AMID growing national concern over the Philippines’ sovereignty, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri is pushing for the revitalization of the country’s self-reliant defense posture program and the establishment of a local defense industry that will supply the needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Zubiri said that the country could not afford to rely entirely on defense cooperation with foreign allies, saying over reliance on allies has left us on the backfoot and always waiting on what other allied countries will supply.

Zubiri further pointed out that the Philippines is one of the top importers of arms in Southeast Asia, spending at least $338 million in arms imports in 2021.

“Our brave men and women of the Armed Forces deserve more and they deserve better.

We need to be able to produce our own needs in our own time. We have the resources and we have the manpower and skills. I’m hopeful that we now have the political will to push this through,” Zubiri said Monday, August 7, 2023.

In the meantime, Zubiri said the Senate is keen on increasing the budget of the AFP.

Furthermore in the same hearing, Senator Jose Jinggoy Estrada emphasized the urgent need to bolster the country’s defense establishment to protect the state, its sovereignty, and its citizens.

As the presiding officer of the Committee on National Defense, he outlined specific measures to modernize the 1935 National Defense Act and revitalize the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program.

Estrada made it clear that the military upgrade is a necessary step to deter any potential threats without resorting to conflict or inciting aggression.

Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino cited salient provisions on proposed measures seeking to update the 1935 National Defense Act and revitalize the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP), which could effectively improve the country’s defense capabilities.

Tolentino particularly emphasized a provision making military service obligatory for all able-bodied citizens, which he said should be pursued.

He also highlighted the need to enhance research and development and the cybersecurity capabilities of the country, along with the Reserved Officer Training Corps. (ROTC).

Sen. Robinhood Padilla called for the institutionalization of mandatory participation of all citizens in national defense to supplement and provide support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines when needed; and the reinstatement of the phrase “imminent danger”, as a basis for martial law declaration in the Constitution.

AUTHOR PROFILE

PS Jun M. Sarmiento