Uploaded April 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
China’s harassment against Philippine Navy vessel confirmed
on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. bared that the Philippine government has lodged two diplomatic protests against China over supposed violations of international law and Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
"At 5:17 pm today the Chinese embassy received 2 diplomatic protests: 1. on the pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship in PH waters & 2. declaring parts of Philippine territory as part of Hainan province—both violations of international law & Philippine sovereignty," Locsin said.
#westphilippinesea #wps #southchinasea
China’s harassment against Philippine Navy vessel confirmed
on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. bared that the Philippine government has lodged two diplomatic protests against China over supposed violations of international law and Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
"At 5:17 pm today the Chinese embassy received 2 diplomatic protests: 1. on the pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship in PH waters & 2. declaring parts of Philippine territory as part of Hainan province—both violations of international law & Philippine sovereignty," Locsin said.
#westphilippinesea #wps #southchinasea




![PNR CLARK PHASE 1 | 38-kilometer mass railway transport
PNR CLARK PHASE 1 | 38-kilometer mass railway transport
This 38-kilometer mass railway transport, which forms part of the mega railway network, the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, now stands at 39.70% completion rate as of July 2020.
Even amid the current pandemic, the construction work for the project continues to make strides, such as the construction for the temporary access roads, temporary bridge construction, temporary facility, as well as the bored piling works, structural excavation works, and fabrication of precast segment for the project.
To recall, the project was originally conceptualized in the 1990s, but due to disagreements on funding and a host of other issues, the project has been put at the back burner.
It is only during the Administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and under the leadership of DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade that the project has been made a priority. BUILD BUILD BUILD.
Now, it is almost halfway through completion.
Once fully operational, PNR Clark Phase 1, which will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan, will cut down travel time to just 35 minutes, from the present one (1) hour and 30 minutes by land.
The rail line is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.
Through this video, taken in February 2020 (before the COVID-19 pandemic), we take you on a tour of the progress of PNR Clark Phase 1!
We do not own this video.
[Video Courtesy: SMCC through DOTr] PNR CLARK PHASE 1 | 38-kilometer mass railway transport](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m_yZOJyE9Jc/mqdefault.jpg)

![Armed Black Hawk Attack Helicopter for the Philippine Air Force
Armed Black Hawk Attack Helicopter for the Philippine Air Force
Jarosław Szczepankiewicz, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Philippines , on June 10 shares his thoughts on crucial international issues with Business Mirror’s ENVOYS&EXPATS, and confirms the delivery of the first 6 units of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters by the end of this year.
Jarosław believes the loss of several Philippine shoals to China, which are now artificial islands, is sufficient justification to improve rapidly the country’s defense capabilities.
Jarosław added, “THE purchase of 16 S-70i combat-utility helicopters manufactured by the Polish Aviation Works-Mielec (PZL-Mielec) is an excellent example of cooperation between our two countries. By the end of 2020, PZL-Mielec will hand over the first six units of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the PAF under a contract signed in 2019.”
Meanwhile, Jarosław recommended, a fully armed version of the S-70i which matches the needs of the PAF. Jaroslaw said, “The commonality between the armed Black Hawk and the already contracted 16 S-70is for the PAF combat-utility helicopter program will further enhance sustained cost-efficiencies between the two fleets.”
“Apart from complying with the air force’s acquisition budget, the Armed Black Hawk S-70i has low flight-hour and sustaining costs for training sessions, spare parts, and ground support, as well as high-flight availability. PZL-Mielec can meet the PAF’s schedule with the first Armed Black Hawk delivery in initial operating capability in June 2022, with the remaining aircraft and full operating capability within 2023.”
Attributions:
1. MaxDefense Philippines. (2020, June 30). MaxDefense has finally got confirmation that the Philippine Air Force’s Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Attack Helicopter Acquisition Project [Facebook Post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/MaxDefense/posts/1295613713942616
2. turkishaerospace. (2019, November 6). #T129 #ATAK Multirole Combat Helicopter [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqYjC_NgOJQ
3. Armed Black Hawk Kit install. (2019, August 22). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=139&v=PES3cEAznXM&feature=emb_logo Armed Black Hawk Attack Helicopter for the Philippine Air Force](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nNgivWn0Yo0/mqdefault.jpg)



![PHILIPPINE ARMY ATMOS 155mm Artillery System
PHILIPPINE ARMY ATMOS 155mm Artillery System
The Philippine Army is set to receive the ATMOS 155 mm artillery produced by Elbit Systems of Israel after the Notice to Proceed was released by the DND.
The guns will be acquired by the Philippine Army (PA), which will operate the systems through two batteries initiated under its Army Artillery Regiment (AAR).
The NTP provides Elbit with formal authority to start building the howitzers for the PA consistent with the terms of the contract, which was signed early this year.
The contract was signed by the DND and International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) of the Israel Ministry of Defense (MoD) and framed by an inter-government agreement.
It confirmed that the ATMOS contract has a value of PHP2.386 billion (USD47.2 million) and features the supply and delivery of 12 units. The gun systems are expected to be delivered to the PA from April 2022.
The procurement of the ATMOS system follows the DND’s order in 2015 of Elbit’s 155 mm M-71 towed gun for PHP438.6 million. This order consisted of 12 units, with six each for the PA and the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC). And all were delivered in 2017.
Attributions:
1. Elbit Systems / ATMOS. (2015, July 26). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVZix9g_2Sg PHILIPPINE ARMY ATMOS 155mm Artillery System](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oJvJJor-WpA/mqdefault.jpg)