Aquino extends military modernization program for 15 years

From InterAksyon (Dec 11): Aquino extends military modernization program for 15 years

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday signed into law the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act extending the program for another 15 years. Republic Act No. 10349 gives the AFP modernization program a budget of P75 million for the first five years. Aquino said the new law will "boost the AFP's capability upgrade program as it shifts from internal to external defense capability." It institutionalizes the defense system of management, which incorporates a collegial and collaborative planning and decision-making process by senior defense and military leaders.

The new law also allows additional funding from public-private partnerships entered into by the Department of Defense as well as multi-year contracts. Aside from this, it exempts from the value added tax and customs duties the sale of weapons, equipment, and ammunition to the AFP. The law exempts from public bidding major defense purchases such as aircraft, vessels, tanks, armored vehicles, communications equipment and high-powered firearms.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos hailed the siging of the law, saying it would "significantly contribute" to the military's development, particularly towards addressing both internal and external security threats. "With this the AFP will be able to push for the acquisition of equipment ... (and) will also provide greater opportunities and enough time for us to finally achieve a minimum credible defense posture which will help us in better fulfilling our mandate to protect the people and the state," Burgos said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50142/aquino-extends-military-modernization-program-for-15-years