MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday signed a law that seeks to strengthen the Philippines’ self-reliant defense posture and to develop the local defense industry, a measure that he said would support the country’s needs in the face of volatilities and evolving threats.
The Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act or Republic Act 12024 aims to promote and spur the growth of an independent national defense through a program that will develop the Philippines’ national defense capabilities.
The program involves the development of a local defense industry through partnerships between the government and private manufacturers to achieve domestic production capability for weapons and other defense materiel for the military.
It is designed to support policies, research, maintenance and installments while crafting strategies to boost production competitiveness and actively lobbying for more effective defense policies.
“With the signing of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, we are anchoring our defense strategy firmly in the strength of our own resources and capabilities,” Marcos said during the signing ceremony at Malacañang.
The President said the Philippines’ defense capabilities have relied upon what it could acquire from abroad for decades.
He pointed out that every purchase, negotiation and partnership was a reminder that the country’s strength depended on the supply chains and interests of other parties.
According to him, the self-reliant defense posture program, which was implemented under his father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was a call to tap into the country’s own resources and capabilities.
Marcos said the program successfully met the basic materiel requirements of the military in the early years as the country was able to manufacture ammunition, mobility equipment and tactical communication sets; produce vehicles from jeeps to boats and supply the armed forces’ clothing requirements.
AFP, DND laud law
Both the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lauded and welcomed yesterday the signing into law of the SRDP Revitalization Act.
DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said that the revitalization of the country’s SRDP Program aims to develop and establish an independent and dynamic defense system that relies on the country’s own capabilities and resources to support the weapon and materiel requirements of the AFP and other law enforcement agencies.
“The SRDP law represents a structured and innovative approach to defense development, focusing on enhancing the Philippines’ research and production capabilities. It aligns closely with the country’s strategic objectives, ensuring that defense systems are not only modernized but also tailored to meet dynamic security landscape,” added AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, principal author and co-sponsor of the SRDP Act, yesterday expressed his confidence that the new law would fortify the country’s defense capabilities while reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers.
“This will be a great boon both for our defense forces and for our economy. It lays the foundation for a strong, self-reliant defense industry. We can now start manufacturing our own defense equipment instead of merely buying from other nations,” Zubiri said.
He highlighted the necessity of building a self-reliant defense system, especially in light of potential geopolitical challenges that could disrupt the supply of military equipment.
“What if there’s a war, if there’s a breakdown and suddenly we can’t buy from them anymore? How can we defend ourselves?” Zubiri pointed out. “We need to build our own, to arm our own.”
“We have great Filipino minds, skilled professionals who can drive the growth of our local defense sector,” he concluded. — Cecille Suerte Felipe