Biazon: US carrier not for rescue, recovery operations (??!!??)

[Monseratto]

Nagpapabida na naman mga walang kwentang senadors...

USS Reagan’s entry may violate no nuke in Charter

Senators yesterday said they were perplexed over the sending of a US naval battle fleet led by carrier USS Ronald Reagan for largely retrieval of the dead inside the ferry Princess of Stars that capsized with more than 800 aboard off Sibuyan Island at the height of Typhoon “Frank” last Saturday.

Legislators said the carrier, the largest and newest of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, according to the US government, likely carries nuclear weapons which the Constitution prohibits visiting foreign ships from bringing into the country’s territory.

Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Sen. Rodolfo Biazon emphasized the constitutional provision policy that frees the country from any nuclear weapons.

“We do not know, however, whether or not USS Reagan is carrying nuclear weapons because if that be the case, then there could be a violation of our Constitution,” Biazon told reporters.

Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, said what is certain is that the US warship is a “nuclear powered vessel,” meaning it is propelled by nuclear reactors.

“And that is not a weapon. Based on the current situation in the world, especially after the thawing of the cold war back in the early 90s I do not expect all the vessels of the US Navy carrying nuclear weapons except the submarines. And if it is aircraft we are talking about, it would be the aircraft of the Strategic Air Command, not the aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan or any aircraft carrier of the US Navy or Forces,” he said.

“My question is, is the USS Reagan the appropriate ship to be sent to assist and what has to be done still relative to the sinking of the M/V Princess of the Stars? They may have some divers in the USS Reagan but are they properly equipped to do what has to be done in the sunken ship? I would welcome a Marine Landing Platform Helicopter or an LSD, Landing Ship Dock which is also a US Marine vessel. I think they are more equipped than an aircraft carrier,” he said.

“The USS Ronald Reagan is a strategic and combat vessel whose main asset are aircraft, F-18s mainly. What will the F-18s do for the Princess of the Stars recovery? An aircraft carrier is not designed for salvage. I don’t think the USS Ronald Reagan is the appropriate ship to be sent,”Biazon said.

Both Biazon and Pimentel welcomed the assistance from the foreign government to the country, saying that it’s a sign of their concern especially in times of need.

But they both emphasized that such move could also be sending an alarming signal being a war and combat vessel especially to the country that sits in the so-called nuclear-free zone.

Biazon said the ideal ship the US government should send are salvage ships with cranes or smaller vessels.

“It is not only the experts in salvage ships who you will need but the salvage equipment.. the USS Ronald Reagan is a war and combat vessel,” he said.

Pimentel, in another interview, said that while the US government is trying to justify that it is on a rescue mission, “I am not too sure that it sends a good message to our country.”

“Can anybody really tell us that USS Reagan has no nuclear weapons? I think the policy the US has adopted is that don’t ask questions and we tell u no lie, it’s something like that.

“As I’ve said, we can probably mitigate, lessen our reservation if it can be shown that it is only a ship that is in the vicinity to aboard timely rescue,” he added.

“A declaration that the USS Ronald Reagan has no nuclear weapon would be sufficient,” Biazon said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080626hed1.html

[Monseratto]

Yano, Gordon assail critics of US military aid for typhoon victims
Nation, 6/26/2008 4:13 PM June 26, 2008


The military's highest-ranking official and a senator on Thursday defended the entry of the United States' largest aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, both saying the country should welcome the assistance brought by the ship instead of criticizing its presence.

The USS Ronald Reagan is a US aircraft carrier strike group, which consists of a carrier, a cruiser, three destroyers and a frigate.

It was directed by US President George W. Bush to help in the search for possible survivors and remains of victims in the ill-fated ferry, which sank off the coast of Romblon last Saturday during the height of typhoon Frank. It will also help in disaster relief operations in typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas.

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chair and Sen. Richard Gordon defended the presence of the USS Ronald Reagan, amid doubts whether it was equipped and capable of performing its desired function of helping in the rescue and relief from typhoon Frank’s devastation.

Gordon, who had sought US assistance in his capacity as PNRC chair, was reacting to Sen. Rodolfo Biazon’s comment that the US should have sent salvage ships instead of the aircraft carrier, which basically carries fighter planes and other military aircraft.

"We should be thankful," said Gordon. "Pagka may nalunod, kunin na natin lahat ng tulong."

He noted that even fighter planes and helicopters are useful in the rescue, retrieval or relief operations because they can fly over the area or ferry relief goods to the typhoon-hit areas.

Yano: We should welcome US assistance

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Gen. Alexander Yano said the country should "welcome" the assistance of the United States in the search for possible survivors and remains of victims in the capsized M/V Princess of the Stars, during a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) held Thursday at a hotel in Makati City.

Yano, who was the guest speaker of the FOCAP forum, discussed several issues concerning the AFP, from the operations regarding the M/V Princess of the Stars tragedy to the pursuit operations by the military against the kidnappers of ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Drilon and her group after their release last week.

Yano said the AFP welcomes the assistance extended by the US, saying the temporary presence of the USS Ronald Reagan won't violate the country's Constitution. He said the US has long been a "partner" and an "ally" of the country.

Biazon on Wednesday also questioned the US government's deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan since the vessel is believed to be carrying nuclear weapons. He said the Constitution bars the entry of ships carrying nuclear weapons in the country's territory.

But according to the AFP Chief of Staff, the ships sent by the US are not nuclear-armed but nuclear-powered.

He said that instead of criticizing the motives of the US, people should welcome their help.

Yano also said that several hundred Filipino soldiers have been tasked to help in disaster relief and search and rescue operations.

He said nine helicopters of the Philippine Air Force, four ships of the Philippine Navy and hundreds of soldiers are helping out in the search and rescue operations of the missing passengers of ill-fated ship.

USS Ronald Reagan

In a press statement Wednesday, the US embassy said the USS Ronald Reagan has on-board aircraft that can "assist with transportation of cargo, aerial damage assessment, and support search-and-rescue operations."

"Under the direction of Philippine disaster relief authorities, USS Ronald Reagan personnel may provide assistance including aircraft support, production and delivery of potable water, medical assistance activities, and machinery repair," the US embassy said.

"The USS Ronald Reagan’s carrier group includes the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, the destroyers USS Decatur, USS Gridley, and USS Howard, the frigate USS Thach, and other supporting vessels," the embassy said.[SIZE=3][SIZE=2]

With reports from Jay Ruiz and Lynda Jumilla, ABS-CBN News[/SIZE][/SIZE]

Source:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage...StoryId=123100

[Jun aka Pekto]

I'm not an expert on disaster relief. But, I'd guess the USS Reagan battlegroup is the closest US ships around. Plus, its ships are fast-moving unlike pure salvage ships which tend to be slower.

Salvage ships..... Biazon's probably focused only on the ferry disaster. He's not seeing the big picture where there are others victims/survivors of Typhoon Frank besides those from the ferry.

If he's trying to uphold the rules, then he's got a point. If the rules say no nukes, then no nukes.

Add: But a carrier battlegroup is a self-reliant force and includes a very capable Search and Rescue function. After all, they have to be able to pinpoint a single pilot in the vast expanses of the oceans in the event that pilot had to bail out.

I've ridden in Search and Rescue choppers several times. I still marvel at how the crew can spot someone below while I stared at the same spot and was clueless.

Crewman: There he is.
Me: Where? I don't see a thing.
Crewman: He's right there (pointing).
Me: Uh, yeah. I'll take your word for it.

[Altis6453]

I think Biazon is grandstanding. What he doesn't realize is that the battle group of the USS Ronald Reagan has its own search and rescue personnel who are experts in seaborne rescues. Sheesh! Goes to show that ex-soldiers should never be recycled into politicians.

[Jun aka Pekto]

I think Biazon is grandstanding. What he doesn't realize is that the battle group of the USS Ronald Reagan has its own search and rescue personnel who are experts in seaborne rescues. Sheesh! Goes to show that ex-soldiers should never be recycled into politicians.

He was right to bring up that question about nuke weapons. Quite frankly, it was a good call on his part if nobody else had thought of it.

Now if he continues to insist the USS Reagan stay out even after that ship was shown to have no nukes, then he probably is grandstanding.

[Galactus]

And if it is aircraft we are talking about, it would be the aircraft of the Strategic Air Command, not the aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan or any aircraft carrier of the US Navy or Forces,” he said.

Medyo hindi na pala updated si Sen. Biazon. The Strategic Air Command (SAC) no longer exists, having been deactivated in 1992. It has been supplanted by the US Strategic Command. I was listening in to an interview this morning by Melo del Prado (DZBB), and the Senator was mouthing off what he knew about SAC and carrier groups. Obvious na nagpapasiklab, but he came across as a high-pitched smartaleck.

And carrier strike groups are nuclear-capable. May mga escorts kasi ang carrier na frigates, cruisers and destroyers, which may or may not carry nuclear-tipped Tomahawk cruise missiles. And of course, attack submarines. But the problem is, the US has always maintained a no comment policy on their ships when it enters other countries' waters.

[jonski]

Ok to kasi may mga sariling hospital sa carrier group nila para tumulong.

[HyBrideVo]

what the hell is his (biazon's) problem?!

crazy stupid mofo just want to be talked about! :screwloose:

[redorange]

So do the Senators in the Philippines want another Myanmar where foreign assistance is denied? As far as the USS Reagan not being properly equipped, Biazon may want to look at what the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard has at it's disposal. He may find that the aircraft carrier may be better equipped than the RP Navy and Coast Guard with their antiquated equipment because the politicians were too busy stealing from the fundings of both service.

Edit: If he is so concerned about the constitution then why doesn't he ask why there are US forces in Mindanao going after the MILF, Abu Sayyaf, etc? Doesn't the constitution prohibit foreign forces from doing such a thing in the Philippines?

[Jun aka Pekto]

Edit: If he is so concerned about the constitution then why doesn't he ask why there are US forces in Mindanao going after the MILF, Abu Sayyaf, etc? Doesn't the constitution prohibit foreign forces from doing such a thing in the Philippines?

I'm under the understanding that US Forces in Mindanao are training Philippine forces in anti-terrorist measures while other US forces undergo jungle warfare training by Philippine advisors.

I was under the impression that overall, US forces in the Philippines are in a non-combat role.

There is a mutual defense treaty in place. I imagine joint training between the two countries fall under its guidelines.