Resupply of Ayungin Shoal detachment to push through in 2 weeks–Wescom

By Rex Anthony Naval

THE resupply of the military detachment manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57) in Ayungin Shoal will push through in two weeks, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) head Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said late Thursday.

“Resupply in two weeks, yun muna ang gagawin namin [that is what we will do],” he added during a media briefing in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last Thursday, August 10.

This resupply is needed as the August 5 rotation and resupply (RORE) mission was not completed after Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and China Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels harassed the two Filipino supply boats and their escorts, forcing one of the Philippine sea craft to turn away due to the harassment.

Carlos also clarified that they will not “abandon Ayungin [Shoal] and we will not pull out [the] BRP Sierra Madre.”

The Wescom chief also said they are studying other courses of action to prolong the Philippines’ stay in the area, including the refurbishment of the BRP Sierra Madre.

‘Swarming’ at Mischief Reef reported

And based on their latest monitoring which was last Wednesday, August 9, Carlos said they have detected around 400 foreign vessel intrusions in the WPS, with 191 of these spotted near the vicinity of Mischief Reef, which lies 134 nautical miles away from Palawan.

Also, the Wescom chief said 85 percent of these ship intrusions are “Chinese.”

Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who was briefed by Carlos Thursday, said that they are looking at the possibility of deploying more ships and aircraft to protect its possessions at the WPS, and to secure the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“We really have to establish our presence in the area,” he added.

The AFP chief also said the military is also looking at the possibility of tapping reservists for these missions.

“When we say reserve forces it’s not just land-based forces, so we are also trying to build up our reservists who will be able to operate in the sea. So parte yun. And then of course yun nga yung gusto nga natin na yung mga fisherfolk natin ay gawin din nating reservists at tuturuan natin sila kung paano sila makakatulong sa pagdepensa ng atingbansa.[When we say reserve forces, we also mean building up our reservists who can operate in the sea. And we want fisherfolk to become reservists—we will train them to help defend our country],” he said.

Brawner said they are not just focusing on Ayungin Shoal and the BRP Sierra Madre, but at the whole picture of the WPS.

He said they would need funds to improve their facilities there.

“Kailangan talaga nating palakasin pa yungpresencenatinsaWPS and this will entail more funds kaya talagang hihingi rin kami sa Kongreso natin na madagdagan pa yung pondonatinsaWPS. [We need to strengthen our presence in the WPS and this will entail more funds. So we will really ask Congress for such funds],” Brawner said.

Resupply party

AS this developed, legal and security experts

Go tells Baliwag grads: Use education as a force for good

‘KAYOpoangkinabukasanngbayang

urged the Philippine government to do a joint patrol with like-minded allies in its next resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal.

F ormer Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said we could follow the examples of Malaysia and Indonesia, which continued their survey and naval drills in their EEZ in the South China Sea, together with the United States and Australia, despite warnings from the CCG.

“ We can have joint patrols with the US at the same time [in the next resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal]. We can calibrate it. Remember, Malaysia and Indonesia were able to survey and drill despite warnings from the Chinese Coast Guard that the area falls within the nine-dash line...They sent their Navy together with the survey ship and the drilling ship, and, at the same time, the US and Australia conducted naval drills in the same area, that’s for Malaysia. For Indonesia, the US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan happened to pass by,” Carpio explained.

Ex-mayor Atienza backs PBBM move to halt all land-reclamation projects in Manila Bay

AFORMER Manila mayor who had strongly opposed reclamation projects in Manila Bay on Friday backed the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to suspend all reclamation projects straddling four southern cities and one province.

Former Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, who once also head the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said in a statement: “Truly, he is our only hope to see the wrongfulness of approving 22 reclamation projects in the Bay. We also support the investigation into how these projects came about. What yardstick was used to allow all this in the first place?”

“No one will benefit from it but the private owners. Enough is enough! BBM should continue protecting the welfare of the people and not just a few,” added Atienza, the only

Manila mayor who served three successive terms, during which he championed a redevelopment of the districts facing Manila Bay, creating the acclaimed Baywalk area.

According to Atienza, the reclamation projects did not even pass the local government of Manila. “So, who approved this in Manila? We strongly condemn this irresponsible disregard [for] future generations,” he added.

In 1995, during his term as Vice Mayor of Manila, Atienza said they passed Ordinance No. 7777, banning all forms of reclamation in Manila Bay.

“Our commitment to protect Manila Bay has always taken precedence. We continued this during our three terms as Mayor of Manila and even developed the promenade into what became known as the Baywalk. This afforded people with an unimpeded view of the spectacular Manila Bay sunset,” he said.

But this ordinance, Atienza said, was repealed by the succeeding administration.

“This opened the floodgates that allowed reclamation projects in the Bay. We continued our crusade for the protection of the Bay as Environment Secretary when we sided with the environmentalists who were forcing the government to clean up Manila Bay,” he said.

Atienza also said environmentalists were surprised when they sided with their position before the Supreme Court, contrary to past DENR administrations.

“Because of this, the Supreme Court in 2008 issued a writ of continuing mandamus to clean up, rehabilitate, preserve, and restore it to its pristine condition—not to put dolomite sand, but to clean the waters,” he said.

“Tamakayo[You are right], Mr. President, nawala na ang tubig sa [the water is gone from] Manila Bay. Had BBM not intervened and stopped these 22 projects, we would have lost the Bay—the biggest jewel of the City of Manila. This Bay has benefited our generation and will benefit future ones,” Atienza added.

O n Thursday, at a briefing in Malacañang, current DENR Secretary Maria Antonia YuloLoyzaga said an order stopping all landreclamation activities would be issued shortly to enforce President Marcos’ suspension order, issued verbally. A review is also underway for all projects as part of the DENR’s mandate from the SC.

Land reclamation in an environmentally critical area as Manila Bay—a key water body and major fishing ground in Luzon—requires a rigid and thorough review, she added.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

ito at edukasyon ang tanging puhunannatinsamundongito.[You are the future of this nation and education is our only investment in this world].”

With these words, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go exhorted graduates of the Dalubhasaang Politekniko ng Lungsod ng Baliwag (DPLB) to take their studies seriously and aspire to be of service to the country.

Baliuag City Mayor Ferdinand Estrella had invited Go to serve as Guest Speaker during the 14th Commencement Ceremony of DPLB on Wednesday.

Go assured the youth he and the entire government will be with them “in your journey. Be assured of our continued support for your dreams and aspirations,” he told the graduates, speaking partly in Filipino.

Underscoring the importance of education as the foundation for a prosperous future, he conveyed his belief that education empowers individuals to transcend their circumstances, equipping them with the tools needed to contribute positively to society.

Education, he said, “is one of the most potent weapons we can use for change. In these times, it’s not enough that we have the consciousness, we also need knowledge. And with your graduation, hope springs for the future of our country,” he said in Filipino.

“I salut e you,” he said, for their hard work in securing their diplomas. “Certainly, what you have achieved is no small feat, and I congratulate you all.”

Go also shed light on his unwavering dedication to education reform and his efforts to enhance educational opportunities for all Filipinos.

“BilanginyongkuyaBongGo,natutuwa ako sa oportunidad na ibinigay sa akin ng mga Pilipino para makapagsilbi sa kanila. Masayatayonahindilangtayonagsusulong ng mga polisiya para sa ikagaganda ng kalidad ng edukasyon at health care sa Baliwag [City] at sa buong bansa, kundi nagkaroon din tayo ng parte sa pag-unlad ng inyong lungsod,” he added.

(As your Kuya Bong Go, I am happy for the opportunity to serve. I am happy to push policies to improve the quality of education and health care in Baliwag and the entire country).

T he lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 1190, which aims to expand the purpose and application of the Special Education Fund

(SEF), envisioning a broader scope for SEF utilization, enabling local governments to allocate resources for the improvement of educational facilities, teacher training, and the procurement of necessary educational materials.

Go also filed SBN 1360 to build upon the successes of the Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. This seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy, ensuring that more aspiring college students can access financial assistance for their higher education pursuits.

As co-author and co-sponsor, he also supported the passage of Republic Act 11509 or the Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act setting up a medical scholarship and return service program for deserving students.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go authored and co-sponsored the bill that transformed into Republic Act No. 11470, laying the foundation for the establishment of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020.

In his speech, Go also ga ve recognition to the teachers and parents who were instrumental in providing quality education to the youth.

“Alam n’yo ang mga magulang natin, ako magulang na rin po ako. Kami po’y halos magpakamatay magtrabaho para lang po maibigay sa inyo ang magandang kinabukasan...Kaya bilang ganti mahalin naman natin ang ating mga magulang hanggangsakanilangpagtanda.Huwagho natin silang pabayaan dahil wala tayo sa mundong ito kung hindi po dahil sa ating mga magulang,” he shared.

A fter inspiring the graduates with his message, he also provided tokens to those who graduated with honors and offered to help those with medical concerns as chair of the Senate Committee on Health. He also reminded them that there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide that are operational and ready to help poor and indigent patients.

T he Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, brings together various government agencies such as DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof to provide a convenient process for availing medical assistance particularly for poor and indigent patients in public hospitals.