BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—Despite its scant resources, there is still a future for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. assured future soldiers during the 110th foundation anniversary of the Philippine Military Academy here on Saturday.

The government may have a limited capacity to give the military all that it needs, but this has not shaken the focus and drive of the soldiers in the field who have given a “spectacular” performance amid constant armed threats and natural calamities, said Teodoro in his speech.

“Given the current security situation in the country, I commend each and every member and civilian employee of the AFP for a spectacular performance given the odds we have to face [which] have also shown our real limitations,” he told PMA cadets.

“Be that as it may, we cannot deny there is a future for the AFP and that future must be planned for and worked on at this time,” he said.

Also a “very promising sign” for the AFP, Teodoro told reporters in a later interview, was Congress’ willingness to give it more resources now. Congress has so far granted his office’s request for an additional three battalions, he said.

Teodoro also said the military now had a “relatively well-trained” corps—men and women officers who were highly motivated and focused on their roles.

Will to fight

Their will to fight compensates for their lack of equipment, Teodoro had said in an earlier interview over ANC’s “Strictly Politics” program.

With AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano recently re-instituting the office of the deputy chief of staff for education and training, the military is paying extra attention to giving its members opportunities to improve their skills.

“Without that focus, we will never be able to plant seeds of competence, flexibility, adaptability that they need to face constant and changing threats in security, which the country may face in the future,” Teodoro said.

P1B for ammo, gas

He said he had asked the Department of Budget and Management to realign P1 billion in the current military budget for more ammunition and fuel to sustain combat operations in central Mindanao.

“We are realigning certain items because there are some capability projects that cannot be bid out this year,” Teodoro said.

The P1 billion was initially intended for the procurement of six night-capable attack helicopters. But the project was postponed for next year following irregularities in the bidding process as charged by a helicopter-manufacturing company.

“We will transfer the funds and this will continue until next year,” Teodoro said.