With or without conflict, President Aquino is determined to modernize AFP --Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): With or without conflict, President Aquino is determined to modernize AFP --Palace official

The Aquino administration’s efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has nothing to do with the country’s sea dispute versus China, a Malacanang official said Saturday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, in an interview on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, said that it is mainly part of the AFP Modernization Plan.

“The President’s position has always been to strengthen our Armed Forces — para magkaroon ho tayo ng minimum credible defense posture,” Valte said.

“He (the President) really walks the talk in the sense that he funds the modernization program of the AFP,” she added.

It can be recalled that President Benigno S. Aquino III previously announced that about 63,000 new rifles will be issued to the AFP in April.

The President said that the AFP can expect modern boats, Sokol combat utility helicopters, navy helicopters, and other new vehicles in the future.

He also said that 12 lead-in fighter trainer aircraft are also to be purchased for territorial defense operations and to help the eight utility helicopters during search and rescue and disaster-relief missions.

Bidding for a twin-engine naval anti-submarine helicopter is also about to begin.

“...With or without conflict, nilalayon po natin talagang pagandahin ‘yung ating AFP,” Valte said. “Kasama po ‘yan doon sa nailatag nang AFP Modernization Plan.”

Conversely, talks on increased rotational presence of United States troops in the Philippines are ongoing, which Malacanang had earlier acknowledged as part of the country’s efforts to achieve minimum credible defense posture, particularly with the aggressive posturing of China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=628220