AFP submits initial wish list for modernization

Representative Rodolfo Biazon. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, Representative Rodolfo Biazon, on Thursday said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has submitted an initial list of equipment it eyes to purchase for the military’s second modernization program amounting to P428 billion.

Biazon, a former AFP chief of staff, said the military has already planned its allocation to different divisions for the modernization fund’s first release worth P75 billion with more than a third going to each of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force.

The rest of the fund, he said, would go to the Philippine Army.

Biazon said that although the AFP modernization bill was able to hurdle discussions in his committee, the question now is where to source the funds for the necessary military equipment.

The bill is now pending at the House committee on appropriations for its funding requirement. Karen Boncocan