The Philippines Joins G8 Global Partnership as 26th Member

Libyan nuclear material being loaded on a C-17 cargo aircraft for disposition in the United States. State Dept Image / Jan 27, 2004 / Tripoli, Libya

The U.S. Department of State congratulates the United Kingdom, 2013 Chair of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP), as they welcome the Philippines as the 26th member of the GP.

The Philippines' membership marks an important expansion of Southeast Asian representation in the GP, a subsidiary body of the G8, which addresses nuclear and radiological security, biosecurity, chemical security, and scientist engagement, as well as facilitates the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 through cooperative projects.

The Global Partnership, now 26 members, began at the 2002 Kananaskis G8 Summit as a 10-year, $20 billion initiative to prevent terrorists or states that support them from acquiring or developing weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Since then, the Global Partnership has grown to include 26 members and has allocated more than $21 billion world-wide to enhance WMD security to include locking down vulnerable weapons and materials, destroying Russian nuclear submarines and chemical weapons, export controls, and engaging with scientists and other technical experts with knowledge and experience dealing with these items.

At the 2011 G8 Summit in Deauville, leaders agreed to extend the GP beyond 2012 and to make it truly global. The membership of the Philippines is an important step in this progress.

For more information about the Global Partnership, please go to the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation's website: http://www.state.gov/t/isn/

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First Supercomputer in ASEAN countries; Philippines to Use Blue Gene for Weather Forecasting & Studies

Blue Gene IBM Super Computer is one of the Fastest Computer in the World. is an IBM project that can reach operating speeds in the PFLOPS (petaFLOPS) range, with low power consumption. The project created three generations of supercomputers, Blue Gene/L, Blue Gene/P, and Blue Gene/Q. Blue Gene systems have led for several years rankings of the most powerful and most power efficient supercomputers. Photo from Wikipedia

The Philippines to Use Blue Gene Supercomputer for Weather Forecasting

By the end of 2013, the Philippines will be the first country in Southeast Asia to acquire an IBM Blue Gene Supercomputer to improve its weather forecasting system and genomics research.

"The Blue Gene supercomputer opens many doors for the country and reduces our uncertainty (in R&D). Our vision for a Smarter Philippines needs breakthrough instruments such as this, to propel us toward advancement," said Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo.

Considered as one of the fastest and most powerful computers in the world, the Secretary said it will enable local scientists to perform highly technical and scientific calculations in the areas of weather and climate modeling, and genomics.

The project was formally announced last month, with the Secretary highlighting its capability to further improve the government's Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards project.

"Aside from greatly enhancing our climate change scenarios or modeling, we can make more accurate area-specific weather forecasts and extend our prediction from three days to up to seven days," he said.

In the area of genomics, the IBM Blue Gene will facilitate the analysis and management of data, and provide computational requirements for the recently established Philippine Genome Centre. The latter seeks to explore areas for genomic applications – from varietal improvement of crops, livestock, and other raw materials, to drug discovery and development of advanced, personalized medicines and diagnostic tests, among others.

Meanwhile, DOST R&D Undersecretary Dr. Amelia Guevarra, said other government agencies are also free to use the Blue Gene for their R&D efforts and activities.

Asia Pacific FutureGov

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Philippine close deal for ISRAEL MISSILE SYSTEM after USA dishonored MDT for China's invasion in Scarborough

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will arrive Israel this week to close the deal with surface-to-air missiles or multiple launch rocket systems were being offered by Israel's  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. "SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters," Delivery would take around 3 - 6 months and expected to be already in the Philippines on or before December 2013 

While the Philippines keeps hoping for USA to come for a rescue and honor the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) during the china's invasion in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, USA opted not to side with the Philippines but take its neutral stance proving that the USA-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is futile. The very important decision of USA proves that they could not honor what they have signed for the Philippines.

In its territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the Philippines has tended to look to the United States for help, a mindset that, according to an Ateneo professor, should be "emancipated" from if it is to assert its independence.

As published by the Inquirer (June 11) Expert says Philippines can't rely on US vs China it has been proven by the action by the Washington not siding to the Philippines during the china's invasion in the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippines as an independent country must have to learn itself how to defend from bully and how to guard its sovereignty. The US-Philippine Defense Alliance is just for business and defense supply not fighting with the Philippines when it comes to war as USA clearly said as "Philippines is a Strategic Alliance of the USA which mean everything would end up into Strategy not action or actual protection.

USA indeed helps the Philippines by providing training and support against the international Abu sayaff terrorists linked to Al qaeda but USA is not allowed to fight with the Philippines as it is against the Philippine constitution.

While previous administrations are not interested in upgrading the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Pnoy is a big brother twists the past into a new face of the AFP by providing a slice of budget for the upgrade of the Philippine armament.

And here it comes a new interest of "SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters," from Israel is scheduled to close deal within this week and expected to arrive the Philippines by September to December 2013.

Philippine Closing Deal with Israel' Missile System

Amid rising tensions over territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine government is eyeing to close deal for the purchase of anti-aircraft guided missiles from Israel.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the surface-to-air missiles or multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) were being offered by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Israel Military Industries Ltd., both based in Israel.

"SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters," the source said, adding that these had been suggested some time ago but had not been taken seriously because the defense establishment had no interest in investing at the time.

"Now, here comes the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, and at last they've opened their eyes," the source added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will arrive Israel this week (3^rd Week of June 2013) to close the deal with the prospective suppliers.

"If you have an agreement this would hasten the procurement process, say in three to six months you would already have the weapons. The agreement gives you the leeway to access all the information you want know about a particular weapon you want to procure," the source said.

Manila Standard tried to reach Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo and spokesman Peter Paul Galvez for confirmation, but both did not return calls or answer text messages.

In his first year in office, President Benigno Aquino III had released ₱75 billion to fund the upgrading of the military's capability through the procurement of ships and aircraft.

Gazmin then said they had some 138 big-ticket defense items that were being considered on a government-to-government procurement basis.

Part of this buildup was the recent procurement of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a rehabilitated US Coast Guard cutter introduced in the 1960s.

The refurbished cutter, procured for will be the country's most modern warship and is expected to arrive in July or August.

But Senator Gregorio Honasan seemed unimpressed with the extent of help offered by the United States, and called for a review of the US Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty, which he described as useless.

"We are not getting anything out of it. We have many international economic, military and security arrangements with other nations but why did they not say anything while the Scarborough Shoal standoff was heating up?" said the former Army colonel.

Because of this, Honasan said the country should abrogate all treaties that do nothing to help the country.

At the same time, however, he said a joint fishing agreement with Taiwan would be beneficial because it would afford protection to fishermen from both countries.

His remarks follow the May 9 fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in the Balintang Channel that soured relations between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Also on Friday, the Foreign Affairs Department said it welcomed the filing of a resolution in the US Senate in support of a peaceful resolution to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

"We understand that the resolution has yet to undergo the necessary congressional process before it is passed by the US Senate, nonetheless, we extend our appreciation on the mere fact that some US senators have deigned it necessary to express their views on a fundamental issue that affects the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region," the department said in a statement.

"The Philippines especially appreciates the reaffirmation of the peaceful resolution of disputes, including through arbitration; its condemnation of the use of threat or use of force; its recognition of the significance of the role of ASEAN and of the code of conduct; and its support for the ongoing and deepening efforts of the US in the region relating to ensuring freedom of navigation, maintenance of peace and stability, and respect for universally recognized principles of international law."

With Report from Manila Standard Today and Israel defense

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National Security Council recommending $3 Billion USD Annual Defense Budget; 18 Chinese maritime ships intrude Philippine territory

$2.84472 Billion USD or ₱122,322,960,000 Billion Philippine Peso is required Annual Defense Budget to Defend the Philippine Territory. Photo - Panatag Shoal / PhilSTAR

Deputy Director –General of the National Security Council Secretariat urge the government to raise the Annual Defense budget to 1% of the total GDP of the Philippines.

In 2013, Philippine GDP is $284.472 Billion US Dollar of which 1% or $2.84 Billion USD annual defense budget is required to have a minimum credible deterrent power to block intruders.

18 Chinese maritime ships operating within Philippine territory

About 18 Chinese vessels are intruding into Philippine territory, raising the need to pour more resources to defense spending, a security official said Thursday.

Vicente Agdamag, Deputy Director-General of the National Security Council Secretariat, said the deployment of the ships is in line with China's aim to consolidate its control over the West Philippine Sea.

"Right now, there are 18 maritime surveillance ships operating in our area," Agdamag said during the Air Force's Air Power Symposium 2013 in Pasay city.

Agdamag did not say what types of ships were deployed and where they are located. He, however, enumerated incidents showcasing China's aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea.

These include the imposition by China of an "exclusion zone" in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which is well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

The shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is 124 nautical miles from the nearest point in Zambales province.

 "Lately, we received reports that surveillance ships are imposing a 24-kilometer wide ban on the fishing area so in fact, they are imposing an exclusion zone already in Bajo de Masinloc," Agdamag said.

Chinese occupation of the Panatag Shoal began on April 10, 2012, when surveillance vessels from Beijing prevented the Philippine Navy from arresting Chinese fishermen who had poached endangered marine species.

Other incidents enumerated by Agdamag were:

The challenging by a Chinese patrol ship of a vessel conducting a survey for Forum Energy about 85 nautical miles off Palawan in March 2011

The grounding of a Chinese Navy frigate on Hasahasa Shoal, which is 60 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan on July 11, 2012

China's establishment of Sansha City in Woody Island to exercise administrative control over areas in West Philippine Sea last year. The Woody Island is about 460 nautical miles from Zambales coast

China's announcement in November 2012 that Hainan police would board foreign vessels in disputed areas

The harassment by Chinese ships of a vessel carrying Pag-asa Island Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon in November 2012. The mayor and his companions experienced a similar harassment on May 16, the ship (ML Queen Seagull) of KIG Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon with 154 passengers and 14 crew as harassed by Chinese naval ships within the vicinity of Ayungin

The conduct of patrols and training missions of a squadron of three People's Liberation Army (PLA) vessels last February

The deployment of modern warships by the PLA last March to carry out training missions in the Bashi Channel

The conduct of an eight-day military drill in Spratlys by Chinese forces also last March. One destroyer, two frigates, an amphibious ship, amphibious tanks and land-based fighters participated in the drill

last April 21, based on aerial surveillance, five China maritime law enforcement agency ships, four China maritime surveillance vessels with bow number 262, 263, 72, 75 and one FLEC with bow number 302 were monitored south of Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag shoal,

Bigger defense spending sought

Agdamag cited the need to hike the budget for defense spending to enable the country to have a minimum deterrent capability, which he defined as a capability that imposes a risk that a hostile force would find unacceptable.

He recommended increasing the investment for defense by 0.5 percent to 1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). The GDP is the sum of all products and services produced by an economy in a given period. It indicates the size of an economy.

Agdamag said at present, defense spending is just equivalent to 1.1 percent of the ₱ 2.006 trillion national budget.

"We are recommending an additional of 0.5 to one percent not only to be at par with our neighbors and more importantly to develop a modicum of a credible defense capability to protect our maritime and strategic interest," he said.

"We need to enhance to our security alliance with our allies and our neighbors especially the United States," he added.

China has been constructing structures in disputed areas to assert its territorial claims, triggering concerns among other claimants in the region.

It has built a military garrison in the Mischief Reef or Panganiban Reef, one of the areas being claimed by the Philippines. Mischief Reef, which is about 70 nautical miles from Palawan, has been occupied by China since 1995.

China initially built structures on stilts at the reef, supposedly to provide shelter for fishermen but these were later on converted into a military garrison with powerful radars.

China has also installed a powerful radar station in Subi Reef, an islet 12 nautical miles southwest of Pag-Asa Island, which is part of Kalayaan Island. The Chinese began constructing the four-story structure, including a lighthouse about seven years ago.

China has also sent ships in the Ayungin Shoal, another Philippine-owned area located 105.77 nautical miles from Palawan.

With report from philStar, Manila Standard Today, and GMA News

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Philippine NBI recommend filing Criminal Charges Against PCG who defend the Philippine Territory ; killing Taiwanese Poacher

NBI Recommend filing Criminal Charges to Philippine Coast Guard that shoot dead Taiwanese poacher to the Philippines territory. Philippine Coast Guard slam the NBI's recommendation as they are just doing their job per order to defend the Philippine territory. The shooting incident occurred 79.2km Island of Luzon in the Philippine territory and 316.8km from Taiwan. Photo from INQUIRER

A Philippine government's investigating body has recommended the filing of criminal charges against several members of the Philippine Coast Guard for the death of a Taiwanese fisherman off northern Luzon in the Philippine Sea on May 9.

In a report sent to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) identified the Philippine Coast Guard personnel who fired their guns on the Taiwanese fishing vessel, the Guan Ta Hsin 28, including the person whose bullet fatally killed Hung Shih chen, the Inquirer quoted an unnamed source as saying.

"The shooter was identified through a cross-match between the slug recovered from Hung's body during autopsy and the signature of the coast guard's M14 rifle," the source explained, adding that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has received just a "thin report" because the annexes have yet to be forwarded to her.

The NBI has not specified if the coast guards would be charged with murder or homicide because of unresolved debates over the Philippine Coast Guard using "superior strength versus the Taiwanese fishermen," and that the killing of the Taiwanese fisherman was "not premeditated," said the source.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the shooting targeted the engine of the Taiwanese fishing boat to stop it from trying to ram the coast guard's vessel.

The shooting incident occurred 79.2km off island of Luzon in the Philippine territory and 316.8km from Taiwan, the source said. It was earlier identified as the Balintang Channel off northern Luzon.

The report has been forwarded to President Benigno Aquino, said Justice Secretary de Lima who refused to give more details. The presidential palace has not made an official statement regarding the matter.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the de facto embassy of the Philippines in Taiwan, including the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), the de facto embassy of Taiwan in Manila have not confirmed receiving copies of the report.

The family of the Taiwanese fishermen has already filed murder charges against the Philippine Coast Guard in Pingtung County District Attorney's Office in southern Taiwan.

Two investigating bodies from the Philippines and Taiwan held parallel probes on the incident last week.

Taiwan demanded an official apology from the Philippine government, but rejected President Aquino's apology when he said the killing was not intentional.

Taiwan also demanded compensation for Hung's family and punishment for those who shot him.

Taiwan also froze new jobs for Filipino workers in Taiwan; suspended tourist travel to the Philippines; and temporarily ended trade and cultural exchanges with the Philippines.

With reports sources from BBC News, Gulf News and Philippine Daily Inquirer

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President Aquino Call all Filipinos to Unite & lay down one's life to defend the country from threats of the sovereignty and security

115th Philippine Independence Day 2013. With the cooling down of nationalism in the Philippines President Aquino calls all Filipinos to Unite & lay down one's life to defend the country from threats of the sovereignty and security.

Aquino on Independence Day: Follow Bonifacio

It's Independence Day, and President Benigno Aquino gives this annual ritual a twist. Unlike presidents before him, Aquino takes the celebration to the shrine of a hero for the poor.

For the first time, President Benigno Aquino leads the 115th Independence Day rites at Liwasang Bonifacio.

It's a shrine devoted to Andres Bonifacio, the hero who led the armed revolution against Spain.

The Palace says it's a recognition of Bonifacio's role in history. The country marks Bonifacio's 150th birth anniversary this year.

Watch the video here http://bit.ly/19uryDT

Aquino says Filipinos should follow Bonifacio's example. He calls for courage and love of neighbor.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Maliwanag po ang pahiwatig ng kanyang tindig: Karangalan ang magtaya ng buhay para sa bayan; taas-noo nating maipagmamalaki ang mga naiambag natin para sa kalayaan. Kasabay nito, tila mapanghamon din ang titig ni Bonifacio: Ikaw, Pilipino, ano na ang nagawa mo para sa iyong bandila at kapwa? (It's clear in his posture: It's honor to lay down one's life for the country; we take pride in our contributions to promote our freedom. At the same time, Bonifacio's gaze poses a challenge: You, Filipino, what have you done for your flag and your neighbor?)

Aquino says this in the face of protests over government services.

In Tutuban, Bonifacio's birthplace, militant groups denounce Philippine independence as fake. They downplay the government's economic gains.

A day before this, the National Statistics Office reports more Filipinos are jobless in April compared to the same period last year. This, despite a stellar 7.8 percent growth in the country's economy.

PATERNO ESMAQUEL, REPORTING: One hundred and fifty years ago, Andres Bonifacio fought to uplift the plight of the masses. But the same issues hound the poor to this day, posing a challenge for the Philippine government.

Aquino says ending poverty is everyone's responsibility.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Huwag sana tayong maghintay pa ng tatlondaang taon, o ng tatlong dekada, o kahit ng tatlong taon, bago tayo magpasyang magbuklod para maging malaya tayo mula sa gutom, kahirapan, o anumang banta sa ating soberenya't seguridad. Hindi tama na mapahaba pa ang pagtitiis ng mga Pilipino ni isang minuto. (Let us not wait for 300 years, or 3 decades or even 3 years before we come together in order to free ourselves from hunger, poverty or whatever threats to our sovereignty and security. It is not right to prolong the suffering of Filipinos by another minute.)

Today, Independence Day, Bonifacio, the hero of the masses, shines above other heroes from that era – a fitting symbolism for Aquino, whose stellar economic numbers have yet to trickle down to the working man.

Paterno Esmaquel, Rappler, Manila.

With report from – Rappler.com

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Philippines files racism complaint against Hong Kong (Nations of Slaves); AFC Malaysia no Complain yet

Philippine Azkals Football Team. FILE PHOTO

Philippines files racism complaint against Hong Kong football fans

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has asked FIFA to investigate allegations that Filipino supporters and players were subject to racist abuse during last week's friendly in Hong Kong, officials said.

The Azkals won the match, 1-0, but home fans pelted the players and their supporters, many of them women and children, with water bottles and other debris after the match.

The complaint was filed Tuesday after reports of "physical and racist abuse against Philippine players and supporters," PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes said in a statement.

A representative of the Asian Football Confederation in Kuala Lumpur said Thursday that it had not received any formal complaint and would only be able to investigate or take action if asked to do so by the Philippines or FIFA. The official declined to be identified, citing protocol.

He said he did not have information of any previous racism complaints in Asia. The latest incident comes as FIFA has toughening punishments for racial abuse.

The complaint contains statements from Filipino fans who said they were called "slaves" and that Hong Kong fans threw bottles at them and booed the Philippine national anthem.

The Hong Kong Football Association last week condemned inappropriate behavior and said it was investigating the incidents. Spokesman Benny Chan said that the HKFA has a "zero-tolerance" approach to racism.

A reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer who covered the June 4 match, Cedelf Tupas, said last week that Hong Kong fans were jeering and taunting the Filipinos, including calling their country a "slave nation."

Tupas said that the hostility intensified after the Philippines scored in the second half. By then, spectators were throwing bottles and juice cartons at the Filipino fans and later the players, Tupas said, adding that others made obscene gestures.

The Filipino fans, who were mostly women and children, made up about 10 percent of the crowd of 4,500.

Some in the southern Chinese city still hold a grudge against the Philippines since a Manila hostage-taking incident in 2010, in which eight Hong Kong tourists were killed in a bungled police rescue. The Hong Kong government has maintained a travel warning for the Philippines since the incident.

Filipinos are also looked down upon in Hong Kong because more than 100,000 of them work as domestic helpers, toiling long hours taking care of children and doing chores for middle-class families for low pay.

With report from INQUIRER Sports 

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