Securing PH sovereignty calls for self-reliance in defense – Zubiri | Inquirer News

Securing PH sovereignty calls for self-reliance in defense – Zubiri

/ 12:31 AM August 08, 2023

It’s time for the Philippines to strive for a more self-reliant defense posture, particularly by building a local arms industry, especially with the growing concern for securing the country’s sovereignty, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Monday.

“While we value our defense cooperation with our foreign allies, we cannot afford to rely on them entirely,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on  Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. This file photo shows  American F-16 fighter jets, with a military chopper in the foreground, awaiting orders to take off at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, for the revived “Cope Thunder” exercises between US and Philippine air forces.  (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — It’s time for the Philippines to strive for a more self-reliant defense posture, particularly by building a local arms industry, especially with the growing concern for securing the country’s sovereignty, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Monday.

Zubiri made this remark in his opening speech at the hearing of the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation on bills seeking to enhance the capability and streamline the Department of National Defense and its bureaus.

Article continues after this advertisement

Over-reliance on our allies leaves us on the back foot — always waiting, and always dependent on what they will supply us with,” Zubiri said.

FEATURED STORIES

Citing what happened in the siege of Marawi in 2017, Zubiri said that the Philippines had to “almost beg” other countries to give Filipino soldiers weapons and ammunition.

“I don’t want that scenario to happen again, where our President had to go around to several countries to ask for ammunition and weapons for our countrymen who were risking their lives for our democracy. Our brave men and women of the Armed Forces deserve more — and deserve better,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

According to Zubiri, the Philippines is among the top importers of firearms in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, spending $338 million in arms imports in 2021 alone.

Article continues after this advertisement

“A closer comparison would be Indonesia, which in 2021 allocated 3.9 percent of its overall government spending towards military expenditure — not far from the 3.8 percent that we directed towards the military. And yet Indonesia’s arms imports came in at only $68 million USD, a far cry from our $338 million,” Zubiri pointed out.

Article continues after this advertisement

According to him, this means that Indonesia’s manufacturing industry is big on arms and armaments so the country only imports a small amount.

This prompted the senator to stress the need for the Philippines to be able to “produce its own needs on its own time,”

Article continues after this advertisement

“We have the resources. We have the manpower — and the skills. And I am quite hopeful that we also now have the political will to push this through. We discussed this with the President, and he is really very keen on coming up with our own defense industry,” he said.

Zubiri vowed to address the remaining gaps in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, committing to increasing its budget.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

He added that the Senate, working with the Marcos administration, would look into the future of the Philippines’ overall defense strategy.

RELATED STORIES

Bongbong Marcos: AFP modernization to continue ‘to address present dangers’ PH is facing

Zubiri to push for AFP modernization in meeting with DBM

ATM
TAGS: AFP Modernization Program, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of National Defense, Juan Miguel Zubiri

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.