Monday, December 31, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ON BEHALF OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE DEFENDERS OF PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY COMMUNITY, HAPPY NEW YEAR GREETINGS TO ALL THE DEFENDERS OF THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: the Philippine Navy, thePhilippine MarinesWestern Command (WESCOM) the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Coast Guard, THE INHABITANTS OF THE Philippine Spratly territories, and every single defender of Philippine sovereignty! 

May the Lord guide and protect you all! MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! 




WELCOME TO PATAG AND LAWAK ISLANDS, Philippine Spratly territories! shown in the midst of the deep blue sea, Patag and Lawak (behind)...
It would be nice to do a tourism drive for both Patag (front)and Lawak (back) islands in the Philippine Spratly territories! Defenders of the Spratly claim must join up and do a jamboree on one of these two fine-looking beaches!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Good luck to Vice-Admiral Alano as he takes over Philippine Navy and steers the course of this country's defence of troubled waters



NEW NAVY LEADERSHIP!

Vice-Admiral Luis M. Alano, takes over from Vice-Admiral Pama as Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy for less than 15 months

The community of Defenders of the Philippine Sovereignty 
congratulate and welcome the Philippine Navy's new Flag-Officer-In-Command, Vice-Admiral Luis M. Alano and wish him the very best as he steers the course of this country's defence of national sovereignty in troubled waters. 

We welcome with great pleasure Vice-Admiral Alano's statement as 
he boldly announces: 
“We should be a responsible partner in keeping our waters safe and secured by maintaining security stability in the (West Philippine Sea) so that freedom of navigation and international trade may continue to flourish. 
“The course has been plotted, sea details have been set and the command to cast off all lines has been given. Our personnel are our most major concern. What we need are not warm bodies but able-bodied sailors and marines who are motivated, disciplined and professionals."
We are looking forward to this leadership change and hope the Commander-in-chief will have in the new Navy chief someone he can trust well enough to listen to when the new Navy chief says to him, "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!"

The new FOIC will have ONLY less than 18 months to lead the Navy -- in fact only 15 months, much like his erstwhile superior, VAdm Billy Marcelo (Ret) of PMA Class 61,  back in 1994 who was navy chief also for less than 15 months but proved to be one of the best navy chiefs PN ever had.


PROFILE of Vice Admiral Jose Luis MontaƱo Alano 
Born on May 1, 1958, in Quezon City, Vice Admiral Alano is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class MATAPAT of 1979. 
His specialties are Surface Warfare and Naval Air Warfare. He commanded several types of surface ships, including the Presidential Yacht. As a naval aviator, he is a Britten-Norman Islander Aircraft instructor and test pilot. His shipboard and naval air assignments ensured his appointment as the Commander of Naval Task Force 21. Ashore, he has been posted to various positions both in Command and Staff. His notable assignments were: Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Operations, N3 and Chief of Naval Staff of the Philippine Navy. He also commanded the following key units of the Philippine Navy: Naval Air Group, Service Force, Northern Luzon Naval Forces, and the Philippine Fleet. 
VADM Alano received numerous awards and decorations among which are:
Three Distinguished Service Stars; Outstanding Achievement Medal; Gawad Sa Kaunlaran; and Military Merit Medal with Spearhead Device. 
He is a graduate of Defense Strategic Studies Course at the Center of Defense and Strategic Studies in Weston Creek, Canberra, Australia and the Naval Staff Course at the Royal Australian Naval Staff College in Sydney, Australia. He took his Joint Services Command and Staff Course at Fort Bonifacio. He holds a Master-of-Arts degree in Strategic Studies from Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Turnover ceremony news: New Navy chief vows safer Phl waters

Saturday, December 15, 2012

China's creeping invasion of Philippine EEZ: Mischief Reef, Sabina Shoal, Scarborough Shoal, what next?



GOOGLED IMAGE OF 'STOLEN' MISCHIEF REEF AND SABINA SHOAL both well within the 200-nautical mile Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and located exactly 130 miles (209 km) and 70 miles (113 km) away from Palawan respectively. In 1994, when the Philippine Navy was not looking, China invaded Mischief Reef and planted structures. The Philippines decided not to press for its recovery. China then took control of Sabina Shoal which was even nearer Palawan.

In 2012, China repeated their illegal exploits in Philippine EEZ by encircling Scarborough Shoal and declaring all of South China Sea (which overlaps our own West Philippine Sea) as theirs. What will be their "Sabina Shoal" this time? Will it be the Hermana Mayor island or the Hermana Menor Island which are found northwest off the coast of Zambales?

TIME ASIA REPORT ON CHINA'S ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF MISCHIEF REEF AND SABINA SHOAL:
TIME Asia 030899
MISCHIEF REEF
September 14, 1999

After several passes the pilots turned back toward Palawan, but on the way they descended to check out another reef, the Sabina Shoal, which is even closer to the Philippines and on which Chinese marker buoys have been foundand blown upby the navy before. The Chinese have a wellrehearsed routine when laying claim to a new reef first they put down buoys, then they build concrete markers. Temporary wooden or bamboo shelters follow, and if they are still not challenged, the permanent military forts go up. The Philippines tries to blow up the buoys or the markers before China has time to build and occupy larger structures. We cant demolish the inhabited structures because we dont want war in the Spratlys, says presidential spokesman Jerry Barrican.
We must NOT ALLOW what happened to Mischief Reef and the succeeding occupation of Sabina Shoal (because we did not react with determination) to happen again. We must guard our other islands in the Spratlys, patrol West Philippine Sea relentlessly to show bit of presence. Navy and Coast Guard do not need to patrol with guns blazing. All they need IS TO PERFORM THEIR JOB.

By not allowing our Coast Guard to patrol our territorial waters, i.e., Scarborough, Malacanang is sending a very bad signal to China, which will inevitably reflect very poorly on ALL, and we mean, ALL Pinoy citizens.

There is nothing to fear. PCG or PN patrolling our coast WILL NOT lead to war with China. In the first place, Pinas has no capability to enter into a war with China so there will be no war. If
China becomes militarily violent against Pinas, they will be facing world condemnation.

Our vessels, however, do run the risk of being rammed, and worse, one of them sunk by China vessels. Should the President take risk of possibly (just possibly) sacrificing a govt ship with, perhaps, loss of lives? The answer is yes. If President Aquino is not prepared to do it, then he must formally abandon our claim and move on as in put the entire China stealing episode behind us.


By Anne de Bretagne
16 December 2012 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Potential Panetta replacement puts Philippines in its place; Philippine strategic blunder over Scarborough invites snide remarks from China


IS AMERICA FEEDING THE EGO OF CHINA? COULD THE DECLARATION OF POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR (picture shown) TO U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA have triggered Beijing's snide remark that the Philippines is being a "troublemaker" because we are pressing our claim to Scarborough Shoal? 

QUESTION: Why does this potential successor to Panetta have to open her big mouth? ANSWER: Because our government officials have committed a monumental blunder, in fact, a strategical blunder of untold proportions; and having done that, these same officials continue to hang to the belief that America will be our saviour! Grow up PH Govt officials and leaders!

LAST 29th November, the possible successor to US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said there was a risk of Manila “mistaking U.S. support for an opportunity to be much more assertive in staking their claims. I think we have to be careful that we don’t feed that dynamic.”

Ms Michele Flournoy, former US undersecretary of defence for US policy, also said, “I do think there is a danger of some of our friends occasionally misreading, or miscalculating, in terms of the support that they have from the United States. 

Sanamagan! Although we must say that she is right to be straightforward (at least we know where Pinas stands!!!) The Philippines should NEVER HAVE ACCEPTED to withdraw our ships even under US pressure. NEVER!!!!! If it is truethat PH was indeed under pressure from the United States back in mid-2012 to agree with China for the withdrawal of ships, the Philippines should have asked for a quid pro quo, i.e., for an official American commitment that the US would help Pinas to eject the intruders should the agreement not work. Otherwise, should have been no go!

HERE'S THE REPORT: 
Former U.S. Official: Don’t Mistake Support on South China Sea
December 14, 2012, 6:41 PM
Agence France-Presse/Getty Images 
A former senior U.S. defense official viewed as a possible successor to Leon Panetta as defense secretary said the Philippines has recently mistaken U.S. renewed engagement in the region as an opportunity to more assertively pursue territorial claims against China. 
Michele Flournoy, who served as undersecretary for defense policy until February 2012, said last month while the U.S. needed to send clear signals of support for its allies in the region, it also needed to ensure that support didn’t lead allies to act provocatively. 
Naming the Philippines specifically, she said there was a risk of Manila “mistaking U.S. support for an opportunity to be much more assertive in staking their claims. I think we have to be careful that we don’t feed that dynamic.” 
The comments by Ms. Flournoy came during a question-and-answer session at Australian National University on Nov. 29. Video of the remarks was posted on YouTube this week. 
“I do think there is a danger of some of our friends occasionally misreading, or miscalculating, in terms of the support that they have from the United States,” Ms. Flournoy added.

Let's get things right. The United States will always have its interest in mind first and foremost. Miss Fournoy is right to be straightforward. We cannot blame the United States for not siding with us because at the end of the day, it was the Philippines that committed the blunder and stuck to the belief that the US would come to Philippine aid. So sorry Messieurs Philippine officials! The Spratlys and Scarborough are NOT PART OF THE US-PH Mutual Defence Treaty. Philippine officials must have known that. They have been completely do-lally!

Today, we must face the fact that China now has de facto control (and sovereignty) of Scarborough. They can declare that Scarborough is land mass which, if they do, can change the EEZ dynamics. 

AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS OR POTENTIAL ENORMOUS PROBLEM WILL BE? If they do that, they will be able to declare that waters from Scarborough land mass stretching 200nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal (from Panatag itself + 12 nautical miles from the shoal itself) belong to them which will ultimately deprive the Philippines of everything down to the Philippines own 12 nautical mile territorial waters (from our baseline). In other words, if China declares that the 200 nautical miles of waters from Scarborough-Panatag Shoal itself are part of China Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the act could effectively rope Zambales and all the islands inward, i.e., inside Luzon itself, as in navally blockaded by China. Our officials or leaders who AGREED TO order the withdrawal of our ships back in July did not think of potential consequences. Complete dumbos!

The Philippines should NEVER HAVE ACCEPTED to withdraw our ships even under US pressure. NEVER. If it is true that PH was indeed under pressure from the United States back in mid-2012 to agree with China for the withdrawal of ships, the Philippines should have asked for a quid pro quo, i.e., for the US commitment that the US would help Pinas to eject the intruders should the agreement not work.

To accept to withdraw our ships -- whatever the pressure, was a tactical, nay, a strategic blunder of untold proportions.

President Aquino is responsible for this fiasco. At the end of the day, he has the ultimate command responsibility. President Aquino is lucky that Philippine media is do-lally and that Pinoys have not fully absorved the enormity of the atrocious tactical blunder committed by his government.

By Anne de Bretagne
Defenders of the Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims
15 December 2012

Monday, December 3, 2012

What can the Philippines do to reverse its tactical blunders in Scarborough?


HOW CAN THE PHILIPPINES REVERSE THE SITUATION IN SCARBOROUGH TODAY after it committed serious tactical blunders in April and June this year? China is now in full control of Scarborough right in our Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea, amidst China's growing boldness and bellicosity

LESSON no. 1: DO NOT TRUST CHINA


The Philippines committed grave tactical and strategical blunders when first, it ordered Philippine Navy BRP Gregorio del Pilar to withdraw from Scarborough during the stand off with China surveillance ships back in April and then a second time when it ordered Philippine Coast Guard vessel in June leaving China vessels in our EEZ apparently following an agreement with China that both countries would withdraw their vessels. China has since roped in Scarborough Shoal and stationed three of their government vessels stationed three of their government vessels right in our EEZ or 134 nautical miles from Zambales. How can the Philippines reverse the situation today amidst China's continuing beligerence and threats in the region? 


AGAIN, LESSON no. 1: DO NOT TRUST CHINA

IN PHOTO: China Marine Surveillance Ships On Patrol In The South China Sea

DO NOT BUY 'MADE IN CHINA' PRODUCTS


Sunday, December 2, 2012

Cory Aquino and Nur Misuari


AT THE END OF THE DAY, NUR MISUARI CAN BE A 'SOFTIE'... NO! NO! That's not meant to malign the MNLF founder and legendary Tausug warrior but merely to say that he is human and appreciates, like many of us, respect and a minimum of courtesy. 

That was actually my reaction after reading a news report in today's Freeman that said, 
"The stance of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari against the framework agreement may soon soften as a result of the Aquino administration's "talks" with the leader of the former rebel group."

It reminded me of a story that no less than current DND Secretary Voltz Gazmin likes to tell, that of the 1986 historic meeting between the late President Cory Aquino and the legenderary warrior -- or an incident just before the meeting, when she broke protocol and flew to Sulu to sue for peace with the MNLF. Voltz Gazmin, who was then CG, Presidential Security Group, tells the story often enough to highlight the courageous streak in the late president but which also gave us an insight into Misuari's innate Tausug character.

Voltz Gazmin recounted that the event was due to take place right in MNLF lair and as commanding general of the presidential security command, he was naturally apprehensive for the security of the chief executive. The life of the president was in his hands. He remarked that the president felt almost no fear and trusted that she would be able to achieve what she had set out to do. But he did not trust the MNLF, Misuari or not Misuari, to get anywhere near the president especially in Sulu where he would be severely outnumbered if things went wrong. But one thing he did say was that from the onset of the meeting between Cory and Misuari, the Tausug rebel exuded a very courteous demeanour towards the president, almost humble, perhaps, honoured and impressed that the president, a woman to boot, would have the courage to show up in "enemy country."

After a brief courteous exchanges, and just as the serious part of the discussions was about to begin, Mrs Aquino did the most unexpected thing -- which had not been planned at all; she ordered everyone out of the conference room except for a note taker. She decided that she was going to speak to Nur Misuari one-on-one. Voltz was naturally caught off guard. He was adamant that he did not want to leave the president alone with the rebel Tausug Misuari and insisted to be present with the president. But the president refused Gazmin's remonstrances. She was determined that they should be left alone to discuss the proecess of peace. She tried to reassure the PSG chief that everything would be alright and ordered him to leave.

With his heart trepidating, he left and waited outside the conference room. After nearly an hour, the president called for staff and the commander of the PSG. Alongside a meek-looking Nur Misuari, the president announced that they had come to an agreement to go forward to settle matters towards peace. According to Gazmin, he was left speechless. He saw Nur Misuari almost appearing like a lamb, acting with great deference to the president, in other words, respectful.

Cory Aquino left an indelible image of courage and fortitude in General Voltz Gazmin. But unknown to him, he left me personally with the appreciation that Nur Misuari, despite the rhetorics, is a reasonable man, a fierce but also gentle Tausug warrior. And that was what the MNLF commander was like when I finally met him for the first time back in the 90s. 

At the end of the day, negotiating for the much abused 'just and lasting peace' with the 'Moros' may just be possible through Nur Misuari. All it would take is to give him the respect he and his people deserves. 

By Anne de Bretagne
For The Philippine Sabah Claim Forum
24 October 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

China stands to gain the most with America's budget cuts plans

Who stands to gain with the announced US defence budget cuts?

Well, we have an idea that China, India and Brazil will.

The US will need tons and tons of money to maintain their forward defence deployment capability. But with the US slated to trim down their budget by more than one trillion dollars within the next decade, it is likely that the US will need strong allies to carry their defence projection forward, not only in Asia but also in Europe.

This is one of the reasons why countries in Europe are beginning to do military hardware "sharing" programs just like France and the UK; very difficult for small countries with small populations to maintain separate credible forces because of the expense of defence equipment.

It's China that stands to gain the most with America's budget cuts plans because China will be spending at the very least half a trillion dollars within the next decade to beef up their military in order to project a credibe forward defence capability first in Asia and then in the rest of the world. :-( In fact, China has already announced their naval build up over the next two decades  that will give them a forward defence projection capability which can pose a challenge to US naval power worldwide.

Related Stories:
In picture: U.S. troops of 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stand in front of Patriot missile during the Arrival Ceremony of the brigade soldiers at Osan Air Force Base in Osan, south of Seoul, Dec. 10, 2004. [AP/File]

Monday, November 26, 2012

What is patriotism?

BLIND NATIONALISM IS DESTRUCTIVE BUT VIGOROUS PATRIOTISM IS CONSTRUCTIVE ~ Admins, Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims

According to Charles de Gaulle, "Nationalism is when hatred for someone not one of your own comes first but Patriotism is when love for one of your own comes first."

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Boycott 'Made in China' products!

Remember, every time your buy 'Made in China' products, you contribute to China's GDP which in turn allows them to manufacture ICBMs*, so try not to help them shoot the Philippines down. 

Stop buying 'Made in China' products, no matter how cheap or good you think China products look because at the end of the day, you don't want China to become MORE militarily arrogant than they (China) are already today! ;-)

*Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Reacting to author Martin Jacques provocation on PH sending navy vessel to its EEZ


Martin Jacques, author of the best-selling book "When China Rules the World: The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order" has criticised the Philippines for what he calls "over-reaching provocation when the Philippines sent BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a Philippine Navy frigate (ex US Cutter-class) to patrol the Scarborough waters some 130 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales that led to a stand off with China's surveillance ships in April this year.
"As for the Philippines, its decision to send an armed naval ship to Panatag Shoal — a sprawling offshore area off the country’s northwestern province of Zambales — during the April standoff was an “overreaching” provocation." -- Martin Jacques, author of the best-selling book "When China Rules the World: The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order"; Mr Jacques (picture shown from The Guardian) is also a writer for the British ultra left-wing newspaper, The Guardian
Philippines provoked China in its own Exclusive Economic Zone? Provocation??? We beg to disagree Mr Martin Jacques! Philippines did absolutely nothing of the sort!!! 

PROVOCATION??? Mr Jacques, you are forgetting that the Scarborough Shoal is located well within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). President Aquino, as commander-in-chief of the nation's armed forces DID THE RIGHT THING by sending a navy vessel to patrol the country's EEZ. The Philippines is well within its rights to patrol, to protect and if necessary, to defend its territorial integrity. To have done otherwise would have been wrong, China or no China!

Mr Jacques, have you forgotten the COD Wars of the 60s and the 70s (not to be mistaken for COLD War)??? Britain did far more than just send a Royal Navy vessel when Britain's territorial integrity was threatened!

Here is the story - how it happened, Mr Jacques, just to refresh your memory: 

Panatag Shoal Incident On 8 April 2012 the Gregorio del Pilar was assigned to patrol the Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) and was transferred from Palawan to Northern Luzon, and on 10 April 2012 it was involved in a standoff with Chinese vessels during an attempted arrest of Chinese fishers on eight vessels near the shoal, located in a disputed portion of the West Philippine Sea. She intercepted eight Chinese fishing vessels that were allegedly conducting illegal fishing operations; two Chinese Marine Surveillance ships, namely Zhongguo Haijian 75 and Zhongguo Haijian 84 were deployed in response, leading to a standoff. Gregorio del Pilar left the area on 12 April 2012, having been relieved by the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Pampanga (SARV-003) and the Monitoring control and surveillance (MCS) Ship's of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Philippines).
LINK TO "PROVOCATION" ARTICLE: PHL, China both 'mishandled' Panatag dispute - Brit scholar

IN PICTURE: BRP Gregorio del Pilar at Poro Point

Qin Gang, China foreign affairs ministry spokesperson is pathetically ignorant


Mr QIN GANG (shown in photo), CHINA FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY SPOKESMAN POKES FUN AT PHILIPPINES OVER "CONSENSUS": “I suggest that people, when attending the East Asian summit, have to be very good at mathematics,” in reference to President Aquino's protest over an ASEAN communiquĆ©.

Problem is Mr Qin Gang KNOWS 'BUGGER ALL' ABOUT THE WORD "CONSENSUS" specifically on how decisions are reached based on consensus.

(First off, we think China's foreign affairs ministry spokesman, has made an utter fool of himself! If China foreign ministry officials need lessons in English or in Latin, we suggest they hire Western teachers -- after all they are fast learners as they excel at aping and copying almost anything under the sun. But they cannot go around professing knowledge over something of which they obviously know 'BUGGER ALL' about. In fact, we think that Mr Qin Gang should be sacked by his bosses because his stupidity will not help China achieve the international respect that they so badly crave!)

Alright, here's the story: IN THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED ASEAN SUMMIT, the Philippines objected to a clause in a draft joint communiquƩ proposed by Summit chair Cambodia. The draft declared that a consensus had been reached whereby ASEAN decided NOT TO INTERNATIONALIZE the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea territorial disputes. President Aquino protested -- and the Philippines was right to object -- because to accept such clause would have put the Philippines, one of the founders of ASEAN, at China's mercy.

Decisions made at ASEAN summits are usually based on consensus. But China's spokesperson, perhaps not understanding the Latin-based term, thought "consensus" meant voting by majority or "unanimity less one or less two" which is not what consensus is all about. So, following Philippine refusal to approve the clause in the proposed ASEAN joint communiquĆ©, China apparently poked fun at the Philippines.  (China is not a member of ASEAN and has no business telling ASEAN what to do let alone poke fun at the Philippines, one of ASEAN's founding members.)

According to Armando Doronilla of the Philippine Inquirer, Qin Gang, China's foreign ministry spokesperson said that there was a consensus, and so poked fun at the Philippines.  In his column today, Mr Doronila wrote:
"The report also said the summit meetings came close to a breakdown when Hun Sen adopted a draft statement saying there was a consensus not to “internationalize” the dispute between Asean and China. The Philippines, “which sees its alliance with the US as a critical check to China’s claims at a time when Washington is shifting its military focus back to Asia, made a formal protest to Cambodia and succeeded in having the clause removed from the final statement,” the report said. 
"But this opened a chance for China to poke fun at the Philippines’ assertion that there had been no  consensus. China pointed out that eight out of 10 Asean leaders had agreed not to internationalize the dispute, meaning, according to Qin Gang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, there was a consensus. 
“I suggest that people, when attending the East Asian summit, have to be very good at mathematics,” he said.  “That’s 10 minus 2, so which is bigger?”"
Mr Qin Gang is either being obtuse on purpose or is genuinely just pathetically ignorant. 'Consensus' IS NOT A VOTE PROCESS BY MAJORITY... We can print Meriam Webster's and Collin's definitions of 'consensus' but the bottom line is 'consensus' signifies COLLECTIVE APPROVAL as in UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

To illustrate best what decisions by consensus mean, we refer to decision making by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation: NATO makes decisions based on consensus, i.e., if one of the 28 member nations vetoes a proposal AS IN DOES NOT APPROVE or protests, objects, refuses, etc., the proposal cannot be carried over. In other words, NATO cannot do anything -- and the proposal or the program will be buried. If you like, "voting" by the entire organization to do an action must be 100%. It is the simplest way to define consensus especially when a decision is made by a political organization of which ASEAN is one.

Wilson Strategies' on what consensus is all about:
"Strictly speaking, a consensus requires the unanimous consent, or approval, of everyone participating in the decision. Partly because each participant has veto power over the decision, participation in a consensus decision-making process gives each participant a strong sense of joint responsibility for the process and the decision. Every participant receives both motive and opportunity to give their blood for the cause."
We suggest that China foreign ministry officials take a crash course in keeping their mouths shut at ASEAN meetings before they make further fools of themselves!

By Anne de Bretagne
For the Defenders of the Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims
23 November 2012

Monday, November 19, 2012

MALAYSIA, DOING SOFT WAR BY PROXY AGAINST THE PHILIPPINES?

"ANG KASABIHAN NI SUN TSU, HUWAG NATIN DALHIN SA ATING BAYAN ANG GEYERA, DOON NATIN PASIKLABIN ANG GEYERA SA BAYAN NILA, (THE ART OF WAR)" -- Sultan Muedzul Lail T. Kiram, 35th Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah)

Malaysia soft war (by proxy): First,  to use  our own people against us, so that we cannot turn around and re-claim Sabah; second, educate our Filipino children to be in the service of Malaysia; third, use them to annex new "political entity" also to be known as sub-state of MILF enclave "Bangsamoro" in order to form greater Malaysia Federation and exploit the vast resources of Mindanao.


Educating Filipino Moro children today in Pahang, Malaysia to be in service of the greater Malaysia Federation tomorrow? 


Is this what Malaysia facilitation of MILF-PH Framework Agreement all about? By educating these Filipino Moro Children right in the heart of the most fundamentalist and Islamist state of Malaysia,  they will and can easily be called upon to serve the interests of Malaysia, which, no matter how you look at it is a moved destined to prevent the Philippines from reclaiming Sabah. It is also a pontetial maneuver to facilitate the annexation to Malaysia Federation of the soon-to-be MILF sub-state, and perhaps, eventually, to annex the whole of resoures-rich Mindanao. 


We must be extremely careful about the "side-effects" of the Framework Agreement because as it is now, it seems that Pahang, Malaysia (the most radically Islamist of all states in Malaysia) is getting ready to school Moro children. We must be careful not to fall for such overt show of generosity. Educating Filipino Moro children today to become Malaysia citizens tomorrow? Is this what this is all about? When that happens, are you prepared to say goodbye to Mindanao, Philippines?

WE MUST BE CAREFUL THAT MINDANAO DOES NOT BECOME PART OF MALAY
SIA FEDERATION just because we get excited and want the Liguasan Marsh, which is believed to hold large reserve of natural gas amid a rich biodiversity, drilled. Philippines' PNOC and PETRONAS, Malaysia's federal-owned petroleum giant have actually begun exploring for gas and oil in Mindanao as Wikileak cables showed. 
WIKILEAKED CABLE:  "The MILF admitted that the proposed sub-state is just a “reframed” version of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) which was declared unconstitutional b
y the Supreme Court in 2008; PNOC and Malaysia's PETRONAS had already initiated oil exploration of the marshland controlled by the MILF" 
Other excerpts from WIKILEAKED CABLE:  U.S. KEEN ON MINDANAO RESOURCESMANILA, AUGUST 22, 2011 (TRIBUNE) Leaked diplomatic documents in Wikileaks showed the United States has a special interest in the natural resources in Mindanao and the ending of the armed conflict in the region, giving credence to a suspicion that the United States is prodding the Aquino administration’s peace efforts with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), including brokering the recent secret meeting between MILF spokesman Al Haj Murad and President Aquino. 
Wikileaks obtained documents dated February 2006, or prior to the botched signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) on Aug. 5, 2008 showing extensive reference to the untapped rich mineral resources of Mindanao and tensions in the region which hinder the exploitation of these resources. 
The leaked cable from the US embassy in Manila made particular reference to the so-called Liguasan Marsh in the Cotabato Basin spanning 288,000 hectares and is among areas controlled by the MILF. 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already identified natural gas and oil deposits in three areas of Mindanao and the
Sulu Archipelago: the Cotabato Basin, the Davao-Agusan Basin; and an area straddling Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. The Cotabato Basin, notably, includes the 288,000 hectare Liguasan Marsh, straddling the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudurat, according to the cable.
In fact, from MILF official website itself, we learn that contrary to what is being said by panels of both MILF-PH on the "framework agreement", the MILF, in reality, would want nothing more than to become part of a greater Malaysia Federation.
FROM THE MILF WEBSITE NOV 17 2012: "The second stage was the sending of Moro students to Malaysia, followed by batches of young Moros from the mainland Mindanao and Sulu. In the succeeding years, more young Moros were sent to Pakistan some of them became part of Mujahideens who fought against Soviet troops that invaded neighboring Afghanistan. Those series of trainings abroad and their eventual return to Mindanao and Sulu were planned and done in a very clandestine manner."
NB: Psychologically, these young Moro students will be forever in the debt of Malaysia.

So, for the umpteenth time, GPH-MILF Framework Agreement must not work in favour of Malaysia but must seek to strengthen Republic of the Philippines; we therefore suggest to our PH peace panel to be cautious and not be fooled just because they are in a permanent 'state of Malaysian-imbued grace.' 

Jolo Mayor Husin U. Amin, recepient of Distinguished Companion of the Royal Hashemite Order of the Pearl, Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah)

LATEST RECIPIENTS OF SULTANATE BREVET AND STAR IN JOLO, SULU NOVEMBER 2012, PRESENTED ON BEHALF OF HM SULTAN MUEDZUL LAIL T KIRAM, 35th Reigning Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah)

MAYOR HUSIN U. AMIN OF JOLO, SULU RECEIVES SULTANATE OF SULU AND NORTH BORNEO (Sabah) BREVET AND STAR 


IN PICTURE above, HON. Atty Husin u. Amin, Mayor of Jolo, Sulu, named Distinguished Companion of the Royal Hashemite Order of the Pearl, (Royal House Of Sulu Kiram Dynasty) Receiving his Brevet and Stars from Engr. Darwin Sanaani, Member of the RUMA BITCHARA (Royal Sultanate Council.) The event took place in the Office of the Mayor of the Municipality of Jolo, Sulu. The Brevet was presented to the mayor of Jolo, Hon. Amin,on behalf of HM Sultan Muedzul Lail T. Kiram, 35th Reigning Sultan, Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah) early in November 2012.

IN PICTURE left:Hon. Vice-Mayor Hji Edsir Q. Tan, Vice-Mayor of Jolo Sulu, Distinguished Companion of the Hashemite Royal Order of the Pearl, (Royal House of Sulu Kiram Dynasty) shown receiving his Brevet and Star from HRH Datu Yldon Tan Kiram, Member Ruma Bitchara.The Brevet was presented to Jolo Vice-Mayor Hji Edsir Q. Tan on behalf of HM Sultan Muedzul Kiram, 35th Reigning Sultan, Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah) early this month of November.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

CHINA HN-5 SAMs were almost purchased by Philippine Army

We have just learned that China Army officers have gone to see their colleagues in the Philippine Army recently. The view of the two would-be protagonists reminded us of a story when China, some 20 years ago, were selling their wares to anyone and everyone that would buy them -- at a very low price. One of their clients would have been the Philippine Army.
Shown HN-5 (Hongying 5), the shoulder-fired fire-and-forget SAMs that China wanted the Philippines to buy ;-) and fortunately did not... ;-)

In 1988-89, the Philippine Army was desperate for some kind of device that could ward of attacks from the air. It was a time when Pres. Cory Aquino's government was under threat from military rebels. China offered to sell HN-5, a derivative of then Russia's SAM-7 of the fire and forget variety (and China's answer to US Stinger). HN-5, which China then boasted to have a 5km range, was not a very good missile at all; we were sure the darn thing might not even fire properly. Probably no better than your sophisticated firecrackers.


In fact, we were convinced that the HN was a product of reverse technology but it was very cheap -- some 200$ a piece. Nevertheless, because the Philippine Army was desperate for some kind of missile gadget, by 1992, the PA Weapons Board had recommended its purchase. The recommendation was approved by then CGPA and a recommendation for approval to purchase was forthwith sent through proper channels: to AFP GHQ which, if they had approved, would have been sent to Malacanang which was the final approving authority (the process was very much different then than today)...


Fortunately, the request did not make it and the Army was not able to get the 'glorified Chinese firecrackers.' Today, the bleeding Chinese are producing ICBMs. China is really going places in terms of sophisiticated military technology, aren't they? Watch out for China military armaments salesmen... they might already be down south selling their explosive devices to the rebels in Mindanao.

  -- By Admins, Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims 17 Nov 12

Thursday, November 15, 2012

WHAT IS AMERICA'S REASON FOR NOT OFFERING HAND-ME-DOWN MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO THE PHILIPPINES?


Last month, the United States offered to sell to Thailand many second-hand equipment, according to the report, but not to the Philippines. As a major non-NATO ally of the US, Thailand can benefit from this kind of military deal, asserted the report. The thing is the 
Philippines also was conferred major non-NATO ally status by the US during George W Bush visit before he left office or sometime in 2008, so why wasn't the Philippines offered the deal first or at the very least, was not offered the deal too?


THREE possible reasons (add yours if you can think of other reasons): 

(1) US believes that its presence in the country is enough deterrence and so believes that Philippines does not require further beefing up of its defences -- which I honestly think cannot be US reason; frankly, US presence in PH is not good enough deterrence. Realistically, the Philippines is hardly equipped to protect itself from incursions by hostile or even not-so-hostile intruders despite America's defence umbrella hovering over the archipelago.
(2) Philippine defence budget is not big enough, hence it is safe to say that the US equipment being offered are still expensive by PH procurement standard
(3) But I do think that one of the real reasons -- and it makes sense, is that US wants to get Thailand on side in the brewing mano-a-mano with China; the US needs to pool all its allies in the region under its defence umbrella so what better way than to entice a good, defence-knowledgeable client like Thailand to buy all of US second-hand equipment?

Just the same, I am not pleased that Pinas was not America's first choice as dumping ground of said US second-hand defence materiel :-( And to think that a couple of weeks ago, I was suggesting in a post that PH inquire about the soon-to-be-decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry frigates with a view to making an offer to purchase.

By Anne de Bretagne
For the Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims
15 Nov 2012

Link to Bangkok Post article: US offers cheap planes, warships [to Thailand]
In photo: USS KAUFFMAN is the 28th "long hull" - version in the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class and she is one of the last frigates the Navy built in the 20th century.
Commissioned 28 February 1987, KAUFFMAN's mission is to escort and protect Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups. KAUFFMAN is one of only twelve Frigates with the enhanced MK 92 MOD 6 CORT Fire Control System which, when combined with the ship's two helicopters, 76mm gun, and state of the art anti-submarine warfare system, provides KAUFFMAN an effective offensive and defensive capability in today's multi-threat environment.
KAUFFMAN has a crew of approximately 250 personnel. This relatively small crew size results in a close knit team that relies heavily on the technical skills and leadership abilities of each and every Sailor while providing ample opportunities for professional and personal growth.
For more information about USS Kauffman click on the history and general characteristics links.
KAUFFMAN always in the lead: Shipmates, Mission, Success.
Link: http://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ffg59/Pages/AboutUs.aspx
US offers cheap planes, warships
  • Online news:
 The United States has offered to sell Thailand second hand military equipment ranging from helicopters to frigates at a special price, a Defence Ministry source said on Friday.The US Defence Department made the offer in talks last week in Washington between permanent secretary for defence Gen Thanongsak Apirakyothin and US Defence Assistant Secretary Marc Lippert. 
Thailand is eligible for the sales as a non-Nato ally of the US, the source added. 
The offer includes 1,150 humvees used in military operations in Iraq, three Black Hawk helicopters for the army, two Perry Class frigates for the navy and five F-16 jet fighters. 
"The discussion did not go into details. The offer is amicable,'' the source said. 
Thailand and the US will mark 180 years of bilateral relations next year. 
The arms sale are expected to be further discussed when US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta comes to Thailand for talks with Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat and armed forces chiefs. Mr Panetta will be in Southeast Asian for the Asean Summit on Nov 15-16 in Phnom Penh.rces

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

"Kalis Pilak", Symbol of Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah) authority

HM Sultan Muedzul Lail T Kiram, 35th Reigning Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah) shown with the "Kalis Pilak" or the Silver Kris, symbol of sultanate authority.

Shown below: THE SYMBOL OF SULTANATE AUTHORITY: "Kalis Pilak" or The Silver Kris, the traditional kris handed down from one reigning sultan to the next from the time of Sultan Badarruddin, now in the possession of Sultan Muedzul-lail T Kiram in his capacity as 35th Reigning Sultan, Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah). 


Monday, November 12, 2012

Sultan Muedzul Kiram: "My fellow Filipinos, my fellow Tausugs, my compatriots wherever you may be, I solemnly vow to defend and uphold my oath as defender of sovereignty rights over Sabah"

In picture: Sultan Muedzul Kiram with HM's Chief of Staff, Royal Armed Forces, Sultanate of Sulu & North Borneo (Sabah)

FOR EASIER READING, here is the transcription of the STATEMENT FROM HM Sultan Muedzul Lail T Kiram 35th Reigning Sultan, Sultanate of Sulu & North Borneo issued on 11th November 2012 pledging to defend and uphold his oath as defender of sovereignty rights over Sabah.

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TRANSCRIPTION:

STATEMENT FROM HM SULTAN MUEDZUL-LAIL T. KIRAM, 35th Reigning Sultan, Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah)


11 November 2012


TO MY FELLOW FILIPINOS, MY FELLOW TAUSUGS, AND ALL COMPATRIOTS

I am a simple man who, by birth, inherited the moral and legal responsibility left by my forebears to lead the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah).

My grandfather, Sultan Esmail Kiram I, transferred sovereignty rights over Sabah to the Republic of the Philippines on September 11, 1962. Upon his death in 1974, his eldest son, my father, Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, assumed the title of Sultan in the State of Sulu and all its districts and dependencies. Upon my father's death in 1986, as his eldest son, I, the Rajahmuda (Crowned Prince), descendant of Sultan Jamalul Kiram I, founder of the Sultanate of Sulu, assumed the mantle of leadership for the Sultanate of Sulu & North Borneo (Sabah).

On September 16, 2012, the Royal Council of Elders (Rumah Bichara) of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah), officially proclaimed me the 35th Sultan of Sulu and all its districts and dependencies.

My fellow Filipinos, my fellow Tausugs, my compatriots wherever you may be, I solemnly vow to defend and uphold my oath as defender of our sovereignty rights over Sabah. With your help, I will do my very best to obtain justice so that Sabah may be returned to its rightful owners, the Tausugs, the people of Sulu and the people of the Philippines.

With your prayers and support, I, Sultan Muedzul-Lail T. Kiram, 35th Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah), declare before you that I am prepared to retake and to uphold sovereignty rights of the Republic of the Philippines over North Borneo (Sabah).

So help me God.


HM SULTAN MUEDZUL-LAIL T. KIRAM
Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah)