AFP modernization
THE Philippines would do well to acquire submarines under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program.
Various quarters, including the ordinary citizens, said the military ought to have big-ticket naval assets, such as submarines, to help the country build a credible defense posture.
This, in the light of the territorial and maritime issues in the natural resources-rich West Phtilippine Sea (WPS), which is claimed almost entirely by the Chinese.
It will be recalled that the AFP Modernization Act, or Republic Act (RA) No. 7898, was enacted on February 23, 1995 by then President Fidel V. Ramos of Pangasinan.
As an archipelago, with thousands of islands comprising it, the Philippines needs warships, submarines and other naval assets to to be able to protect its citizens.
No less Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson, said that “these are very important assets that we have to acquire,” noting that “we are talking here of maritime zone law.”
In a statement, Colonel Aguilar said: “We have to increase our capability to conduct maritime domain awareness. We have to see what is happening to our environment.”
We also share his view that there is a need to have a radar system and other capabilities that will make sure that we have a 360 degree capability to know what is happening.”
Certainly, developing our capability to protect what is ours and our people is a move in the right direction that must be supported by the more than 110 million Filipinos.
