An Intensive Look at the Philippine Navy

The Philippine Navy used to be Southeast Asia’s most equipped naval force. In fact, its more powerful neighbors such as Indonesia and Malaysia once looked up at the Philippines for assistance in developing their own navies back when they were just emerging nations in the 1960s.

But now, more than 40 years later, the Philippine Navy is one of the weakest forces in the region.

With an old, decrepit fleet and a formidable yet ill-equipped marine corps, the Philippine Navy cannot stand a chance against the emerging and evolving security threats in Southeast Asia. It has been left behind by neighbors it once trained, who have now emerged as the regions most adept naval forces, capable of thwarting threats not only internally or regionally but also beyond their reach.

I just received reports that the Royal Malaysian Navy has freed a hijacked tanker off the coast of Somalia securing both ship and hostages without the loss of life.

Insensitive

Timing is everything in politics. Whether you opt to make a speech, file a bill in legislature, or run for public office, timing play a vital role in all these actions. A public official ought to be consulting his peers and advisers on the timing of his/her actions lest s/he faces the consequences it may incur. In politics, observance of good timing can be a tool to build up trust and confidence, even integrity; the lack of which only spells catastrophe especially for novice politicians.