President Aquino on Monday ordered the Philippine Navy to “balance its resources and capabilities” to secure the country’s territorial waters while the government is trying to rearm it amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Aquino, who is stepping down at the end of June next year, directed the new Navy commander, Rear Adm. Cesar Taccad, to press the Navy’s modernization program, which includes the acquisition of warships.
Taccad, former chair of the Navy Modernization Board and commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, took over command of the Navy from Vice Adm. Jesus Millan, in ceremonies at Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila attended by Aquino.
Millan, 56, has retired.
In a speech at the turnover ceremony, the President reported that two heavy landing craft (LCH) donated by Australia arrived in the Philippines last Friday and are now docked at Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila.
The two vessels, to be named BRP Ivatan and BRP Batak, are not combat vessels, though. They will be used for humanitarian and disaster response operations.
“We are considering getting three more vessels. The command is now working on their acquisition papers. And these vessels will be the partners of our landing craft BRP Tagbanua in ferrying aid, including equipment for disaster operations, in various parts of the country,” Aquino said.
The President did not say, however, whether the donated vessels would be refitted for combat capability and deployed to the West Philippine Sea to protect Filipino fishermen against harassment by Chinese warships.
China, which claims 90 percent of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea, seized Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a rich fishing ground off Zambales province, after a two-month standoff between Chinese and Philippine vessels in 2012.
With no ships guarding Philippine territory in the hotly disputed Spratly archipelago, China also seized seven Philippine-claimed reefs there and turned them into artificial islands in a massive expansion that has drawn opposition from other Southeast Asian countries with claims in the South China Sea and the United States.
Secondhand cutters
The United States has sold two secondhand cutters to the Philippines for use in patrolling the West Philippine Sea, part of the South China Sea within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
But the two vessels, named BRP Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar, are no match for China’s bigger and heavily armed warships.
President Aquino, however, cited the Navy for its accomplishments, including ferrying supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting vessel that the Philippines grounded on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in 1999 to mark its territory in the Spratlys. A small garrison of Marines is stationed on the ship.
Courage, determination
The President also cited the Navy’s role in the government’s response to conflict and natural disasters, including the Zamboanga siege, Bohol earthquake and Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.
“Mission accomplished for the Philippine Navy,” Aquino said. “Although we don’t have equipment and weapons, our soldiers are not lacking in courage, ability and determination to defend our territory. I salute you for your service to the flag and the nation.”
Aquino assured citizens that the government was taking efforts to transform the Philippine Navy into a strong and credible force.
Formidable force
In response, Taccad vowed to turn the Philippine Navy into one of the most formidable naval forces in the Asia-Pacific region.
President Benigno Aquino III with Vice Admiral Jesus Millan and newly installed Navy chief Rear
Admiral Caesar Taccad (left)
He said he would work for stable, productive and constructive relationships with the navies of other countries to preserve peace in the region.
“We will continue to protect our seas and secure the future of our nation and its people. We shall continue to be a dependable naval force, prompt in response and sharp in action,” Taccad said.
The new Navy chief said he expected the command’s personnel to serve as gallant protectors of the country despite limited resources and capabilities.
He also thanked the sailors and marines for their work, sacrifices and dedication to the service, and urged them to continue inspiring the people.
“I am confident to assume leadership because I have devoted, fearless, courageous and loyal men with me,” Taccad said.
In his speech, President Aquino said he did not personally know Taccad.
“My information is that he is George Clooney and Albert Einstein combined. And because of his celebrity looks, many people want to take selfies with him. He is held as a genius because of his sharp mind, especially in mathematics,” Aquino said.
PMA Class of ’82
Like Millan, Taccad belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982. Also members of that class are Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, Philippine Air Force chief; Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Army’s Eastern Mindanao Command.
Taccad said he had always wanted to join the Navy to “help make it one of the formidable forces in the region.”
He spoke about his rise through the ranks and said he was happy that “we now have a Navy that is much better than before.”
Taccad thanked the President, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff Hernando Iriberri for giving him their trust and confidence.
Col. Edward Arevalo, spokesman for the Philippine Navy, described Taccad as “simple, humble and unassuming,” as well as “very easy to get along with.”
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