AFP says self-reliant defense posture law is ‘step in right direction’

Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson of Armed Forces of the Philippines, speaks to the members of the media during an AFP press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City in this file photo taken on August 20, 2024. INQUIRER.net file photo / ARNEL TACSON

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act is a “step in the right direction.”

Col. Francel Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said in a briefing on Tuesday in a mix of English and Filipino, “This solidifies our zeal toward having this capability internally. This will enhance the indigenous materials that we have.”

READ: Modern tech for AFP is priority in our self-reliant defense posture – DND

The law mandating the Department of National Defense (DND) to create a program to prioritize sourcing materials locally for defense equipment production will better suit the needs of the Philippine setting, Padilla added.

The Armed Forces spokesperson continued, “By fortifying our self-reliant defense capabilities with this law, the AFP remains steadfast in our commitment to national security ensuring the Philippines’ ability to defend ourselves with minimal reliance on foreign support.”

The SRDP Act, aiming to bolster the country’s defense industry, exempts local companies from taxes on imported supplies that cannot be locally sourced and laxes their requirements to sell products to the DND.

READ: Marcos signs law to boost ‘self-reliant’ PH defense posture

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the SRDP Act into law on Tuesday morning.