MANILA – Larger and slower aircraft, such as the NC-212i medium transport, are better suited for maritime air patrols, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

“For maritime patrols, faster aircraft like the FA-50 are less effective because their speed limits their ability to observe objects below. We prefer using slower aircraft for these missions,” Brawner told reporters when asked about the feasibility of deploying the FA-50PH for maritime surveillance.

The FA-50PH can reach speeds of up to Mach 1.5—one and a half times the speed of sound—while the NC-212i has a top speed of 230 miles per hour.

Brawner noted that the choice of aircraft for specific missions depends on the ground commander. He also mentioned that they are awaiting a report from the NC-212i crew regarding their encounter with Chinese military aircraft on August 8 at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), where the Philippine plane was reportedly harassed.

So far, the AFP has received information about dangerous maneuvers and the dropping of flares by Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft during the Philippine Air Force’s maritime patrol.

ia/mnm

MANILA – AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated that Filipino troops will “respond appropriately” to any future harassment in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), following a recent incident where China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel harassed a Philippine resupply contingent.

Under the Rules of Engagement (ROE), troops have the right to defend themselves with proportional force. Brawner emphasized that Filipino troops will match the level of aggression they face without resorting to excessive force.

The incident on June 17 involved CCG personnel threatening Filipino troops with knives to disrupt a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, also damaging Philippine boats.

Gen. Brawner assured that Philippine forces will not allow themselves to be bullied and will continue to fulfill their duties by the law.

(el Amigo/mnm)

MANILA — The reactivation of a once-dormant intelligence unit within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which played a crucial role in apprehending coup and communist party leaders during the 1980s and 1990s, has been reactivated.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Romeo Brawner Jr., oversaw the reactivation ceremony for the AFP Counter-intelligence Group (AFPCIG) in a simple event held at the Camp Aguinaldo headquarters in Quezon City on Thursday.

In a statement, Brawner highlighted that the decision to operationalize AFPCIG stemmed from “the commitment of the Commander-in-Chief to safeguard the nation.”

Recent reports hinted at a potential destabilization plot against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing alleged discontent from various sectors. However, Brawner dismissed these claims last week.

The AFP’s counter-intelligence group was originally established during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino in response to multiple attempts to overthrow her government.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

ARMED Forces Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr., on Wednesday (25 Oct 2023) graced the  Kapihan sa Manila Bay in Malate, Manila where he emphasized the pressing need for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines the soonest possible time.

This call for modernization comes as a response to the increasingly assertive actions by Chinese coast guards and maritime militia vessels within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

General Brawner also underscored the strategic importance of the Philippines as an archipelagic nation comprising 7,641 islands. He stressed the necessity of acquiring additional battleships and fighter jets to ensure the safeguarding of PH’s sovereignty and the preservation of the Filipinos’ democratic way of life.

Prior to this, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened a special command conference on Monday, where discussions revolved around a recent collision incident in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Subsequently, President Marcos ordered the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to launch an immediate maritime investigation into the incident.

(Benjie Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

IN THE FACE OF INCREASING CHINESE AGGRESSION, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo R. Brawner Jr. has urged lawmakers to help realize the modernization program.

This means more battle ships and jet fighters to safeguard the sovereignty and “democratic way of life” of an archipelagic country like the Philippines composed of 7,641 islands.

“Ang importante ‘yung talagang mapalakas natin ‘yung ating AFP, so nananawagan kami sa ating mga senador, sa ating mga congressmen, na suportahan po yung modernization program ng AFP. Kailangan po natin talaga makabili ng karagdagang mga barko, mga jet fighter,” Brawner said on Tuesday, October 24, in a radio interview.

He underscored that the Philippines cannot use China’s continued harassment of its ships in the WPS to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States (US).

“Hindi pa po kailangang i-invoke ‘yung MDT. ‘Yung mga mas malalang mga atake, deliberate attack for instance on our Philippine ships or an attack dito sa ating teritoryo, would necessitate ‘yung pag-invoke natin ng MDT,” Brawner clarified.

It can be recalled that the MDT signed on Aug. 30, 1951, stipulates that the Philippines and the US would support each other if either of them were to be attacked by an external party.

On Oct. 22, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels tried to prevent anew the Philippine routine resupply to BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal, deliberately bumping supply boat Unaiza May 2 and its escort, BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409).

However, the other supply boat, Unaiza May 1, completed the delivery to the troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre.

National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said China’s provocative actions are increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Support from several nations, including the US, Canada, and Japan, poured in for the Philippines while they condemned China’s “aggressive actions.”

But in a statement, the CCG claimed that the Philippine vessel had ignored repeated warnings, crossed the bow of the Chinese ship, and “deliberately provoked trouble”, causing the collision.

(ai/mnm)

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated on Wednesday that there have been no signs of China constructing any structures at Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) off the province of Zambales.

“Currently, there are no Chinese structures at Scarborough Shoal,” Brawner mentioned in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.

Last month, the China Coast Guard (CCG) placed a 300-meter floating barrier at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal, which was subsequently removed by the Philippine Coast Guard on orders from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Brawner emphasized that Scarborough Shoal is part of Philippine territory, contrary to China’s claims.

“We assert that it does not belong to them, and Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal is located within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” he added.

Brawner emphasized that the AFP has the right to patrol within the country’s EEZ as part of its mandate.

Earlier, the AFP Chief dismissed claims that a Philippine Navy (PN) ship was chased away by the CCG while conducting a maritime patrol near Scarborough Shoal.

While acknowledging that the PN vessel was challenged by the CCG, Brawner clarified that the Filipino naval vessel was not pursued and continued with its mission.

Naval Ships in ‘Exercise Samasama’ Conduct Drills

The Philippine Navy (PN) reported on Wednesday that the missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) and the US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) conducted a gunnery exercise (GUNNEX) as part of the ongoing “Exercise Samasama” on Tuesday.

This drill is part of the seagoing phase of the maneuvers, the PN added.

The exercise focused on target acquisition and engagement, as stated by the PN.

“While the BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) ensured that the GUNNEX area was clear of other vessels and safe for firing naval guns. The ship’s crews of both navies occupied their respective stations in preparation for engaging the inflatable target ‘killer tomato’ deployed by DDG-105,” the statement read.

The PN indicated that BRP Antonio Luna fired its Aselsan SMASH 30mm secondary gun and .50 caliber machine guns, while the USS Dewey used its 25mm Mk38 autocannon and .50 caliber machine guns. (ai/mnm)