PHILIPPINE FLEET HISTORY

The Philippine Fleet issynonymous to PhilippineNavy. The Navy is the Fleetand the Fleet is the Navy. Assuch, it also traces its origin tothe pre-war Off Shore Patrol(OSP) the forerunner of thePhilippine Navy.

The creation of the OSP was an offshoot of a news report that a “mysteryflotilla” was sighted conducting maneuvers OFF Davao Golf on 10 April 1938.Acting on the news report, President Quezon ordered on the creation of the OffShore Patrol (OSP) as a unit of the Philippine Army and handpicked MajorRafael Ramos to organize the new unit. Assisting him was Lt. Jose V. AndradaUSNA’30 who was designated later as the acting Chief OSP on 18 June 1938when the former was sent to the US for a Quartermaster schooling. On 04December 1941 few days before the war broke Capt Enrique Jurado, OSP, PAtook over the helm of the Off Shore Patrol.

When War broke out in the pacific, on 08 December 1941, this fledging fleet,composed of fast and highly maneuverable motor torpedo boats known as Q-boats, was committed against the Japanese Imperial Navy. Undaunted byenemy superiority, the ubiquitous patrol boats fought with zeal, courage andheroism hitting Japanese warships with torpedos when given the opportunity.

Because of its intrepid and successful raids on enemy ships, the squadronwas dubbed the “Mosquito Fleet” mainly because of its manuscule size and itscapability to attack with a deadly sting. The squadron relied on speed andsurprise to attack larger vessels at close range. As a result, 65 percent of itsmen were awarded the Silver Star Medal and other decorations for gallantry inaction. This is a heroic legacy that the Philippine Fleet cherishes, perpetuatesand lives by to this day and onward.

After the war, Off Shore Patrol (OSP) was redesignated as Philippine NavalPatrol (PNP) on 24 October 1947 pursuant to GO Nr 228 issued by then GeneralJalandoni. Under this reorganization law of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,the Philippine Naval Patrol was elevated as one of its major command. Afterironing out every detail of the reorganization as mandated by the Executiveorder, the Philippine naval Patrol was formally organized on 02 June 1948. ColJose V. Andrada was designated as commander, Philippine Naval Patrol. Thistitle of his rank was later changed to Navy Captain, by authority of Sec 18 ofExecutive Order Nr 94. The Philippine Navy Patrol expanded with the integrationof Marine Battalion, Underwater operations Unit, and Naval Air Unit to theCommand. As it acquired bigger patrol and transport ships, the Patrol Force andthe Service Force was also created. Then pursuant to Executive Order No. 389dated 23 Dec. 1950, the Armed Forces of the Philippines were reorganized intofour major commands. The Executive Order likewise mandated the change ofdesignation from the Philippine Naval Patrol to Philippine Navy.

THE BIRTH OF THE PHILIPPINE FLEET

Naval Operating Forces/Naval Defense Force

On 22 Aug 1960, with the expansion of the Philippine Navy Organization, theNaval Operating Forces was activated as a major unit pursuant to HPN GO Nr14 to become the main fighting arm of the Philippine navy. Units as well as theirmissions absorbed by the Naval Operating Forces and the Service Force (laterdeactivated on 16 Mar 1963), together with the marine Battalion, UnderwaterOperations UNIT< Naval Air Unit, and Small Craft Unit. The first commanderwas Capt Juan Magluyan PN (GSC).

Through the years, the Naval Operating Forces grew and expanded with theacquisition of more vessels of various types. The Fleet underwent severalreorganizations as the missions varied. New units were added such as the Anti-Submarine Force, the reactivated Service Force, Coast Guard Force, MineForce and Ready Force.

A year after the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, the Ready Force and theMarine Battalion were separated from the Naval Operating Forces. Thesebecame major units of the Philippine Navy.

On April 22, 1976, the Naval Operating Force (NOF) became the NavalDefense Forces (NDF) with Capt Leonardo G. Bugayong PN (GSC) as its firstcommander. A complete revamp of the organization set-up of the Naval DefenseForces was undertaken in order to make it more responsive to its new missionand to meet the increasing requirements of the new PN command.

An offshoot of the organization was the adoption of the Type Commandconcept, which called for the activation of three major units the Patrol EscortForce, the Service Force and the Special Operation Force. (SOF). The SOF tookunder the command the Small Craft Squadron and the Underwater OperationsGroup-, which later became a Naval Craft Force and Naval Special WarfareGroup respectively. Under this new set-up, the following units were also

subsequently activated. Naval Air Group, Service Support Group, MaterialSupport Group and Maintenance repair Group. On the other hand, on 22 April1976 the Amphibious Strike Group was activated and under the operationalcontrol of Ready force 9a special unit under FOIC, PN)

The turnover of the US Naval Station, Sangley point to the Philippinegovernment on 10 Sept 1971 precipitated the birth of the sea-lift-AmphibiousCommand. Its operation was an offshoot of the expansion of the Philippine Navyand its increasing mandate in its socio-economic development program throughtransport and sealift missions.

The forerunner of Sealift-amphibious Command (SAC) was the AFP TerminalCommand (AFPTC), which was activated on 09 Jan 1972 serving as the logisticsupport base of the AFP under the administrative and operational control of theftLogistics Center. On 06 June 1972 the Chief of Staff General Romeo C. EspinoAFP transferring the administrative and operational control of AFPTC to AFPLogistics Center to the Philippine Navy issued General Orders Nr. 561. As aresult several transport vessels of the navy were assigned to the unit therebyexpanding transport capability.

On 05 Dec. 1973, pursuant to GO Nr. 133 HPN, the Command was reorga-nized and subsequently renamed the Military Sealift and Terminal Command(MSTC) as one major unit of the Philippine Navy. Later the Command wasdesignated as the Sea lift-Amphibious Command after all amphibious vesselsand crafts of the then Naval Operating Forces were transferred to Military SealiftTerminal command on 01 July 1976.

The Philippine Fleet today

On 01 March 1988, the Naval defense Forces (NDF) and the Sealift-Amphibious Command (SAC) were merged as one command. All the personnel,equipment and facilities of the two deactivated units were transferred andassigned to Philippine Fleet. Its Headquarters was set up at the former Sealift-Amphibious Command Headquarters at Naval Base Cavite, Sangley Point,Cavite City. Commo Juanito G. Cortez AFP was designated as the firstcommander.

The reorganized Philippine Fleet meet bigger challenges as well as to enableit to perform more effectively its role in naval defense and in support to nationaldevelopment efforts.

Today, as a type command, the Fleet has major units, namely: the ReadyForce, Patrol Force, Service Force and Fleet Support Group and special units,Naval Air Group, Naval Special Warfare Group and Fleet Training Group.

THE COMMANDANTS

NAVAL OPERATING FORCES

1. CAPT JUAN B. MAGLAYAN PN (GSC)2. CAPT SANTIAGO C. NOVAL PN (GSC)3. CAPT EMILIO S. LIWANAG PN (GSC)4. CAPT FELIX M. APOLINARIO PN (GSC)5. COMMO RAMON A. ALCARAZ AFP6. COMMO HERACLEO J. ALANO AFP7. COMMO PASTOR G. VIADO AFP8. COMMO DIOSCORO E. PAPA

NAVAL DEFENSE FORCES

1. CAPT LEONARDO G. BUGAYONG PN (GSC)2. CAPT DANTE Q. DE GUZMAN PN (GSC)3. COMMO TAGUMAY R. JARDINI AFP4. COMMO ERNESTO S. RAMOS AFP

SEALIFT-AMPHIBIOUS COMMAND(01 Jan 1972 – 01 Mar 1988)

1. COMMO GENARO M. FRIAS AFP2. COMMO DANTE R. GONZAGA AFP3. COMMO PONCIANO T. BAUTISTA AFP4. COMMO ROBERTO M AMPIG AFP5. CAPT RUBEN G. DELA CRUZ PN (GSC)6. COMMO ISMAEL D. APARI AFP7. COMMO GEORGE D. TEMPLO AFP

PHILIPPINE FLEET(01 Mar 1988 to present)

1. COMMO JUANITO G. CORTEZ AFP2. COMMO PROCESO C. FERNANDEZ AFP3. COMMO MARIAO J. DUMANCAS AFP4. COMMO DARIO T. FAJARDO AFP5. COMMO EDUARDO I. TOLENTINO AFP6. COMMO ANTONIO G. SURATO AFP7. COMMO NICASIO A. BLANCAS AFP8. RADM ERIBERTO C. VARONA AFP9. COMMO DANTE Z. RUIZ AFP10. RADM NAPOLEON C. BAYLON AFP11. RADM ERLINDO A EROLIN AFP12. COMMO RUBEN G. DOMINGO AFP13. RADM JOAQUIN Y. TAN AFP14. RADM GILMER B. BATESTIL AFP

ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT

The Philippine Fleet’s mission is to prepare and operate assigned forces fornaval operations in order to support the PN accomplish its mission. Its generalobjectives are to optimize operational readiness and combat effectiveness ofequipment and personnel and effectively manage available resources throughefficient internal administration.

The specific functions of the Fleet are, First, to provide assets that will conductcontinuous naval patrol, sea control and amphibious operations in order todefend the sovereignty of the country, its territorial waters and EEZ from foreignaggression, intrusion and exploitation. Second, to assist in the conduct ofnational security operations and ensure safety and security of coastal areas.Third, to employ assets to assist in the conduct of disaster response, particularlymaritime search and rescue and patrol, sealift and other type of operations asdirected.

Fleet assets were able to detect and apprehend numerous lawless elementsengaging in illegal maritime activities. These operations were conducted whilevessels and aircraft were enroute to their designated Area of Operations andwhile still under the OPCON of PHILFLT. And to include some of its majoraccomplishment are as follows:

1. Conducted and participated in search and rescue operation on M/VPrincess of the Orient when it sank at vicinity of Carabao Island last Sept1998.

2. Conducted search and rescue operation for ill-fated PAF. Nomad aircraftcarrying COMWESCOM and party last 03 Jul 2000.

3. The Fleet organized an Amphibious Task Force (ATF), composed ofTransport and Patrol ships, Patrol Gunboats, aircraft and NSWG Teams toundertake amphibious operations in order to rescue the hostages of theAbu sayyaf Group (ASG)

4. The fleet ably supported the Joint Task Force Trident by deploying assetsto support the conduct of Maritime negation and Patrol particularly in theisland of Jolo.

5. Planned and executed all major activities in connection with the retirementof VADM FERNANDEZ AFP to wit commissioning of PG-395, TestimonialParade and Thanksgiving Night last 20 Nov. 2000.

The Fleet has greatly contributed in the Navy firm commitments in promotingregional security through the conduct of Bilateral Exercises with the US,Indonesia and Malaysia navies and PASSEXes with the other visiting foreignnavies. Among the notable Bilateral Exercises conducted are as follows:

1. CARAT’98with USS mobile Bay on 05 Aug 1998.2. CARAT’99 participated by PS –37, PS-31, PG 392, DF-342 and PNI- 304

from 03 May to 01 Jun 1999.3. PALAH 01-’99 participated by four (4) officers and twenty (20) enlisted

personnel from the NSWG and its USN personnel counterpart from 03-21May 1999.

4. MARSURVEX with USN P-3C Orion aircraft participated PNI-304 and PAFOV 10 on 01 Jun 1999

5. RANFCPKAKADU 4’99 participated by PS17 and IC –550 at DarwinAustralia from 20 Jul to 13 Aug 1999.

6. Joint RP-US Military Training Exercise (BALIKATAN 2000) from 21 Feb-04Mar 2000.

7. CARAT 2000 from 13 – 20 June 20008. Exercise LUMBAS from 15 –22 Sep 2000.9. MARSURVEX from 25-29 Sep 2000.

10. MALPHILAUT3/2000 from 13 – 22 Nov 2000.11. Flshpiston FROM 04-25 Aug 2000.12. CORPAT PHILINDO from 09 – 14 Oct 2000

The Fleet also emphasized the value of ship and crew readiness by providingsupport during the conduct of the following:

- JFTX (SANGHAYA99) participated by LT –516,DF339,PNI323 and one (1)officer and seven (7) enlisted personnel from NSWG.

- Boat Handling Exercise of 143rd NOQC “B” using DF 339 from 07 – 09 Jul1999 AT manila Bay

- PAGSASAMA99 – 1 Exercise participated by PS-70, PS-19 and PG 104 atBohol and Cebu on 05 Aug 1999.

- GUNNEX participated by PS-70,PS-31,PG-102,PG-381,PG-393, LC551(viewing flatform) DF-321 and DF 340 (marshal craft) on 13 Aug 1999

- In-service Training/OJT of PMA CL 99 Midshipmen from 14 Dec 1998 to 07Feb 1999.

- Sea Phase Training of 143rd NOQC “B” from 19 Jan to 01 Feb 1999.

- Sea phase Training of 198th BSC from 01-07 Mar 1999.(1st Batch) and 08-13 Mar 1999 (2nd Batch)

- Summer Shipboard Training of 179 PMM FROM 19-20 Apr 1999

- Summer Shipboard Training og NS-43 Midshipmen from 07 Apr- 04 Jun

1999.

- Fleet Training Cruise from 02 Oct –03 Nov 2000.