The Philippine government proposes to increase the budget of both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Their allocations are slated to rise 24.6% and 15% respectively in 2017 compared to last year.
If the 2017 budget is approved by the bicameral legislature later this year, the AFP’s funding will rise to PHP130.6 billion (US$2.8 billion). The figures were published by the Department of Budget and Management (DMB) on 15 August.
However, it is quite possible that this figure might be pruned by the budget ratification process.
The increases are ostensibly due to the administration’s war against crime, drugs and terrorism. At the same time, the AFP needs to boost its maritime security capability, particularly in the South China Sea where China has aggressively reclaimed islands and built military bases.
The lion’s share of the budget will go to the Philippine Army with PHP56.88 billion. The Philippine Navy (PN) will receive PHP20.59 billion and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) PHP18.9 billion.
Personnel expenses (PHP31.4 billion) make up a significant share of the AFP budget.
Some PHP25 billion will go to an equipment modernisation programme ‘to give our soldiers more weapons and equipment’, according to President Rodrigo Duterte in his budget speech.
This would make it the second year in a row that this level of funding for equipment has been achieved, with the goal of fulfilling a five-year plan to invest PHP82 billion on modernisation.
High on the wish list are two surveillance aircraft and six close air support planes for the PAF that could be employed to fight terrorists in Mindanao in the far south of the country. The country is also on the verge of signing a contract for two new frigates for the PN with Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.
Considerable funds also need to be set aside for future instalments to pay for 12 FA-50 light fighters ordered from Korea Aerospace Industries in South Korea. The first pair of aircraft are already in service.
The Government Arsenal, which makes ammunition and refurbishes weapons, will also benefit from PHP1.21 billion of funding.
The AFP has been attempting to transform its focus onto external territorial defence of the Philippines, but a recent resurgence of fighting in the southern Philippines is diverting attention and resources.
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/adas-2016-proposed-hike-philippine-defence-budget/
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