Military notes PHL defense readiness on contested waters

From the Business Mirror (Dec 21): Military notes PHL defense readiness on contested waters

THE military believes it can parry off any security threat in the West Philippine Sea, even the one coming from China, with the list of assets and equipment that it is currently procuring.

Navy Vice Commander Rear Adm. Caesar Taccad said they are capable of defending the country’s stakes in the disputed territory, even while the Philippines is not in the level of China militarily and even with the armies of its neighbors.

He said the credible deterrent force would even be boosted once the Navy would have its complete share out of the ongoing modernization program of the military, like the two frigates and several antisubmarine helicopters.

The frigates, which are to be sourced out from South Korea; and the antisubmarine helicopters, would hopefully be delivered next year, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang.

Taccad said the credible defense posture, coupled by the military strategy that they are putting up in the West Philippine Sea, should at least make them on a par with China in the disputed territory.

“In the West Philippine Sea, yes we could catch up in the sense that we can attain the desired level that we can provide the necessary deterrence,” Taccad said last week.

“You don’t need to overtake their capability. You just need to be able to approximate their capability and be able to proficiently use such capability in the sense that you will be able to hurt [them] where it [would] hurt most,” he added.

While the Navy vice commander did not mention China, he was obviously referring to Beijing, which former President Fidel Ramos referred to as a “bully” during the 79th anniversary celebrations of the AFP last week. Credible defense posture is what Catapang is pushing for the military, citing their mandate to defend the country’s territory and their necessity to meet and respond to evolving regional threats and security challenges. “In the middle of an evolving regional security architecture that is increasingly volatile and uncertain, it is imperative for the AFP to develop its territorial defense capability,” Catapang said.

“It is important that we adjust our defense structures and synchronize our systems and processes in order to shape an Armed Force capable of providing a credible defense posture,” he added. Taccad admitted the security challenge in the West Philippine Sea hastened the modernization of the military, given China’s activities in the area.

“It is our mandate to protect our territory and, of course, safeguard our sovereignty.
“The events in the West Philippine Sea actually did gave some urgency to the acquisition,” he said.

“For us, it is already urgent before, but because of the event there, it became more urgent for the Filipinos and, of course, for the country,” he added.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/military-notes-phl-defense-readiness-on-contested-waters/