Military's modernization a government priority, assures Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): Military's modernization a government priority, assures Palace official

The Aquino administration will remain focused on attaining a minimum credible defense position to protect the country’s sovereignty against both external and internal threats, a Palace official said Saturday.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Aquino government already accomplished a lot in modernizing the country’s police and military.

Lacierda’s statements came amidst some lawmakers' calls to increase the 2014 budget of the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police so these can better address external and internal threats.

He said the current thrust of government is modernizing the Philippine police and military.

“In only a span of three years, we have devoted a substantial amount of money towards modernizing our armed forces,” he said.

Under the AFP Modernization Law, the Aquino administration was able to acquire a Hamilton class cutter from the US — the BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

The navy is also awaiting arrival of another naval ship from the US.

The military also acquired several combat helicopters from Poland with the first four choppers now being used by the Air Force.

There are additional deliveries of more choppers as well as jet fighters most probably from South Korea.

“We are going to achieve what we have always maintained, what the President has always said — a minimum credible defense position - and if the lawmakers would wish to add to the budget of the AFP, again, we are going through a budget deliberation process,” Lacierda said.

“It is within the process itself as to their discretion how they would like to assist in further modernizing our forces.”

He further said if Congress wants to increase the budget for both military and the police, that'll be a great help to the country.

Adding any amount should be in the budget process and budget deliberations, he noted.

Modernizing the Philippine military is seen as a necessity for the country as tension is rising in the West Philippine Sea.

Other countries are also aggressively pursuing respective claims in that area.

Among territorial concerns of the Philippines are the alleged continuous patrols of China near shoals within the former's exclusive economic zone.

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