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ADEX (air defense exercise) has provided the ship’s crew a learning experience on the dynamics of air threats and further test their readiness to respond in a real-time scenario," the FB post added.

PN modernization going well ACCORDING to former Acting PN Flag-Officer-in-Command (FOIC)

Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, the BRP Antonio Luna’s impressive showing at the gunnery exercise in the 2022 RIMPAC highlights the ongoing improvements of the Navy.

Such a feat, he said earlier, was once only a dream 10 years ago. “I remember the first naval exercise that I participated in and as part of this exercise, we fired our 3.50inch [naval] guns. Not only did our gun crew miss by a mile but also we were told to cease firing, as the deck was so brittle that there was a danger of it collapsing. And also, so much rust was raining down below deck due to the recoil of our naval guns,” Valencia recalled.

A s of this time, the PN is now equipped with two brand-new missile-armed frigates, two landing docks, two anti-submarine helicopters, and 12 multipurpose attack craft, six of which are now equipped with the Israeli-made Spike-ER surface-to-surface missiles.

He noted that such is far from the World War II ships previously being manned by the PN. Valencia served as acting PN FOIC following the mandatory retirement of Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado on September 9, 2022. Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. eventually succeeded Valencia on November 24, 2022.

Fast-track modernization ADACI, upon his assumption as PN chief, vowed to expedite the ongoing modernization of the Navy.

“ We will intensify our efforts to achieve the objectives and measures in the remaining Horizons 2 and 3 of our modernization program. But while we acquire new assets, our plans should emphasize the complementing requirements of logistics support systems, trans- fer of technology, among others,” he stressed.

A FP Modernization Program Horizon 2 is scheduled from 2018 to 2022, while Horizon 3 is from 2023 to 2028. Horizon 2 and 3 are geared toward the acquisition of more external defense equipment and platforms for the AFP. Moreover we will build on the gains of previous leadership; it is our priority to continue sustaining our modernization program, the acquisition of hardware, and strengthening the fields of specialization of our personnel among others,” Adaci added.

Adaci said the PN would also continue international defense and security engagements and strengthen its partnership with allies, partners, friends, and other like-minded nations that are committed to maintaining a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Equipping frontline units is imperative as the PN is involved in various interagency collaborations, he added.

We will prioritize giving our naval operating forces, our marine brigades, ships, and other frontline units with adequate personnel and equipment because they are the ones who perform our primary mandate of protecting our seas and littorals. They are also critical in the conduct of non-traditional and civil-military operations,” he added.

‘Cat-and-mouse’ game

AS this developed, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed on February 4 that four Chinese vessels tried to intercept BRP Andres Bonifacio while on patrol. The Filipino ship was patrolling near Panganiban Reef when the “Chinese Maritime Militia fishing vessels/ boats even conducted an intercept course towards the PN warship.”

The area is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. But the PCG clarified that the Chinese ships did not interfere in the operations of the BRP Andres Bonifacio, which continued its operations undeterred. The incident took place last February 1. The PN has yet to issue a statement on the matter.