Sen. Panfilo Lacson (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will have to strengthen its Navy, not in the form of additional troops, by acquiring more advanced equipment in the wake of the growing external threat in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and the heightened tension in Europe due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Tuesday.
In an interview with reporters in Quezon province, Lacson said the Armed Forces of the Philippines should now shift its focus from beefing up the Philippine Army to modernizing the Philippine Navy as well as the Philippine Air Force, to protect the country’s territory and potential resources in the WPS.
“We now have to strengthen our Philippine Navy, not through more personnel but in terms of enhancing the troops’ technical skills. The Navy officers must adjust to the modern weapons, like missiles and our Navy warships,” he said.
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