The continuation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) Modernization Program will give more focus on platforms that can be used
to address the country's internal security threats.
This was stressed by incoming AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen.
Ricardo Visaya Thursday.
"(President-elect Rodrigo Duterte) would like to start
by improving and updating equipment use for internal security operations so he
will prioritize the acquisition of modern helicopters and fastcrafts, with
nightfighting capabilities," he added.
Such platforms are useful in dealing with the country's
ongoing campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and New People's Army
threats.
Visaya said acquisition of such equipment are included in
the AFP Modernization Program as emphasized by the procurement of the
night-capable AgustaWestland AW-109 attack helicopters of the Navy and Air
Force.
The lack of night-capable helicopters and fastcrafts,
according to the incoming AFP chief, hampered the military response when the
ASG attacked Samal Island and kidnapped Canadians John Ridsel, Robert
Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Hall's girlfriend Marites Flor last
during their Sept. 21 attack on a posh resort in Samal Island
Ridsel was beheaded last April 25 while Hall was executed
last June 13 after the Philippine and Canadian governments snubbed the ASG
ransom demand amounting to around PHP600 million for the two Canadians.
Visaya also clarified that acquisition of equipment that
will beefed up the external capabilities of the AFP will continue as part of
the ongoing modernization program.
"It (modernization program) will continue, but items
needed for internal security operations will be prioritize," he said in
Filipino.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=897933
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