BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are not meant to fuel tensions in the West Philippine Sea, President Benigno Aquino III clarified.
“I must emphasize: Our efforts to modernize the capabilities of our security sector is to address the needs in human disaster response and for our own internal defense,” Aquino said at the Asia Defense, Security and Crisis Management Exhibition 2014 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Tuesday.
The government has allocated at least P40 billion for military modernization.
“From Day 1, we have done everything in our power to give the Armed Forces the support it needs to perform its duties to the fullest – and to make sure that the risks in the battlefield are reduced to a bare minimum,” Aquino said.
Nearly 51,000 rifles will be distributed to military personnel this year.
Two of the 12 FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets will also be delivered next year, Aquino said.
“Apart from these, we are expecting 17 mote refurbished UH-1 helicopters, eight more combat utility helicopters, two long-range patrol aircrafts, six close-air support aircrafts, two anti-submarine helicopters, two frigates, and three full-missile capable multi-purpose attack crafts, that will strengthen the capabilities of our Armed Forces,” Aquino said./PN
