Despite a steep drop in its proposed budget for 2022, the newly installed chiefs of the national police and military defended the controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). In an interview, Philippine National Police chief PGen. Dionardo Carlos said that the NTF-ELCAC is an effective body, as shown by the record… Continue reading NTF-ELCAC funds used to develop barangays in remote areas of the country — AFP chief
Philippine Army’s 53IB launches Matapat Community Firing Range in Zamboanga del Sur
The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) officially opened the Matapat Community Firing Range on Wednesday, December 1, in a simple inauguration and riboon-cutting ceremony at 53IB Headquarters in Poblacion, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, graced by the Army’s 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division Commander Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio. The Matapat Community Firing Range is a seven-bay shooting range… Continue reading Philippine Army’s 53IB launches Matapat Community Firing Range in Zamboanga del Sur
PCG responds to maritime incident in Surigao City
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Surigao del Norte on Saturday, December 4, 2021, responded to a maritime incident involving four passengers and one boat operator of a half-submerged motorbanca in the nearby seas off Kabo Island, Surigao City. Despite the gale warning, the MBCA “Jimboy” departed from Barangay Buenavista, Surigao City, bound for Barangay Balibayon,… Continue reading PCG responds to maritime incident in Surigao City
Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like ‘rehearsals’- Pentagon chief
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday said Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like “rehearsals” though he did not indicate that he expected Beijing actually to carry out such operations. Cross-strait tensions have been rising in recent months, with Taiwan complaining for a year or more of repeated missions by China’s air force near… Continue reading Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like ‘rehearsals’- Pentagon chief
Russia, ASEAN conclude first joint naval exercise
Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have concluded their first joint naval exercise, Indonesia’s navy said on Saturday, as the region faces rising tensions with China. The three-day exercise off the coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island aimed at increasing interoperability between the ASEAN member states and the Russian navy in the strategic… Continue reading Russia, ASEAN conclude first joint naval exercise
Troops recover CTG’s war materials in Zamboanga del Norte
Following a firefight in Zamboanga del Norte on December 3, 2021, army troops seized communist terrorist group’s war materials. According to the report, at around 4:40 PM on December 3, troops of the 44th Infantry Battalion engaged with more or less ten armed men believed to be remnants of the defunct Guerilla Front Feliciano-Alpha and… Continue reading Troops recover CTG’s war materials in Zamboanga del Norte
Arms caches found by troops in Sultan Kudarat
Soldiers from the 7th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force Central on Friday, December 3, 2021, uncovered arms caches in Sultan Kudarat. Several armaments concealed in Sitio Kanalan, Barangay Marquez, Esperanza province were discovered by operating soldiers. The caches, as per Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command, contain 34 12-gauge… Continue reading Arms caches found by troops in Sultan Kudarat
Navy conducts community relations activity in Bohol
Naval Forces Central conducted community relations activities at Balicasag Island, Bohol, through BRP Abraham Campo (PC396) and the 521st Naval Reserve Squadron (521st NSR) on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Commanding Officer, PC396, CDR Kenneth N. Rosalejos PN handed-over 60 personal protective equipment (PPE) laboratory gowns to Mayor of Panglao Island, Bohol represented by Alejandro Arbutante,… Continue reading Navy conducts community relations activity in Bohol
US Army keen to expand Southeast Asia access amid China worries
The US Army is keen to expand its access and basing arrangements in Southeast Asia as part of a strategy to deter China, the secretary of the army said on Wednesday. Christine Wormuth told a Washington think tank such a posture shift was in the interests of both the United States and its allies and… Continue reading US Army keen to expand Southeast Asia access amid China worries
PH, Indonesia further strengthen partnership through regular coordinated patrol
Eastern Mindanao Command through the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao regularly conducts coordinated patrol with Indonesian Navy (CORPAT PHILINDO) of common border and its adjacent waters. During one of the iterations of CORPAT this year, BRP ANDRES BONIFACIO (PS17) under the operational control of Naval Task Force 71 navigated the border in formation with KRI KAKAP… Continue reading PH, Indonesia further strengthen partnership through regular coordinated patrol