At 112, the Philippine Navy (PN) is one of the oldest in Asia, and at one point during the '60s, it was the envy of the region. Other developing nations in Southeast Asia that were then beginning to form their own navies even took guidance from the Philippines where maritime defense in concerned. However, five decades later, the Philippine Navy is now considered the weakest in Asia - owing to a series of internal conflicts and political crises that resulted in a turn back in the country's naval defense development. Add to this the fact that the government had been spending less - compared to its Asian neighbors - for its military forces. With the Philippines being an archipelagic nation with a maritime domain that spans some 37,652 kilometers or 10.6 percent of the total 356,000 kilometers of the world's coastline, the need for a strong navy has always been emphasized. In an interview, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said the Navy undoubtedly faces an especially challenging gargantuan task with most of its ships, as no less than former Navy Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Adm. Ferdinand Golez admits, are even older than him and most of the naval fleet's officers. "That has long been an open secret. To the pundits, external aggression is remote at this time," said Arevalo, adding, "If the Philippines wants to regain the respect of its neighbors and restore pride in the hearts of its people, a strong navy is imperative." Navy officials openly admit that the PN, at present, has obsolete equipment, some of which are already 50 to 60-years-old. One of its ships, in fact, has seen action during World War II and the Vietnam War. Another ship being used by the naval fleet was commissioned in 1943 in the United States, where its sister ship is now displayed in a museum. Yet, despite its weakness in terms of naval capability due to obsolete, inefficient and aging equipment, some of which have already reached or are reaching the end of their lifespan, the Philippine Navy still manages to serve the nation well and even deliver tremendous accomplishments. Among the remarkable achievements posted by Fleet-Marine units in Basilan and Sulu was the neutralization of several leaders of the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), including Khadaffi Janjalani, Abu Sabaya, and recently Albader Parad. To this, no less than outgoing President Arroyo remarked that the Navy's accomplishments makes her proud to have become its commander-in-chief. Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez, acting Flag Officer-in-Command, vowed to continue the Navy's initiatives, particularly those set by his predecessor, Vice Adm. Ferdinand Golez who retired from active military service last May 15
