NSC urges Congress to support fast-tracked AFP modernization

The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday appealed to the Senate and the House of Representatives to support programs fast-tracking the modernization of the Philippine military.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the programs would allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fully focus on territorial defense amid the tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"We hope that Congress will continue to allocate the necessary funds to implement Horizon III of the Armed Forces modernization program which is critical in the implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept recently approved by the President," Año said in a statement.

“Filipinos are a people of peace but at the same time, we know how to stand up for what is right, and for what is ours.”

A recent OCTA survey found that 73% of Filipinos wanted the government to prioritize military action against threats to territory and sovereign rights.

The survey also found that 68% of respondents supported the AFP's modernization.

“Heeding our people's call, the Marcos... administration is determined to progressively build our defense capabilities to effectively deter any and every threat to our nation's peace and security," Año added.

In January, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had approved revisions for "Horizon 3" of the AFP modernization program.

“Next, we are embarking into what we call the ‘Rehorizoned 3’ capability enhancement and modernization program where the President recently approved an array of capabilities,” Teodoro said.

These would range from domain awareness, connectivity, intelligence capabilities of C4ISTAR communication, command and control, and deterrence capabilities in maritime and aerial domains.

In March, Teodoro said they had launched the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

“In plain language, we are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and EEZ in order to ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy the bounties of the natural resources that are rightfully ours within our domain,” he said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News