EDITORIAL - If we must arm, let us arm wisely

The standoff with China over the Scarborough Shoal has brought to the fore the problem of the Philippines having a military capability that is an embarrassment compared to the rest of its neighbors in the region.

The solution is obvious — the Philippines needs to beef up its military, not to match the might of the Chinese military as if we are really girding for war with that nation, but in a way that not only makes us no pushover but helps us keep our dignity as well.

To go in that direction, however, would need a hefty budget from our meager resources. Nevertheless, it is a direction we will have to eventually follow, if not now then sometime in the very near future.

All things considered, however, it is best to do it now than wait until either we can no longer afford to do so or, worse, it is already too late. A word of caution, though, about proceeding now, especially since some people in government appear to have already made some choices.

Look, if we have to arm ourselves, let us go for the best we can afford. Remember, we are only after deterrence and self-respect, not necessarily to go to war. Thus, a few top-of-the-line assets would be preferable than more assets that our neighbors will only sneeze at.

If your neighbors have even just two or three Armalites or AK-47s, buying three dozen pocket knives will not make any difference. In other words, what is the point in buying a dozen South Korean T-50s when your neighbors have F-14s, F-15s, F-16s and F-18s?

These latter fighter jets are in fact already obsolete by American standards, but they still pack the kind of wallop that neighbors in the region will have to think of really hard first before trying to test the limits of our nerves.

But South Korean T-50s? Why, model planes look more menacing. Leftist partylist congressman Teodoro Casiño, who does not want to buy any planes at all, is right for an entirely different reason — such a purchase only opens us up to corruption. Why buy a T-50 unless....?