Military to pursue modernization plans to attain minimum credible defense, says Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): Military to pursue modernization plans to attain minimum credible defense, says Palace official

The Aquino administration will continue to adhere on strengthening the country's military to attain what it called minimum credible defense, a Palace official said on Saturday.

A security expert said China is strongly after the Ayungin Shoal (Thomas Shoal) all because it is after a bigger catch that is Recto Bank (Reed Bank).

"The President's position has always been to strengthen our Armed Forces -- para magkaroon tayo ng minimum credible defense posture," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

"So patuloy ang pagbibigay ng --- at least to this particular issue he really walks the talk, in the sense that he funds the modernization program of the AFP. Pinaglalaanan talaga ng administrasyong Aquino ng budget 'yung pagmodernisa ng ating Sandatahang Lakas," she added.

Former military officer, politician and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said in his blog that he believes China's next move is to seize and occupy the Ayungin Shoal, which would jeopardize the Philippines' Marine detachment there.

Golez said the Philippines must prepare for China's move on Ayungin in the event that its leadership adopts a military solution to their Ayungin objective.

Ayungin is part of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) that is claimed by China. It is 105 nautical miles from Rizal town in Palawan and is within the country's exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines maintains its presence in Ayungin through the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty ship that was purposely ran aground in 1999.

China warned the Philippines to abandon the shoal and prepare to face the consequences. Few weeks ago, the Chinese blocked two Philippine civilian ships that were supposed to deliver supplies to Filipino troops there.

The Philippines insists that Ayungin is part of its territory and maintains that it would continue to send supplies to its personnel there.

The country has been negotiating for an enhanced military cooperation with the US through an increased American military presence here aimed at protecting the country's interest in the West Philippine Sea.

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