New Navy chief says Phl better off today despite China's posturing

MANILA, Philippines - Despite China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea, newly installed Navy chief Rear Adm. Caesar Taccad believes the Philippines is in better position now because it has open communication lines with the Asian superpower.

When asked if he is threatened by China’s military build-up, Taccad said: “Are you threatened with the current situation considering that it's much heated before?”

“I think we are in a better position now. We are communicating with China and more or less not as threatened as before. You know what they are trying to do and we try to maintain more or less a peaceful coexistence or settlement of whatever issue we have,” he added.

China recently embarked on a massive reclamation program in seven South China Sea reefs also being claimed by the Philippines. It is now constructing structures in Panganiban (Mischief), Zamora (Subi), Kagitingan (Fiery Cross), Kennan (Chigua), Mabini (Johnson South), Burgos (Gaven) and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reefs.

Officials believe China is building artificial islands with airstrips, radar systems and military barracks.

China also seized Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in 2012, effectively barring Filipino fishermen from entering what used to be their traditional fishing area.

Taccad, nonetheless, said he does not see any expansion from China.

“They have been there for a long time and they are guarding what they think is their interest in the South China Sea. No expansion is happening. They are just pursuing their interest,” he added.

When asked how they would respond to urgent situations in the South China Sea given their limited capability, Taccad cited the need to upgrade their capabilities.

“The mission of the Philippine Navy or the armed forces is to protect sovereignty and with our limited resources, we need to cover or patrol our seas in order to ensure or to impose that we have sovereignty over this seas,” the Navy chief said.  

“We come up with acquisitions of needed firepower, additional firepower for us to be able to more or less deter any naval force that would try to stop us from employing our assets to assert sovereignty over our waters,” he added.

New assets

Hours before Taccad’s assumption, the Navy christened the two ships donated by Australia and blessed the two AW109 helicopters it acquired recently from an Anglo-Italian company.

The blessing was held in a joint ceremony held in Naval Station Jose V. Andrada in Manila at around 8 a.m.

Naval Chief Chaplain Col. Benifranco Rada administered the blessing of the ships, which was followed by the unveiling of the vessels’ names and the traditional smashing of wine bottle for good luck and safe travel. Champagne was also poured to the nose of the helicopters.

The two Landing Craft Heavy vessels were renamed as Barkong Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Ivatan and Batak after ethnic groups of Palawan and Batanes. The two former ships of the Royal Australian Navy used to be known as HMAS Tarakan and Brunei. 

“The addition of these vessels translates into the boosting of the capability of the Philippine Navy to transport personnel, equipment and aid during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations,” Navy public affairs chief Commander Lued Lincuna said.

The two AW-109 helicopters, meanwhile, were manufactured by Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland.  They are armed with caliber 50 machine gun and 2.75-inch rockets and is capable of maritime air surveillance and amphibious air support.

The Navy has acquired a total five AW-109 Power helicopters from AgustaWestland for P1.35 billion.