AFP modernization is DND main agenda not EDCA -- Defense official

From the Philippine News Agency (May 8): AFP modernization is DND main agenda not EDCA -- Defense official

The modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can benefit from the primary features of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) through the prepositioning of US military equipment and construction of facilities in Philippine military bases.

Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, chairperson of the Philippine negotiating panel for EDCA, said that while EDCA will address the short-term capability gaps of the AFP, the modernization program is the Department of National Defense (DND)’s main agenda not EDCA.

After 15-16 years of joint training exercises under Balikatan between the Philippines and the US, the EDCA was signed to strengthen existing treaties between the two countries -– the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) -– and to institutionalize joint military and defense activities.

While there is prepositioning of US military equipment and construction of facilities under EDCA, Batino said “EDCA is not the primary program of the Department of Defense (DND), it is its own Armed Forces Modernization program.”

He said the AFP modernization program is designed to develop a technologically advanced defense system for the Philippines.

“Through the AFP Modernization program, we would want to achieve a credible defense posture soonest,” Batino said.

With President Benigno S. Aquino III and Congressional support, at least 75 billion pesos was allocated to the first five years of the AFP modernization program.

A comprehensive plan is being done by the AFP and DND for the procurement of modern defense equipment with the said budget in mind.

”This is the Philippine government’s way of implementing the principle of self-help and we must rely with ourselves primarily,” Batino said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=641748