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Steel cutting for 2 Navy corvettes set in May, November: DND

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong (PNA file photo by Joey Razon) MANILA - The steel cutting for the two brand-new corvettes which is expected to augment the Philippine Navy's (PN) two Jose Rizal-class missile frigates now in service is expected to take place in May and November this year. "Steel cutting for the first corvette is set in May 2023, while the second corvette will happen on November 2023," Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday when sought for updates on the Corvette Acquisition Program. The steel cutting officially marks the start of the construction of any ship. Andolong said the steel cutting is expected to proceed in these months as South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is now in the process of finalizing the critical design review (CDR) for the two corvettes. Last year, the HHI completed its preliminary design review which was first subjected to a Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) before it proceeded with the CDR. The same will be done with the CDR once it is completed. Andolong said the steel cutting will begin once the CDR is reviewed and approved by the TIAC. The CDR is considered the "shipbuilder's bible" while the ships are being built. The DND signed a PHP28-billion contract with HHI for the acquisition of two brand-new corvettes for the PN, which are capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions on Dec. 27, 2021, and will be more heavily armed than the Jose Rizal-class frigates. Former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier announced that the agency was able to meet its target of having the PN Corvette Lot 1 Acquisition Project contract signed before the end of 2021 despite the delays caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Lorenzana said acquiring the two corvettes from HHI, where the two Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigates were also built, will ensure commonality and interoperability. The two Jose Rizal class frigates were delivered and commissioned from 2020 to 2021. The Special Allotment Release Order for the 15 percent advance payment for the PN's CAP worth PHP3.75 billion was released by the Department of Budget and Management on Dec. 10, 2021. (PNA) }

Jose-rizal , Laguna , Philippines , Manila , Philippine , Benguet , South-korea , South-korean , Arsenio-andolong , Delfin-lorenzana , Corvette-acquisition-program , Philippine-navy

Steel cutting for Navy's brand-new corvettes to start in Q4 2022

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong (Photo courtesy of DND) MANILA - The steel cutting for the two corvettes to be acquired from South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), is expected to begin by the fourth quarter of this year. Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong confirmed this when sought for an update on the Philippine Navy (PN)'s Corvette Acquisition Program (CAP). "(HHI) completed the preliminary design review (PDR) for the corvettes last week. It will be subjected to a TIAC (Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee). Once the PDR is approved by the TIAC, HHI will then proceed to do CDR (Critical Design Review)," he added in a message Thursday night. Andolong said the steel cutting will begin once the CDR is reviewed and approved by the TIAC. The CDR is considered the "shipbuilder's bible" while the ships are being built. "Only when the CDR is approved by the TIAC will steel cutting begin. This will start by the fourth quarter or around November," Andolong said. Steel cutting officially starts the construction of any ship. The DND signed a PHP28-billion contract with HHI for the acquisition of two brand-new corvettes for the PN, which are capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions, last December 27. Former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier announced that the agency was able to meet its target of having the PN Corvette Lot 1 Acquisition Project contract signed before the end of 2021 despite the delays caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Lorenzana said acquiring the two corvettes from HHI, where the two Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigates were also built, will ensure commonality and interoperability. The Special Allotment Release Order for the 15 percent advance payment for the PN's CAP, which is worth PHP3.75 billion, was released by the Department of Budget and Management on Dec. 10, 2021. (PNA) }

Manila , Philippines , Philippine , Benguet , South-korea , South-korean , Arsenio-andolong , Delfin-lorenzana , Hyundai-heavy-industries , Philippine-navy-pn-corvette-acquisition-program , Department-of-national-defense , Acceptance-committee

Food Panda ordered to pay P2.2-M to dismissed Davao riders

DAVAO CITY - The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) Regional Arbitration Branch 11 here has declared Foodpanda Philippines guilty of illegally terminating the employment of seven delivery riders. The 31-page decision of the NLRC 11 (Davao region), signed by Labor Arbiter Rovyne Jumao-as, also ordered the company to pay the complainants PHP2.2 million. Likewise, Foodpanda Philippines was ordered to pay the complainants their respective attorney's fees amounting to PHP222,346. "As labor tribunals, we ensure that this paramount consideration in upholding the rights of labor should not be lost in the analysis of every attempt to create a working relationship utilizing labor in the guise of contractual freedom, where labor is almost always in the losing end," read the decision, released to reporters Friday. The NLRC-11 also assured that labor rights should be "recognized and continuously guaranteed." "Labor is still an individual's daily feat to put food on their family's table, and because of this they may ever be willing to adjust to their employer's demands if it means sustainability of their life," it said. The complaint was filed by former FoodPanda riders Edmund Deala Carillo, Francis Ghlenn Suplag Costan, Nerjhun Habagat Claramon, Manuel Dolendo Lapina, Roberto Jabines Gonzaga, Jeffrey Batingan Cabusas, and Nawar Sarip Solaiman. In July last year, Carillo, who acts as the president and co-founder of the Davao United Delivery Riders Association, Inc., said about 300 riders planned a silent protest against the firm for the low income they have been getting since mid-2020. He said the silent protest was not finalized when Food Panda released a 10-year suspension against 30 accounts on July 13, 2021. (PNA) }

New-york , United-states , Athens , Attikír , Greece , California , Port-au-prince , Ouest , Haiti , Poland , South-korea , Warsaw

PBBM order to secure PH territory trickles down to defense sector

#PBBMSONA2022 MANILA - Like previous commanders-in-chief before him, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. vowed to "defend every square inch of the country's territory". In this regard, the Department of National Defense (DND) has a vital role in protecting the country's territories and upholding its sovereignty. While going to war is not an option, the Philippines has made significant gains in terms of upgrading its territorial defense capability through the acquisition of military assets and escalation of maritime patrols to combat the threat of terrorism and prevent incursions that may ignite tensions. The Marcos administration is expected to take over the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, which is now about to enter its Third Horizon from 2023 to 2028. The AFP Modernization Program's Horizon Two is scheduled for 2018 to 2022 while Horizon One covered the years 2013 to 2017 and resulted in the acquisition of the three Del Pilar-class frigates, 12 FA-50PH light-lift interim fighters, and two strategic sealift vessels, among others. Boosting aerial defense On July 1, Marcos expressed his support for a modernized AFP when he attended the 75th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga. In his message, the President vowed to continue the ongoing defense initiatives to enable the PAF to keep the country "free, progressive, and secured". "The ongoing defense modernization effort is in coordination with the basic prerequisites that would complement this administration's vision for a stronger, bigger, and effective air force, capable of defending and maintaining our sovereign state and of assisting our people in times of dire consequences and today's reality," he said. The President added that he will seek further improvement of the aerial and surveillance capabilities of the PAF, considering that the Philippines has territorial disputes with other countries. He vowed to equip the PAF with additional "state-of-the-art" fighter planes and arm it with more firepower. "The enhancement of the PAF's capabilities is one of the top priorities of this administration. A more modern aerial and surveillance capability is all the more felt, given the territorial disputes that we in the Philippines are involved in," the Chief Executive added. The Air Force, meanwhile, lauded the President's announcements and vowed to coordinate and work with the new administration to ensure that the service's modernization will continue without fail. Some of the modern air assets acquired by the Philippine Air Force.(Screengrab from RTVM video) "We will continue to work, and help the new leadership make the pronouncement a reality, our Technical Working Group is working round the clock to be able to present viable projects and solutions to challenges for the PAF modernization," PAF spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). He added that these preparations will allow senior military and defense leaders to make a decision on the PAF's modernization requirements. "(Preparing these viable projects and solutions will) make it ready for senior AFP/DND senior leadership decisions," Mariano said. Mariano earlier said the PAF is currently in the process of choosing between the latest model of the American-made Lockheed Martin F-16s and the Swedish-made Saab JAS-39 for its multi-role fighter (MRF) project. While the project has been approved by the past administration, the PAF said funds have yet to be allocated for it. PAF chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas Sr. said the deal for the MRF project may be signed this year. The project also requires 12 MRFs at least capable of patrolling the country's protected waters and airspace. The MRF is part of Horizon Two of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, which aims to acquire more equipment for external defense. Maritime territorial defense The Marcos administration will also see the fruition of the Philippines' offshore patrol vessel (OPV) deal with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). The PHP30-billion deal signed by former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana and HHI vice chairperson and president Sam Hyun Ka last June 28 seeks to provide six OPVs to the Philippine Navy (PN). OPV DEAL.Former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana (left) and HHI vice chairperson and presidentSam Hyun Ka (right)shake hands following the signing of the contract for the acquisition of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Philippine Navy in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on June 27, 2022. The OPVs are expected to replace the World War II surface assets decommissioned by the PN.(Photo courtesy of DND) The OPV project aims to further enhance the maritime patrol capabilities of the PN and includes technology transfer, particularly human engineering operators and maintenance training of equipment, operations training, technical publications and manuals. Last June 16, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released initial funding of PHP3 billion for the OPV project under Special Allotment Release Order (SARO)-BMD-D-22-0004970. Taking cue from Marcos' marching orders, DND officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. vowed to continue the initiatives started by Lorenzana, who left behind a legacy of jumpstarting the military's modernization. Under Lorenzana's watch, the military has acquired several high-end military equipment like the two Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigates, two AgustaWestland AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopters, 16 S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters, and six A-29B "Super Tucano" attack aircraft. He also discussed his priorities such as defending the nation's territorial integrity, protecting the Filipino people and ensuring state sovereignty. During his first official visit to the Puerto Princesa, Palawan-based Western Command (Wescom) last July 14, Faustino also assured the continuity of all infrastructure projects of the command under the "Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad" (TIKAS) Convergence Program of the DND and the Department of Public Works and Highways. WESCOM VISIT.Defense department officer in charge, Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., meets with ranking officials of the Western Command (Wescom) in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Thursday (July 14, 2022). Faustino assured the continuity of all infrastructure projects of Wescom under the TIKAS Convergence Program of the departments of defense and public works.(Photo courtesy of Wescom) "We will prioritize mission essential infrastructures in all Philippine-held islands in the Kalayaan Island Group and the West Philippine Sea," he added. During his visit, Faustino met with Wescom commander Vice Adm. Alberto B. Carlos Jr. and ranking officials and reiterated the guidance of President Marcos. "We will ensure the smooth implementation of our modernization program in order to strengthen the protection of our sovereignty, defense of our territorial integrity, and ensure the continuity of our peaceful way of life. Indeed, the future will be so bright with us working in unity, manifested by our consistent and synergized actions," he added. He also called his posting to the DND an honor and expressed his appreciation for the warm response of its officials and employees to his appointment. Faustino, a retired AFP chief-of-staff, will assume office as defense secretary on Nov. 13, after the one-year appointment ban on retired military officials. He retired as AFP chief after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on November 12, 2021. (PNA) }

Manila , Philippines , Philippine , Benguet , Palawan , Dapitan , Camp-aguinaldo , Quezon-city , Puerto-princesa , Kalayaan , Laguna , South-korea

105 NPA 'mass supporters' cut ties with Reds in Ilocos Norte

PEACE COVENANT. A farmer-beneficiary receives a goat from the government during the signing of a peace covenant to promote peace and order in the country on Sunday (June 26, 2022) in Currimao, Ilocos Norte. At least 105 members of the Alyansa Dagiti Mannalon iti Ilocos Norte signed the covenant. (Contributed) LAOAG CITY - More than 100 farmer-leaders and members of the Alyansa Dagiti Mannalon iti Ilocos Norte (AMIN) who are perceived as supporters of the New People's Army received livestock, food packs, eyeglasses, canes, and other essential government services on Sunday afternoon. Held at the Ernesto G. Go Mega Complex in Currimao town, each of them signed a peace covenant to abide by the laws and legal orders of government authorities and condemn any form of violence, oppression, force, or threat that may impair, impede or disrupt the peace ad order in the country. In his short speech, Mayor Edward Quilala thanked the government forces, as well as other representatives of various government agencies for extending support to the farmers who were deceived and intimidated by the terrorist group. "Let us be discerning in all our actions. We are in a deep crisis and there are those who will take advantage of us but the government is here. You can come to us and request whatever you wish [from the government]," he said. According to Lt. Col. Ricardo Garcia III, 24th Infantry Battalion commander, the AMIN is a Communist Peoples Party-affiliated peasant organization in the province that uses social media to sow hatred and animosity against the government. But through the intensive implementation of the Duterte administration's whole-of-nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict in the country, Garcia said the group voluntarily executed their oath of allegiance to denounce and condemn the ideologies and unlawful acts of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF). "This is a welcome development and a commendable accomplishment as a result of the efficient and effective implementation of Executive Order No. 70," Garcia said. "Thank you for your support. We were misled by the wrong ideology. I hope these government programs will continue," said one of the farmer-beneficiaries. The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021. (PNA) }

Australia , Philippines , United-states , New-zealand , United-kingdom , Canada , Laoag , Ilocos-norte , The-philippines , Alyansa-dagiti-mannalon , Edward-quilala , Party-of-the-philippines

Comelec to resume voter registration for village, SK polls

(File photo) MANILA - Voter registration is set to resume next month or July, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said. Commissioner George Garcia said the registration will start six months before the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls later this year. "By June or July, we will already resume the registration of voters," he said in a press conference. "To those that have yet to become registered voters, watch out for the resumption of voter registration by June or by the first week of July," he said. The voter registration is not only for regular voters or those 18 years old and above, but also those who are looking to vote in the SK polls. Garcia added that registration is also the start of their preparations for the December barangay and SK elections. The voter registration for the May 2022 elections ended on Oct. 30, 2021. (PNA) }

Manila , Philippines , Barangay , Pangasinan , George-garcia , Commission-on-elections-comelec , Sangguniang-kabataan , Ile-photo-manila-voter-registration-is-set-to-resume-next-month-or-july , He-commission-on-elections-comelec-monday-said-commissioner-george-garcia-the-registration-will-start-six-months-before-holding-of-barangay-and-sangguniang-kabataan-sk-polls-later-this-year-quot-by-june-or-july , E-will-already-resume-the-registration-of-voters , Uot-he-said-ina-press-conference-quot-to-those-that-have-yet-become-registered-voters , Atch-out-for-the-resumption-of-voter-registration-by-june-or-first-week-july

SC denies with finality all challenges vs. Anti-Terrorism Act

Supreme Court Baguio City(Facebook photo) BAGUIO CITY - The Supreme Court (SC) en banc on Tuesday slammed all doors on petitions challenging Republic Act 11479 or The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 as it denied with finality the motions for reconsideration of its Dec. 7, 2021 decision. In a statement during its summer sessions here, the SC said it "resolved to deny the motions for reconsideration due to lack of substantial issues and arguments" raised by petitioners of more than three dozen suits. The members of the SC maintained their votes in December, written by now retired Philippine Judicial Academy Chancellor Rosmari Carandang. The final copy of the decision has yet to be released as of posting time In December, the SC upheld the validity of the law except for two provisions. Aside from portions of Sections 4 and 25, all the other challenged provisions of RA 11479 were deemed constitutional. Section 4 deals with excluding mass actions and similar exercise of civil and political rights from the definition of terrorism while Section 25 is about requests by foreign agencies or bodies to designate persons as terrorists and terrorist organizations. The SC voted 12-3 to declare unconstitutional the qualifier portion of Section 4 that states "which are not intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to endanger a person's life, or to create a serious risk to public safety". This qualifier to the proviso in Section 4 "is declared as unconstitutional for being overbroad and violative of freedom of expression," the court said. Likewise stricken down by a vote of 9-6 was a portion of Section 25, paragraph 2 which allows "request for designations by other jurisdictions or supranational jurisdictions may be adopted by the ATC (Anti-Terrorism Council) after determination that the proposed designee meets the criteria for designation of UNSCR No. 1373". Among other provisions, the United Nations Security Council resolution urges members to "find ways of intensifying and accelerating the exchange of operational information, especially regarding actions or movements of terrorist persons or networks; forged or falsified travel documents; traffic in arms, explosives or sensitive materials; use of communications technologies by terrorist groups; and the threat posed by the possession of weapons of mass destruction by terrorist groups". This year's SC summer sessions are the first since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March 2020 and the first under Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who was appointed on April 5, 2021. (PNA) }

Philippine , Benguet , Philippines , Justice-alexander-gesmundo , Rosmari-carandang , United-nations-security-council , Supreme-court , Philippine-judicial-academy , Terrorism-council , Republic-act , Anti-terrorism-act , Philippine-judicial-academy-chancellor-rosmari

People urged to pray the rosary until May 9 for guidance

(File photo) MANILA-Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula together with the other Manila bishops on Saturday urged the faithful to seek the guidance of Mother Mary in choosing the candidates for the May 9 elections. In a pastoral letter, the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila asked the voters to pray the rosary with their families and communities from April 30 until May 9, election day. "Let us ask our Blessed Mother again. And let's ask her to help us vote for those who are in the heart of Jesus Christ," the prelates said in a statement. The Catholic prelates also asked the public to pray for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be able to perform their duties in holding honest and peaceful polls. "Let us also pray for the Comelec to uphold their important duty to respect and enforce the voice of the people which they express thru the casting of their votes. They may also be steadfast and true to their mandate," they said. There are only less than two weeks before the scheduled election where the over 67 million Filipino voters here and abroad will be choosing the next leaders of the country. Meanwhile, Advincula had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome on April 21, 2022. The meeting was the first time the Holy Father met the head of the Archdiocese of Manila. The pontiff appointed Advincula as cardinal on March 25, 2021. (PNA) }

Manila , Philippines , Filipino , Jesus-christ , Pope-francis , Jose-cardinal-advincula , Commission-on-elections-comelec , Manila-archbishop-jose-cardinal-advincula , Ecclesiastical-province , Holy-father , Ile-photo-manila-archbishop-jose-cardinal-advincula-together-with-the-other-bishops-on-saturday-urged-faithful-to-seek-guidance-of-mother-mary-in-choosing-candidates-for-may-9-elections-ina-pastoral-letter , He-bishops-of-the-ecclesiastical-province-manila-asked-voters-to-pray-rosary-with-their-families-and-communities-from-april-30-until-may-9

Comelec to simplify gun ban exemptions, security application

Commission on Elections Commissioner George Erwin Garcia. (File photo) TACLOBAN CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will streamline the application process for gun ban exemptions and detailing of security personnel to protect those people receiving threats this election season. Commissioner George Erwin Garcia, during a visit in Catbalogan City, Samar on Wednesday said the approval will soon be done in Comelec regional offices. "You don't have to travel to our main office in Metro Manila to secure gun ban exemption and security application. We have been receiving follow up calls begging for approval of their application. We have to speed up the process, thereby removing tedious administrative requirements," Garcia said during the signing of a peace covenant. He said specific guidelines will be tackled in the Comelec en banc session this week. Among those who stand to benefit in the streamlining are members of the judiciary, prosecutorial service, Public Attorney's Office lawyers, government personnel who are performing sensitive duties, and Comelec field personnel. The Comelec implemented the 150-day gun ban from January 9 to June 8 in line with the May 9 national and local elections. Within the period, the Comelec prohibits the unauthorized bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms and deadly weapons outside residences, businesses, and public places, according to its Resolution No. 10728. The applications for gun ban exemptions have started on Dec. 1, 2021. (PNA) }

Tacloban , Philippines , Catbalogan , Samar , Metro-manila , Philippines-general- , George-erwin-garcia , Public-attorney-office , Commission-on-elections-comelec , Catbalogan-city , Public-attorney , Commission-on-elections-commissioner-george-erwin-garcia-file-photo-tacloban-city-the-comelec-will-streamline-application-process-for-gun-ban-exemptions-and-detailing-of-security-personnel-to-protect-those-people-receiving-threats-this-election-season

Army official assures Cebuanos of peaceful elections

Joint Task Group Cebu commander Col. Jerry Borja (left). (File photo by John Rey Saavedra) CEBU CITY - The Joint Task Group (JTG) Cebu of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it is prepared to secure the province, particularly those areas with known political rivalry, and assured a peaceful campaign period and election on May 9. Col. Jerry Borja, commander of JTG Cebu, said in a statement even before the start of the election season, the military in Cebu had started coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). "Since the commencement of the election period, we have in our data more than 435 activities," Borja said, adding that most of their activities are jointly held with the police and the Comelec personnel such as road checkpoints and security patrols. Cebu has been an insurgency-free province since 2010, but JTG Cebu is closely collaborating with other law enforcement agencies in monitoring and running after private armed groups (PAGs), he said, adding, however, he has not received any reports of its presence to date. Despite the ongoing relief operations in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette, wherein personnel of JTG Cebu are helping in the packing, transportation and distribution activities, Borja said the elections remain the group's priority. He said the JTG Cebu's coverage is the entire island. Borja also pledged the military's commitment to assist the PNP, being a deputized government instrumentality of the Comelec "with the exclusive purpose of ensuring peaceful, orderly, and credible election" by virtue of Memorandum Order No. 59 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 31, 2021. (PNA) }

Philippines , Philippine , Benguet , Jerry-borja , Philippine-national-police , Commission-on-elections-comelec , Task-group , Joint-task-group , Armed-forces , Typhoon-odette , Memorandum-order , President-rodrigo-duterte