Navy Chief inspires sailors and marines in spite of corruption raps vs AFP



 

Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, Rear Admiral Alexander Pama shared his vision with the troops, encouraging them that the government is prepared to take the step to modernize its Fleet following the pronouncement of President Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. to procure the US Coast Guard Hamilton Class vessel  scheduled to arrive sometime in August 2011.



The New Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, Rear Admiral Alexander Pama made his first visit to the Philippine Fleet headquarters on February 18, 2011 to dialogue with more than 500 sailors and marines assigned in the Philippine Navy’s largest Command.

Rear Admiral Pama announced to the troops that the government is ready to acquire modern ships and that this is an opportunity to modernize the Fleet, having the full support of Armed Forces of the Philippines, which President Aquino mandated during his State of the Nation Address.

Rear Admiral Alano said that the Fleet is preparing for the arrival of the US Coast Guard Hamilton which is scheduled to arrive mid this year. Seven more vessels are expected to arrive within the next two years, and hence it is crucial to carefully study the appropriate technical specifications of the vessels we are buying in order to achieve the desired capabilities needed for the vessels to perform its intended purpose.

The US Coast Guard Hamilton will be the largest ship in the inventory of the Philippine Navy measuring up to 380 feet in length. While the seven other vessels to be procured are three offshore patrol vessels, three multipurpose attack craft and a landing craft utility.

Meanwhile, addressing the men on corruption issues battering the Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Pama said he was deeply sad on how the credibility of the entire organization was tainted by a few, but he took a rather positive note that such situations are inevitable and sometimes necessary to bring about better reforms.

He added that these controversies happened several years back and it should not frail their spirits and sense of pride in the organization they swore to uphold. Generations of officers are changing for the better, and as far as the Philippine Navy is concerned, President Aquino’s mandate to modernize the Philippine Fleet is the best reason that should keep every sailor and marine focused on this long awaited opportunity to have newer vessels.