AFP/DND: Time to think out of the box!

Congratulations to Philippine STAR President and Chief Executive Officer Sir Miguel Belmonte for having been chosen as one of the “Ten Outstanding Manilans” during today’s celebration of the 440th Founding Anniversary of the City of Manila. In my book, Sir Miguel should bag the top ten Filipino awards, not because he is handsome or plays a hard game of badminton, but rather because he has humility, something gravely missing with many CEOs not just in the newspaper industry. Kudos Sir Migs!

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My articles about the return of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and our reaming of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has gotten a lot of support from many of our readers. I submit I did get a few negative comments; one even dared question my call as being a warmonger. Just to be sure, like most of us, we know too well we can never win in an all out battle between China and the Philippines. But history has taught me that the guerilla activities during the Japanese occupation made life really difficult for the Japanese during World War II, thanks to the ROTC.

If at all, outside of our Japanese occupiers, the biggest problem that plagued the country in those dark days were Filipino collaborators. Those traitors to our nation helped the Japanese Kempetai find out the families of the guerillas, who were then put to death. Worse of all, many of these collaborators themselves killed many Filipino compatriots. Having the ROTC in our schools would teach our youth to be patriots, not collaborators. Anyway here’s an e-mail response to the issue on building ships in Balamban, Cebu.

“Hi Bobit, Some years back, I presented an idea of the top officers of the Philippine Navy — that they should stop thinking about acquiring brand new Frigates and Corvettes and instead get second hand commercial vessels and convert these for naval use. At that time, the PN was intent on getting big Offshore Patrol vessels (OPV) supposedly to protect our territorial waters. The bidding parameters would have brought these OPVs in the $100 million range for each vessel.

The major shipbuilders in the world all came and went through the bidding process. I told them that $100 M could buy a fleet of good, fast, second hand vessels that could be converted for patrol duties and armed with the latest weaponry, radar, communications and missile systems. All looked at me as though I was insane. They rattled off a list of negatives against commercial vessels including lack of redundancy systems, the need for separate and independent engine rooms, etc. I urged them to think out of the box and just focus on getting vessels that would upgrade the PN fleet and perform the required naval tasks. I did not get anywhere.

A few years ago, thinking that with a new DND Chief (Gilbert Teodoro), the AFP hierarchy would have a more receptive mind, I renewed my initiatives and offered to acquire the SuperFerry 19 for the PN. The reception was better — at least initially. The PN put up several study groups. We had several meetings. They inspected the SuperFerry 19. They conducted inspections and interviews. AFP Chief Esperon and DND Chief Teodoro liked the idea. But it was studied to death and died a natural death.

The same arguments from years back, were brought up again. A major factor supposedly was the age of the ship. The detractors conveniently ignored the fact that the hull may have been considered old, but the vessel has recently been renovated and engines replace with brand new ones. The PN would have gotten a fast and reliable vessel capable of transporting up to 3,000 troops in one go together with their heavy trucks, tanks and weaponry. The ship could stay a few miles offshore and wounded soldiers could be airlifted and treated in minutes through a helideck.

The upper deck cabins could be converted into a hospital and some of the dinning rooms could be converted into surgical rooms. The loading RORO Ramps could accommodate tanks but could also bring out small, fast, armed rubber boats to support marine deployments. It would have been a really nice, if not perfect multi-role naval ship.

Of course the SuperFerry 19 has since been sold, but there are many other commercial vessels out there that could be bought fairly cheaply, renovated in-country to benefit local shipyards and perform naval duties. If only the PN and the AFP removed their mendicant attitude and instead focused themselves on self-reliance through innovative ideas. Thanks Bai, may I ask you to withhold my name . . . for my sake. More power”

I fully concur with this thought so we could put a fleet of workable naval vessels. Sure navy designed ships are stronger or even last longer, but one torpedo will still sink it. So why not use commercial ships for a lower cost? It can be done only if the AFP and the DND think out of the box!

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For e-mail responses to this article, write to [email protected] or [email protected]. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.