Aquino vows stronger military forces

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 22): Aquino vows stronger military forces

President Benigno Aquino III has vowed to roll out a stronger and more capable Armed Forces of the Philippines with a P75 billion budget for hard power upgrade over the next five years. In what officials described as a “scaled down” celebration of the AFP’s 77th anniversary on Friday, Mr. Aquino said the modernization fund will put an end to jokes about the military being a “poor cowboy” who does not have the means to fight his enemies. “The new AFP Modernization Act is key to building a modern, stronger, and more reliable Armed Forces,” he said. “Prepare the tarmacs now for new planes that would soar in our skies. Prepare the docks for our modern Navy ships that would protect our waters. It is time to retire the antique trucks being used by the Philippine Army and replace these with faster and more modern tanks and trucks. And of course, we will roll out high-caliber firearms and force protection equipment to further the AFP’s capability to protect Filipinos,” the President said.

AFP planners had identified 39 projects to be covered by the revised modernization program. The Air Force will acquire 21 additional UH-1B multipurpose helicopters to replace the Vietnam War-vintage UH-1H (Huey) helicopters and 10 attack helicopters in the next two years. The modernization program would also include the purchase of three medium-lift aircraft to complement the Air Force’s C-130 Hercules cargo planes.

The measure also exempts certain major defense purchases such as aircraft, vessels, tanks, armored vehicles, communications equipment and high powered firearms from public bidding. The new law also grants additional funding sources from public-private partnerships entered into by the defense department of the AFP and exempts from value added tax and customs duties the sale of weapons, equipment, and ammunition to the AFP.

The president afterwards handed awards to 12 soldiers and civilian employees for their achievements, gallantry and bravery in combat. Officials toned down Friday’s celebration in deference to the victims of Typhoon Pablo. The celebration did away with the traditional fly-by of the Philippine Air Force. It paraded motorized, mounted, and marching troops proceeded sans the humanitarian assistance and disaster response team and equipment, which are currently deployed in Mindanao for the relief and retrieval operations. The celebration, though, showcased other military assets and equipment and thrilled the crowd with a skydiving show.

The AFP said it also canceled its traditional ball and dinner in honor of former chiefs of staff and dignitaries. AFP Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa said with the scaled down celebration and simple Christmas parties, the AFP were able to save 2 million, which he said will help augment the initial P3 million released to help and assist the victims of typhoon Pablo. Dellosa said this is on top of the P19 million worth of donations for the typhoon victims gathered by the AFP General Headquarters.

In a related development, newly-appointed Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Jose Alano said that the Navy planned to enhance its alliance with foreign navies to strengthen its capability to protect the country’s territorial waters. Alano, who assumed the top Navy post on Wednesday, said a strong military partnership with foreign navy allies was necessary “to protect our people and our territory.” Alano replaced former Navy Chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama who vowed out of military service after reaching mandatory retirement age of 56 Wednesday. Alano and Pama were batchmates in the Philippine Military Academy Class of 79. “We will further enhance engagements with our counterparts, particularly those who share common interests, values and beliefs, of peace and stability in the region, of freedom of navigation, of respect of rights of all nations, and of peaceful resolution through observance of the rule of law and due process,” Alano said. “We will continue with our strategic partnership to make the Philippine Navy a strong and credible Navy,” he added.

As this developed, reports said that the US planned to deploy some of its newest warships and other high-tech weapons to the Asia-Pacific as part of its “pivot” in the region. The report said the Pentagon will send P-8 submarine-hunting aircraft, cruise missiles, Virginia-class submarines, coastal combat ships and F-35 fighter jets to Asian ports and bases in coming years. Washington has been pushing for the pivot in Asia amid concerns over China’s growing military power and its assertive stance in territorial disputes with its neighbors. Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia are locked in territorial disputes with China and have sought to bolster military ties to Washington to counter Beijing’s influence.

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