YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — The commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief of the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) were relieved of their duties by Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, Commander, 7th Fleet Aug, 18.

Additionally, a number of officer and enlisted watch standers were held accountable.

The determinations were made following a thorough review of the facts and circumstances leading up to the June 17 collision between Fitzgerald and the merchant vessel ACX Crystal.

The collision was avoidable and both ships demonstrated poor seamanship. Within Fitzgerald, flawed watch stander teamwork and inadequate leadership contributed to the collision that claimed the lives of seven Fitzgerald Sailors, injured three more and damaged both ships.

With absolute accountability for the safe navigation of Fitzgerald, Cmdr. Bryce Benson was relieved due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead. He had previously been temporarily relieved of his duties due to medical reasons from injuries sustained during the collision. Benson is being reassigned to Naval District Washington at the Washington Navy Yard, where he will have access to medical facilities in the area.

Inadequate leadership by the executive officer, Cmdr. Sean Babbitt, and command master chief, Master Chief Petty Officer Brice Baldwin, contributed to the lack of watch stander preparedness and readiness that was evident in the events leading up to the collision.

Several junior officers were relieved of their duties due to poor seamanship and flawed teamwork as bridge and combat information center watch standers. Additional administrative actions were taken against members of both watch teams.

Cmdr. Garret Miller will assume command from Fitzgerald’s acting commanding officer, Cmdr. John “Jack” Fay sometime mid-to-late-August.

It was also evident from this review that the entire Fitzgerald crew demonstrated real toughness that night. Following the collision these Sailors responded with urgency, determination and creativity to save their ship. Their rigorous damage control efforts and dauntless fighting in the immediate wake of the accident prevented further loss of life. (By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs)

First Published: pauldavisoncrime.com

Continue Reading

Alas otso ng umaga nitong Biyernes nang magsimulang magmartsa ang ilang mga lider-manggagawa ng Hanjin patungong tanggapan ng DOLE Zambales upang ipahayag ang kanilang mga hinaing sa pamunuan ng naturang shipyard company partikular sa mga paglabag umano nito sa karapatang-pantao at karapatan ng mga manggagawa.

Ulat ni Lolito Go

Kasama ang AMAPO o ang Alyansa ng Manggagawang Pilipinong Organisado, ito na ang ikatlong pagkakataon na nagtungo ang grupo sa DOLE upang siguruhing umusad na ang kanilang petisyon para sa certification election na nakatakda namang isagawa sa katapusan ng Agosto. Kailangan ang certification election upang mapagtibay ang pagkakaroon ng unyon sa loob ng kumpanya na sya namang sisiguro sa kapakanan at karapatan ng mga manggagawa.

Samantala, kabilang sa mga nagsipagmartsa ay ang mga dati at kasalukuyang empleyado ng Hanjin na nakaranas umano ng sexual harassment at forced labor at iba pang unfair labor practices.
Ang Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation Philippines ay ang pinakamalaking shipyard sa bansa at pang-apat naman sa pinakamalaki sa mundo.

Matatandaang ilang beses na ring nasadlak sa kontrobersiya ang naturang kumpanya dahil sa pang-aabuso umano ng mga Korean employers sa mga trabahante nito na nakuhanan pa ng camera at naging viral sa social media.

Nakatakdang ituloy sa Martes sa susunod na linggo ang ilan pang usapin tulad ng magiging venue para sa isasagawang certification election.

First Published: Subic Broadcasting Corporation @ Facebook

Continue Reading

Street dancers showcase their talent and colorful costumes during the 85th Feast of San Roque celebration inside Harbor Point Ayala Mall yesterday.

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone commemorates the feast of San Roque, the patron saint of this premier Freeport every year with a street dancing competition. (Jonas Reyes)

First Published: news.mb.com.ph

Continue Reading

I refer to a letter to the editor titled “What Koko should know” and submitted by one Anton Deleon (7/7/17).

The letter makes imputations that I have been “accused of frittering away millions of pesos in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) funds for travels abroad” and engaging in “unofficial outings in restaurants and hotels in and around Subic Bay.” These imputations are clearly defamatory and, worse, are absolutely false.

I have never been accused of spending any amount of SBMA funds nor to have been in any unofficial outings in establishments in and around the SBMA. This is confirmed by lawyer Wilma T. Eisma, SBMA administrator and CEO.

That the publication of the letter is motivated by malice and ill-will is easily discernible. I refer you to a similar, almost identical, article previously written by one Paul M. Gutierrez titled “SP Koko’s ‘disconnect’ with (SBMA) realty,” which was published in the Opinion section of Journal Online (http://www.journal.com.ph/editorial/opinion/sp-koko-s-disconnect-with-sbma-realty).

How this earlier article differs from the letter you published is that it is SBMA Chair Martin Diño who was reported to be “accused of frittering away millions of pesos in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) funds for travels abroad” and engaging in “unofficial outings in restaurants and hotels in and around Subic Bay.”

Clearly, the letter published in your newspaper merely substituted the term “Senate President” in place of the name of “Diño” but is identical in all other respects to the Gutierrez article.
Deleon, the writer of the letter you published, recently sent me an email stating that he was likewise referring to SBMA Chair Martin Diño. He said “PDI editors edited and rewrote” his letter by inserting the words “Senate President” in place of the pronoun “he,” thereby making it appear that it is the undersigned that is “accused of frittering away millions of pesos in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) funds for travels abroad” and engaging in “unofficial outings in restaurants and hotels in and around Subic Bay.”

No other reason could have motivated the editors of the Inquirer to rewrite the paragraph and insert the term “Senate President” except ill-will, malice and spite.

SEN. AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL III

We apologize for the editing lapse..—ED.

First Published: opinion.inquirer.net

Continue Reading

How times change. There was a time in the not too distant past when a foodie in Olongapo doesn’t feel shortchanged by the now so pervasive fast-food eating culture. There was a time when most of us would not just settle for McDonald’s, KFC, and other fast-food franchise to enjoy a delicious, typical Filipino meal.

Olongapo’s food scene today is a far cry from those yonder days from the 60s to 80s when we would go to Kong’s for a mouthwatering Chinese feast, Nina’s Papagayo for harmoniously flavored Mexican specialties, or the Chatterbox, Lee’s, and Sam’s Pizza for gourmet comfort food. Of course, some of these mainstays are till around, and then there’s Rico’s – a legendary local turo-turo – and remember Goto Gate, where we would satisfy our cravings for good ol’ goto or arroz caldo instead of the lame Lugaw Republic variations.

But if we really want to savor truly sumptuous flavors — Filipino or otherwise — in Olongapo or Zambales today, where do we go? Where do you go? Share with us your favorite places and tell us why you love them in a few words (describing their food taste, signature dishes, overall presentation, service, price, and ambience).

First Published: subicsun.com

Continue Reading