PH can deter hostile attacks due to stronger AFP modernization

MANILA – The ongoing modernization of the Philippine military has gone far in terms of ramping up the country's capability to thwart attacks or invasion attempts by hostile forces.

During Tuesday's pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Special "Resibo ng Serbisyo ng Pangulo" interview over state-run PTV, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military's modernization dates back to 1995 when their assets began to deteriorate after the closure of American military bases in the country.

"Hindi po natin pwedeng sabihin iyan para hindi alam ng ating mga competitors kung nasaan na tayo. But suffice to say, na kung mayroon pong gustong sumakop, mag-invade sa atin ay talagang lalaban po tayo at siguradong masusugatan sila (We cannot say that as we do not want our competitors to know where our program is exactly at. But suffice it to say, if anyone wants to invade us, we will fight and they will surely get hurt in the process)," the AFP chief said when asked about the exact progress of the AFP Modernization Program.

He said some of the fruits of the ongoing AFP Modernization Program are the FA-50PH light jet fighters and the various missile systems that were recently delivered and are now in service in the military, along with the various state-of-the-art naval vessels being used to patrol the West Philippine Sea.

Last month, Brawner also joined Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the launch of the BRP Miguel Malvar (FF-06), one of the Philippines' two guided missile corvettes built in South Korea.

The AFP Modernization Program is subdivided into three "horizons" aimed at acquiring weapons systems and platforms for external defense missions.

Horizon 1 was from 2013 to 2017; Horizon 2 from 2018 to 2022; and Horizon 3 from 2023 to 2028.

"Unang-una, kailangan nating i-modernize ang mga radar systems natin, mga surveillance systems, pati na rin mga sensors natin. And then pag na-develop ito, kailangan i-develop 'yung mga barko at mga aircraft natin na sasalubong. Let's say nagkaroon ng invasion, na-detect ng radar systems, kailangan salubungin ng defense natin (First, we have to modernize our radar and surveillance systems, also our sensors. Once these are developed, we must develop the ships and the aircraft. Let's say there is an invasion attempt and this was detected by our radar systems, our defense needs to intercept it). We have missile systems, pwede natin gamitin yan (we can use them)," Brawner said.

Without giving details, he said the AFP is looking to acquire more modern jet fighters to strengthen its defensive capabilities.

Brawner also cited the need to train personnel tasked to handle newly acquired assets to ensure their proper usage and maintenance.

He thanked the House of Representatives and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for their strong support for the AFP Modernization Program, considering that this initiative is capital-intensive.

He also lauded them for seeing the importance of a modern AFP, considering the Philippines' strategic location, which makes it a prime target for those interested in taking control of its waters.

"We really have to be able to present a deterrent factor. Kailangan po natin na ipakita na kayang-kaya natin depensahan iyong ating territory, iyong ating sovereignty and iyong sovereign rights natin (We need to show that we can defend our territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights)," Brawner said. (PNA)