Defense system is a must, says solon

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 25): Defense system is a must, says solon

In the wake of the growing security threats in the West Philippine Sea, a lawmaker has stressed the urgency of strengthening the country’s national security.

Camarines Sur Rep. Felix William B. Fuentebella is urging Congress to address the looming challenges to the security of the country by acting promptly on HB 5865 which seeks to upgrade the nation’s defense system anchored on the capabilities of the country’s armed forces and police forces.

HB 5865 is entitled “An Act Strengthening the National Security of the Philippines, and appropriating funds therefor,” pending with the House Committee on National Defense and Security chaired by Rep. Rodolfo G. Biazon of Muntinlupa City since June 9, 2015.

“This measure intends to provide the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police with improved capabilities in manpower, equipment and facilities to better address the assessed threats on the country’s defense and security, both internal and external,” Fuentebella pointed out.

The Bicol lawmaker explained that the enhancement f the manpower and logistic capability of the AFP and the PNP is needed to ensure sustained law enforcement, public security, and internal security operations, and the security of the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

“The importance of an enhanced coordination mechanism between the AFP and the PNP also needs to be emphasized to ensure the success of operations on the field and to institutionalize inter-operability between them including the use of compatible communications equipment,” he added.

The defense of the State, Fuentebella stressed, is the concern of all the people and not only of the government, the young lawmaker stressed, adding that every citizen must be ready to answer the call of (duty) the government to assist in the defense of the country.

To this end, he explained that the National Service Training Program as established under R.A. 9163, also known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001,” should be modified by changing the service components into more relevant components suitable to the needs of the country.

Under the Constitution, the President of the Philippines is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and as Chief Executive, the President shall exercise control and supervision over all police forces through the National Police Commission.

HB 5863 proposes that the NSTP will now consist of the following service components: 1) Reserve Officers’ Training Service; 2) Enlisted Reservists’ Training Service; 3) Disaster Preparedness Training Service; and 4) Humanitarian Aid and Other Assistance Training Service.

Under the proposal, Fuentebella said, State-run universities and colleges will be required to offer the Reserve Officers’ Training Service and the Enlisted Reservists’ Training Service to all their students who will also be granted preference in joining the AFP and PNP subject to other requirements of existing laws, rules and regulations.

The measure provides for a budgetary support annual General Appropriations Act for each of the AFP and PNP in the amount not less than one percent of the total national budget which will be administered by the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, respectively, he said.

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