Bigger budget for AFP modernization mulled

MANILA, Philippines – A bigger budget for the Armed Forces of the Philippines is being considered for the second phase of its modernization after 2017.

“There is an estimate. It’s much higher than P90 billion,” said Fernando Manalo, the defense undersecretary for Finance, Munitions, Installations and Materiel, on Wednesday.

The second phase for military modernization is called by defense officials as “second horizon.”

The first horizon is between 2014 and 2017 where they are spending about P90 billion to buy assets for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, internal security operations and territorial defense.

There are 33 projects for the first phase which is currently implemented. It includes armored personnel carriers, lead-in fighter jets, frigates and amphibious vehicles.

The second horizon is between 2018 and 2023 while the third horizon will be from 2024 to 2028.

Manalo did not say what kind of assets would be acquired for the second phase, but hinted that it would be for disaster response and territorial defense in connection with the Philippines-China territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.