ARMED Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. wants at least one percent of next year’s national budget to be allocated for defense spending even as he admitted that the country’s military capabilities are no-match against the Chinese.
Catapang made the admission amid reports on China ’s ongoing reclamations in disputed
territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea )
Apparently reacting to the apparent military activities in
contested waters, he said, “I hope this is just like an [SM] Mall of Asia that
they are constructing but I think they have some military or defense purpose.
The Philippine military had noted that seven reclamations
are taking place in the conflict areas.
In a news briefing, Catapang showed aerial photos of the
ongoing reclamations, including two that are inside the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) of the Philippines
He did not say who took the photos, which were taken in
December last year and in February and March this year.
“So as [of] now we have monitored about seven reclamations
in the area but we are much more concerned [with] two specific areas [that are]
inside our exclusive economic zone.
These include the development that they [Chinese] would like
to do in Mischief Reef, also in Mabini Reef and Chigua Reef, all of these are
inside the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines
When asked if the AFP is not frustrated about not being able
to do anything to stopping China
He noted the need to increase military and defense
expenditures and suggested that if the country cannot raise them to two percent
of the gross national product (GNP), a law must be passed to allow the AFP
modernization to be secured for the next 15 years.
“What I am proposing is that at least one percent of the
national budget, approved national budget, will go [to] improvement of the
capabilities of our defense and military units, to include the OCD [Office of
Civil Defense] because we are fighting or facing also another global challenge,
which is global climate change,” Catapang said.
He, however, pointed out that the AFP is prepared to defend
the country, citing continuing naval patrols and troop supplies in the West Philippine Sea .
The AFP chief said it is now up to the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) to decide on what to do regarding the matter.
“Our job is just to know what is happening in the area and
it is up to our national leaders to give us the marching orders on what to do,”
he added.
“What we would like to highlight here is it’s not only the Philippines that should be concerned about
what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea
but entire nations or countries all over the world,” Catapang said.
According to the AFP chief, he is hoping that the Chinese
government will recognize the Philippine claim to areas in the disputed waters
so that no provocative actions will be taken against Filipino troops deployed
there.
http://www.manilatimes.net/military-badly-needs-more-money-afp-chief/173025/
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