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13,000 naperwisyo ng Balikatan ‘no-sail zones’ — mga mangingisda

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — From being Bachelor of Science in National Security Management degree holders, next year’s graduates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) would become Bachelor degree holders for Management majors in National Security Studies.

“We’re refocusing only,” explained Lt. Gen. Rowenn Tolentino, Superintendent of the PMA during the presentation of the top graduating c adets on Friday.

Barangay Tubbungon, Surigao City lass, 24-year-old Jeneth Elumba topped this year’s graduat ing cadets, with six other female cadets on the Top 10. She is going to the Philippine Army. 

“We are seeing to it that they are prepared for future wars,” Tolentino said, referring to the external threats.

He said that the improved curriculum for the next PMA class of 2025 was in coordination with the major services of the AFP.

He said that before its finalization for implementation the curriculum underwent a review. 

“We tho ught that, dapat yung curriculum (of the PMA) should be aligned with the needs of the major services (of the AFP),” Tolentino said.

Thus, a new curriculum, which is the Bachelor of Science in Management (Major in Security Studies), focused on their future roles as Lieutenants (in pursuit of a progressive military career).”

Aside from such needs of the major services of the AFP, Tolentino further stressed, “we saw to it that they are prepared for future wars,” specifically external defense. 

PMA Dean of Academics, Brigadier Gen. Demar Pauly confirmed that the first graduates under the new curriculum would finish BS Management, major in Security Studies.  It is an inter-disciplinary course, composed of subjects that have both the socio-humanistic and techno-scientific sides.  

Pauly said that there are two programs on cyber-security, global information system, GIS, special topics on science and technology, engineering subjects while socio-humanistic topics like military history, war and theories, extremism and governance and development including important management topics.

He added that main subject on leadership will still be central in the curriculum

“Maraming leadership subjects, ” Pauly said, adding that PMA is “a leadership institution.”

“So that we will be developing our future leaders… future Lieutenants and also as managers,” he added.

MANILA, Philippines — Iprinotesta ng ilang progresibong mangingisda ang epekto ng “no-sail zones” na ipinatupad sa ilang lugar ng Balikatan Exercises, ito kasabay ng pagtatapos ng war games sa pagitan ng mga tropang Pinoy at Kano ngayong Biyernes.

Ang protesta ay inilunsad sa harapan ng Camp Aguinaldo General Headquarters sa pangunguna ng ilang progresibong grupo. Aniya, 13,000 rehistradong mangingisda at fish vendors na kasi ang naperwisyo nito sa rehiyon ng Ilocos at Zambales.

“Natapos na ang mapang-udyok na Balikatan ng US pero ang perwisyong idinulot nito sa kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda ay patuloy na nararamdaman,” wika ni Salvador France, secretary general ng PAMALAYA.

“Bukod sa epekto sa kabuhayan, pinangangambahang nagdulot ng malawak na pinsala sa ekosistema ang Balikatan dahil sa panganganyon at pangbo-bomba sa dagat na tiyak na nakabulabog sa mga isda at nakasira sa bahura (corals).”

Una nang idineklara ni Balikatan 2024 executive agent Col. Michael Logico ang ipatutupad na no-sail zone sa probinsya ng Ilocos Norte hanggang ngayong araw, bagay na ginawa para magbigay-daan sa counter-landing live-fire exercises sa La Paz Sand Dunes ng Laoag City.

Bukod pa ito sa no-sail zone na ipinatupad sa Zambales para sa integrated air and missle defense na ginawa sa San Antonio.

Una nang sinabi ni Logico na idineklara ang no-sail zones para sa “kaligtasan” ng mga mangingisda at commercial vessels na karaniwang naglalayag sa mga naturang lugar.

Kaugnay nito, magsasafawa aniya ng mga konsultasyon ang PAMALAKAYA sa mga coastal areas na pinagganapan ng Balikatan war games.

Paliwanag ng grupo, ito’y para maimbestigahan na rin daw kung ano ang magiging long-term at negatibong epekto ang maidudulot ng military exercises sa kalikasan at kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda.

Binati naman ni US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson ngayong araw ang 12,000 lumahok sa Balikatan Exercises, kabilang na ang ilang kalahok mula sa Australia, France at observers mula sa 12 bansa.

“[They] took part in impressive training activities across core military functions, fostering robust relationships and deepening expertise. This exercise has taken you everywhere – on land, at sea, in the air, and through cyberspace,” sabi ni Carlson.

“As we have heard both President Marcos and President Biden say, security and economic prosperity are inextricably linked – and nowhere is that more apparent than in the vitally important Indo-Pacific region. Exercise Balikatan stands as proof of our collective commitment to enhancing interoperability in support of long-term prosperity not only for participant nations, but for the world.”

Dalawang araw pa lang ang nakalilipas nang samahan ni Carlson sina Marcos sa Combined Coordination Center – Triple C para panoorin ang US at Philippine forces sa pagsasagawa ng live-fire event na nagpapakita aniya ng kanilang kapasidad magpatupad ng mutual defense requirements.

Ikinagalak din ng US official ang pagpapamalas ng knowledge and expertise sharing ng Balikatan participants: mula sa tactical operations hanggang strategic maneauvers.

“These moments of camaraderie and goodwill extend far beyond military activities,” dagdag niya pa.

“They demonstrate for all to see the strong, meaningful people-to-people ties that form the basis of our steadfast friendship and undergird our longstanding, ironclad alliance.”

Matagal nang sinasabi ng Estados Unidos na handa itong gampanan ang responsibilidad nito sa nilagdaang mutual defense treaty sa Pilipinas, bagay na mag-oobliga aniya sa Amerikang depensahan ang Maynila oras na atakihin.

Ang Zambales ay 124 nautical miles lang mula sa Bajo de Masinloc, isang feature sa loob ng Philippine exclusive economic zone na patuloy na inaangkin ng China.

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