Urgent need to fund AFP modernization raised in Senate

From Update Philippines (Dec 1): Urgent need to fund AFP modernization raised in Senate

The urgency on funding the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was voiced out in Senate by Senator Dick Gordon during the deliberation on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).

Senator Gordon proposed a 15 percent allocation from the TRAIN collection with Senate approving 13 percent.

“This is something that we in Congress must pay attention to, every year, so we could really have some form of measure of protection for our country. In spite of the BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Act) Law, after 25 years there is no improvement in the military. There doesn’t seem to be any urgency on this matter. We have arguments with big nations around us,” he said.

He said the country must not rely on other nations for its security and defense.

“This is something that we in Congress must pay attention to every year so we could really have some measure of protection for our country. We cannot just rely on the donation of other country (such as M-16 from China, AK47 from Russia) Kailangan ipakita natin na tayo ay titindig at maglalagay tayo ng pera,” he said.

“We should really put in honest to goodness revenue-raising for the military. Every country that I know of – from America to Japan to every country in Europe, they have always put together something for their military,” he noted.

https://www.update.ph/2017/12/urgent-need-to-fund-afp-modernization-raised-in-senate/23055