July 25, 2024 | NEWS DIGEST

 

By Victor Reyes | Date 07-25-2024

 

Philippines working on defense deals with three countries

The Philippines has started negotiations to expand its defense cooperation with three countries after signing a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan early this month, a top defense official said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said there were preliminary discussions to sign a similar RAA with Canada, France, and New Zealand,

The RAA provides a legal framework for combat training between the local and foreign troops on Philippine soil.

The RAA with Japan is similar to the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US and the 2007 Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia.

 

Philippines declines US help in resupply missions to Ayungin

The Philippines has turned down the United States offer to help deliver provisions to BRP Sierra Madre, a senior security official and chairman of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said.

Retired general Eduardo Año, the National Security Adviser, said the Philippine government does not need the assistance of the United States in the conduct of rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) of troops assigned at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

He was reacting to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan who said in a forum that the US “will do what is necessary” to ensure the Philippines is able to resupply its troops at Ayungin Shoal.

BRP Sierra Madre is a rusting Philippine Navy transport ship that ran aground at Ayungin Shoal in 1999 and served as a military outpost.

Año clarified the Americans have not made any formal offer to assist in the conduct of RoRe.

 

Brawner installs new PMA superintendent

The Armed Forces chief has installed a new superintendent for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the country’s premier military school that produces future generals and admirals.

Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia was installed as head of Fort Gregorio del Pilar in the mountain resort city. He is replacing Lieutenant General Rowen S. Tolentino PA who has held the position since 2022.

Rear Admiral Valencia belongs to the PMA Class 1990 and served as the Philippine Navy Vice Commander from 2022. He was also the Commander of Naval Forces Northern Luzon in 2019 before being appointed Chief of Naval Staff in 2021.

Rear Admiral Valencia’s appointment would also mean his promotion to vice admiral and will have a three-year tour of duty.

 

Military promotes controversial colonel

The military has promoted to brigadier general a controversial Marine officer who was linked to the illegal drug trade in the past administration.

Marine Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino, a seasoned intelligence officer, was appointed the military’s provost marshal after he was cleared of illegal drug charges by a local court.

Marcelino, who belonged to the Philippine Military Academy class of 1994 has been assigned to the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP).

In 2016, a drug trafficking charge was filed against him but the Department of Justice cleared him a year later. At that time, Marcelino was then the superintendent of the Naval Candidate Officer School.

Marcelino said he was gathering intelligence information against illegal drugs at that time, based on the authority given by the military.