PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. proposes to increase the 2024 modernization funds to meet the needs of the military in protecting the country.
In a press conference held at the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on August 10, Gen. Brawner said the AFP’s modernization fund costs P27 billion for this year, which according to Brawner is insufficient to pay for ships the Philippines previously purchased.
“Nasa P27 billion ang para sa modernization funds natin ngayong taon, pero kulang pa ito sa pambayad sa multi-year contracts natin, multi-year payment dahil kapag bumili ka ng isang barko, hindi lang one-year mong babayaran ‘yon, it spreads out, mga five years ganun po, kaya ‘yong P27B na ‘yon ay pambayad lamang ng ating utang, so we need more para madagdagan po yung ating mga barko, mga eroplano, we need more modernization funds,” stated Gen. Brawner.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., accompanied by the WESCOM soldiers march to the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City on August 10, 2023. (Photo by Orlan Jabagat/PIA Palawan)
Moreover, the General said that once the increase in modernization funds is approved for 2024, the AFP will allocate for ships and a submarine.
“Tulad nga ng nabanggit ko about the modernization, definitely kailangan natin ng mas malaking pondo para sa modernization natin dahil bibili tayo ng mas maraming mga barko and kung kaya ng ating pera, gusto nating bumili ng submarine, halos sa ASEAN region tayo nalang ang bansa sa walang submarine,” added Gen. Brawner.
“We need more ships, we need more aircraft, we need more air defense system, we need more drones. Ang dami nating kailangan so sana po ay matulungan tayo ng ating gobyerno at hindi lamang ng ating gobyerno, even the private sector can help in this aspect.”
Additionally, Gen. Brawner stated that the AFP not only focuses on the Ayungin Shoal and BRP Sierra Madre but also looks out for the West Philippine Sea.
“Kailangan talaga natin na palakasin pa ‘yong ating presence sa WPS, and this would entail more funds, kaya’t talagang humihingi rin kami sa Kongreso natin na madagdagan ang pondo, dito sa West Philippine Sea” ayon kay Gen. Brawner. Definitely we have plans to deploy more ships and more even ‘yong mga aircraft natin para mabantayan natin ang ating Exclusive Economic Zone, so, hindi lamang po yong pagbantay dito but really we have to establish our presence in the area,” the General said. (OCJ/GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)
