head. Th ere is a lot at stake. enemies which are mainly poverty, and Philippines agreed on a stra- Th e Bangsamoro Basic Law, the ISIS hunger, pandemic diseases, environ- tegic partnership to boost security connection, the fi ghting reputation of mental degradation, and international relations while China expands its our Armed Services, the reliability of terrorism. He also asserted that the presence in the strategic waterway, the MILF as a peace partner, etc. We Philippines could play a major role in and deploys military equipment to cannot simply go on suff ering huge attaining this worldwide goal, particu- the Spratly and Paracel islands. casualty rates. During the fi rst year of larly by our very technically profi cient this administration, 19 Army soldiers young professionals. Troops from both countries have were killed by the MILF for not coor- played sports together twice since 2014 Kaya natin ito! dinating. Th en later the Mamasapano in the disputed islands they occupy. Last operation that resulted in the killing of Please send any comments to 11 April, Philippine Foreign Secretary 44 PNP SAF personnel...” [email protected]. Copies of ar cles are Jose Rene Almendras was the fi rst available at www.rpdev.org. foreign dignitary to meet Vietnam’s new In Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and at sea, the 

24 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 MARITIME SECURITY

Source: Google Doodle The Philippine Navy should start acquiring submarines, no matter how low tech. Is this a good start, or what? By Commo. Carlos L. Agustin AFP (Ret) his reminds me that the United later to Special WArfare Group, SWAG. but you need dictatorship for that). States Navy and the US Depart- At the same time, we were into Project One of the submersibles is now mentt of State in the mid-‘60s Sta Barbara, and into rocket science. With T displayed at the AFP Museum in CGEA. had great hopes for the Philippine’s future. the failure of the Marcos government Aft er Japan, the trios Taiwan, ROK and to continue our growth, however, our We should start though. Submersibles [ROK] Singapore had started to take off dreams and hopes faltered, proving that are needed by the Navy not only for and they thought we would be the next. military power indeed needs economic off ensive operations but also for disaster Th at was the message I got from them power (with exceptions like North Korea management and research.”  when they gave us a briefi ng at Monterey in 1967. I was the fi rst to get a course in Underwater Weapons Systems Tech- nology at the US Navy Postgraduate School. Unfortunately, USNPGS did not give me the full course, and ‘exempted’ me from the SECRET stuff as we were not in NATO (they did not involve SEATO members in the nuclear programs). When I returned home, I was designated Th e Naval Weapons Offi cer, TNWO. Th e fi rst PN “open submarines” (submersible personnel carriers) were delivered from Italy for which we opened the Torpedo Shop at the Cavite Naval Ship Yard, CNSY and I joined the Left side view of a 2-man midget submarine of the Philippine Navy now fi rst PN SCUBA course. Th e Underwater displayed at the AFP Musem in Camp Aguinaldo. Photo Credit: tripadvisor. Operations Unit, UOU, was converted co.uk

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 25 MARINE ENVIRONMENT Marine Turtles and the Philippine Forest Turtle By Vicky Viray-Mendoza

ive of seven marine turtle Geoemydidae, a fresh- species (Testudines) in the water specie endemic to the Fworld can be found in the Philippines. Th e IUCN red Philippines. Th ese are the Green turtle, lists the Philippine Forest Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, turtle as critically endan- and the Leatherback. Th ese sea turtles gered, and is likewise listed are commonly called “Pawikan” in the in the Top 25 globally threat- Philippines. Th e two other species not ened turtle species. It is also present in the Philippines are the Flat- known as the Philippine pond back (Natator depressus) and the Kemp’s turtle, the Palawan turtle, or Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles. the Leyte Pond turtle. But the Philippine Forest turtle is Vulnerability. Th e International Green Turtle. Photo credit: Paul Sippel in fact from the Palawan and Union for Conservation of Nature and Dumaran Islands, not Leyte. shell, which has long been exploited for Natural Resources (IUCN) red lists the use in tortoise shell jewelry. Although Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) as Main Diet. As the Green turtle international trade of tortoise shell has critically endangered; the Green turtle matures, it becomes exclusively (Chelonia mydas) as endangered; the herbivorous. Th e Hawksbill Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Olive principally eats sponges. Th e Ridley (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Leatherback feeds almost Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) exclusively on jellyfi sh and this turtles are as vulnerable. Th e Flatback helps control jellyfi sh popula- was previously listed as vulnerable, but tions. Th e rest of the sea turtles due to lack of recent evidentiary data, –Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, it is currently listed as data-defi cient. Flatback, and Kemp’s Ridley– Th e Kemp’s Ridley is listed as critically are omnivorous, as they can endangered. eat sea cucumbers, jellyfi sh, mollusks, prawns, bryozoans, Marine Family. All sea turtle species, invertebrates, and seaweed. except the Leatherback, belong to the Th e Philippine Forest turtle is Hawksbill Turtle. Photo credit: Waterbabydive.com family Cheloniidae. Th e Leatherback also omnivorous. belongs to the family Dermochelyidae as been prohibited, rampant illegal traf- the only sea turtle without a hard shell. In Body Length and Weight. Th e Green fi cking still continues. general, a sea turtle has a fusiform body turtle can reach 3.9 ft in length and weigh Th e Loggerhead can reach 3.3 ft in type that tapers at both ends of the cara- up to 661.4 lbs. It is highly sought aft er length and weigh up to 440.9 lbs. Th e pace shell. Th e resulting smaller volume for its body fat, the main ingre- of the fusiform body means that the sea dient in the delicacy, “Green turtle cannot retract its head, legs, and Turtle Soup.” Although trading arms into the shell, like a freshwater turtle turtles in many parts of the can. Th e sea turtle is an air-breathing world has become illegal, the reptile that has lungs, thus, it regularly Green turtle continues to be surfaces to breathe. A foraging turtle traded in the market, and its typically spends 5-40 minutes under- eggs continue to be poached water, while a sleeping sea turtle remains and consumed. underwater for 4–7 hours. Th e Hawksbill can reach Philippine Freshwater Turtle. Th e 2.95 ft in length and weigh up Philippine Forest turtle (Siebenrockiella to 330.7 lbs. Th e Hawksbill leytensis) belongs to the family has a beautiful, translucent Loggerhead Turtle. Photo credit: Tortugasmarinas.org

26 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Although the most abundant weigh up to 7.7 lbs., although relatively among sea turtles, the Olive Ridley rare. Th e Philippine Forest turtle and its is highly threatened by trawling and subpopulation face a high risk of extinc- coastal development. Th e IO-SEA tion, being the newest target of illegal Paper says the Olive Ridley eggs are pet trades, and habitat destruction. considered a delicacy. Th reats. As predicted by previous Th e Leatherback, the largest workers, the recent discovery of a of the sea turtles, can reach 6 ft in natural population of the Philippine length and weigh up to 1,540 lbs. Forest turtle in Palawan has already During its long migrations, the spurred a collecting frenzy among leatherback regularly dives to Olive Ridley Turtle. Photo credit: Michael depths up to 3,281 ft in search Jensen, NOAA of gelatinous zooplankton Loggerhead is named for its large head to eat. Unfortunately, the and powerful jaws, and known for vast Leatherback is rapidly declining migrations, traveling thousands of miles in many areas of the world largely across ocean basins, putting itself in due to bycatch, and will drown grave danger due to worldwide habitat in the net if it cannot surface to loss, and incidental capture by fi shing breathe. Th e IO-SEA Paper says vessels at sea and along the coastlines. the Leatherback is largely hunted for its meat.

Th e Flatback can reach Kemp’s Ridley Turtle. Photo credit: US National 3.1 ft in length, weigh up to Park Service 220.5 lbs., and is indigenous wildlife trappers and traders to supply to Australian waters. It has a fl at- domestic and international markets tened carapace with upturned for the illegal wildlife trade. In spite of edges that enables it to stay its offi cial protected status in local and underwater for a longer period international listings, the illegal trade of than other turtle species can. the Philippine Forest turtle is high and Th e Kemp’s Ridley can reach is the greatest threat to the species. Th is 2.3 ft in length, and weigh up Leatherback Turtle. Photo credit: Waterbaby- to 132.3 lbs. It is the smallest dive.com of the sea turtles and has an extremely restricted Th e IO-SEA Paper says the Loggerhead range, nesting only along the eggs are considered a delicacy. Caribbean shores of northern Th e Olive Ridley can reach 2.3 ft Mexico and Texas. 50 years ago, in length and weigh up to 154.3 lbs. It the Kemp’s Ridley was near extinc- comes ashore by the thousands to nest, tion. Although this species now a spectacle called “Arribada” in Spanish. shows signs of recovery, fi shing nets and coastal development continue to threaten the species, and much work Philippine Forest Turtle. remains to be done before it can be considered safe. threat is aggravated by the continuing Th e Philippine Forest turtle destruction of the lowland forests of is the largest and heaviest Palawan, the primary habitat of the Geoemydid turtle. It has a brown species. Should the current trend of to reddish brown to black cara- over-exploitation continue unabated, it pace that normally reaches 8.3 is a certainty that the critically endan- inches in length. Th e larger ones gered Philippine Forest turtle will Flatback Turtle. Photo credit: Seaturtlecamp.org can reach 12 inches in length and soon be extinct. In the face of these

MAY-JUN 2016 Maritime Review 27 MARINE ENVIRONMENT

threats, wildlife authorities in Palawan Th e illegal catch of Green and Hawksbill for improvement in countries where the must immediately enforce laws and turtles in the Coral Triangle area, partic- existing fi nes are inadequate as a deter- encourage greater coordination among ularly in Indonesian, Malaysian and rent to illegal activity, where a lack of the appropriate government agencies Philippine waters, appears to be perpe- harmonization of legislation across prov- that rather typically work in isolation. trated mainly by Chinese (Hainan) and inces induces domestic trade, and where Vietnamese turtle fi sheries operations. It is existing legislation is poorly enforced.” Problems continue to prevail due to the highly probable that the seizures captured lure of fi nancial gain from trading the wild- In early 1982, the Philippine to-date represent only a small fraction of life turtles as pets, lucky charms, food, and Government, through the Protected total illegal take and trade. medicinal powder in foreign countries. Areas and Wildlife Bureau- Conservation. Extra care should be Department of Environment and John B. Virata reported recently in taken when informing local and foreign Natural Resources (PAWB-DENR), Reptile Magazine that “China’s demand tourists about the hatching season of the launched the Pawikan Conservation for sea turtle soup, turtle eggs, shells, turtles. Otherwise, dead turtle hatch- Project of marine turtles. and turtle bones ground up for use in lings can become a casualty of tourism. medicine, has caused Chinese fi sherman In mid 1996, the agreement for the Th e Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature to travel up to 700 miles off mainland establishment and management of Club in Subic is one of the habitats where China to hunt sea turtles in Philippine Turtle Islands Heritage Park (TIHPA) nesting sites of the Olive Ridley turtles are waters, according to a report on PRI. was signed between the Philippine and protected. Last February, 300 people were org. It further reports that Malaysian Governments. Chinese fi sherman have It created the fi rst trans- depleted the population boundary protected of these Chelonians, many area for marine turtles. of them on the IUCN Red Straddling 9 islands (6 in list of endangered species, the Philippines; and 3 in off the coast of China and Malaysia) between the have begun poaching Philippines and Malaysia turtles in the Philippines, in the Sulu Sea, the TIHPA and especially off the coast and Berau Indonesia of Palawan, a Philippine became sanctuary for over hub for ecotourism near 1,000 Green turtles in waters that are contested by Southeast Asia. other countries, including China.” In late 1999, the Bantay Pawikan undertook the According to Th e fi rst in-situ turtle conser- Indian Ocean–South vation project called East Asian Marine Photo credit: IOSEATurtles.org the Community-Based Turtle Memorandum of Pawikan Conservation Understanding (IO-SEAMT MoU), in the small village of Nagbalayong, certain hotspots have been identi- present at Anvaya Cove to witness the in Morong, Bataan. Th e members of fi ed within the IO-SEAMT region release of the Olive Ridley hatchlings, and the Bantay Pawikan were former turtle regarding poaching of marine turtles. watch the turtles crawl back to the sea. egg poachers. Th ese poachers-turned- Th e gathered information suggests that conservationists were at the forefront to Conservation programs must priori- intensive turtle poaching at sea appears protect the turtles that breed and nest tize eff orts to monitor and curb illegal to be conducted mainly by Chinese and in the biggest nesting beach of the Olive collection of marine turtles and the Vietnamese operations concentrated Ridley turtles in the Philippines. Th us, Philippine Forest turtle. Laws must be on resource-rich waters of Indonesia, in 2001, the project received a grant enforced and high fi nes must be admin- Malaysia and Philippines. from the United Nations Development istered. Th e IOSEA Paper reports that Programme (UNDP) for the continu- Th e IO-SEA Paper fi nds that the Coral “virtually all IOSEA countries have ance of the project. Triangle region of Southeast Asia has been enacted legislation to prohibit direct take identifi ed as a hotspot for marine turtle and trade in turtles and turtle deriva- In late 2006, an agreement between poaching, as evidenced by numerous tives, with a number of countries having Katala Foundation and PAWB-DENR seizures at sea, oft en involving hundreds increased fi nes or tightened prohibi- on the Philippine Freshwater Turtle of dead animals in a single operation. tions in recent years. But there is room Conservation Program (PFTCP) was

28 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016 MARINE ENVIRONMENT signed to conserve Philippine fresh- using satellites to track sea turtles in the In the Pipeline. New methods in water turtle populations and habitats, to open sea. Th is involves the attachment endangered marine species repopula- conduct scientifi c research on biology of a transmitter to the back of an adult tion will be the paramount focus through and management of these turtles and its or juvenile sea turtle, which transmits the planned Marine Conservation habitats and to educate and capacitate signals to a passing Argos satellite when Research and Development Center in stakeholders for its conservation. the turtle surfaces for air. Th is satellite Zambales. Th e center will be accessible transmits information to researchers on to all academic workers and researchers One of the objectives of the Katala land. With the aid of computer mapping from the Philippines and overseas. Also Institute for Ecology and Biodiversity programs, the turtle’s swimming speed in Zambales, the Marine Turtle Hatchery Conservation (KIEBC) in Palawan and its migratory route may be identi- Project and the Coral Reef Propagation is to develop protocols for rescue, fi ed. Monitoring sea turtle populations Program, manned by Filipino and conservation breeding, habitat restora- this way helps identify major feeding foreign volunteers, aim to provide a tion, and eventually reintroduction of grounds and the various threats faced at better future for several endangered sea selected highly threatened wild species sea. Th is knowledge enables scientists, turtles, and habitat protection. of Palawan, like the Philippine cockatoo conservationists and governments to and the Philippine freshwater turtle. Sobering Statistics. Th e Chelonian develop critical laws, policies and action Research Foundation in Massachusetts Th e Environmental Protection of plans for the protection and conserva- fi nds that altogether there are currently Asia Foundation Inc. (EFAFI) reports tion of the sea turtles. 317 recognized species of turtles and that in an eff ort to curb the continued Marine-based projects, such as the tortoises in the world. Of those that large-scale harvesting of turtle eggs in Ocean Adventure at Subic Bay and have been assessed on the IUCN Red the region, WWF-Philippines converted Zambales, are fostering the need for List, 63% are threatened, 10% are criti- the Turtle Islands Heritage Park into a protection and propagation of endan- cally endangered, and 42% of all known natural laboratory where relevant scien- gered marine turtles and manatees turtle species are threatened. Without a tifi c research may be undertaken. Th e (Dugong), as well as the restoration and directed strategic conservation planning, turtles’ life patterns and movements may preservation of coral reefs throughout a signifi cant portion of turtle diversity be studied using telemetry, a method the Philippine archipelago. could be lost over the next century.  date!!! SSaveave tthehe date!!! OOctoberctober 114,4, 22016016 ((Friday)Friday) 7 aamm TThehe 1st1st MMaritimearitime LLeagueeague GGolfolf TournamentTournament PPhilippinehilippine NNavyavy GGolfolf CCourseourse

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32 Maritime Review MAY-JUN 2016