From the Manila Bulletin (Apr 6): Del Rosario sees military savings
Fresh from his “productive” trip to Washington DC, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario emphasized that joint training with the US results in savings on training expertise and training equipment and other resources – savings that can be used instead to purchase more much-needed equipment and material.
Del Rosario made this declaration in his keynote speech during the Balikatan 2013 opening at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday as he trumpeted the fruits of his recent meeting with high-ranking government officials of the US.
“This week, I met with both Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Washington,” he said. “In all these discussions, both sides reiterated their firm commitments as strategic partners and treaty allies.”
Del Rosario also mentioned the recent visits in Manila of US congressional delegations led by Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Congressman Ed Royce, and Defense Deputy Secretary Ashton Carter.
He said these key officials pledged to work with the Philippines to build its capacity to defend itself even as he pointed out that the country, on its own, is pouring money to boost its defense capabilities.
“The Philippines is investing in its own defense at levels never seen before,” Del Rosario said noting that last December, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed the new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act (RA10349), allocating P75 billion for its first five years of implementation.
He said the Aquino administration has so far spent over P28 billion for the AFP modernization program, in contrast with the P33 billion spent for modernization in the 15 years before President Aquino’s term.
Del Rosario acknowledged that the Philippines can still increase the value of its defense spending through joint training and other agreed activities with its allies.
Balikatan supports the development of Philippine defense capabilities as well as the interoperability of Philippine and US military forces.
http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=6423&sid=1&subid=2
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