EDITORIAL - For the commission of it

Former senator Ernesto Maceda is correct in saying all purchases made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines under its modernization program should be investigated. Writing in the Philippine Star, Maceda questioned in particular the planned purchase of two anti-submarine helicopters for P5.4 billion.

According to Maceda, those behind the planned purchase stand to gain P1.8 billion in commissions, using what he said was the standard 30 percent commission for such purchases. Besides, he said, the helicopters are virtually useless against the superior power of China, if that is the intention of the purchase.

We have always advocated for a credible armed force for the Philippines, not necessarily to wage war on anyone, or even as a successful deterrent in certain situations, but simply to allow ourselves some legitimate claim toward self-respect and national pride.

The armed forces of any country is always a showcase of its own value as a nation. Look at the hermit kingdom of North Korea. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. But a million-strong military allows it to enjoy respect, if grudgingly. And watching how its soldiers march already strikes fear in the heart.

Embarking on a modernization program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines does not necessarily mean we have to buy the most modern and expensive equipment. We do not need a military that is far superior than the rest. Dominance is neither our national policy nor in our national interest.

But we need a military that we can use for the very purpose that we have a military, with soldiers trained in accordance to our national needs, and equipment suitable for our purposes. And clearly, as Maceda pointed out, we do not have a crying need for an anti-submarine helicopter.

Jesus Christ, what do we need an anti-submarine helicopter for? Are we in imminent danger of going to war? And even if we are, why specifically an anti-submarine helicopter? Or as Maceda said, two? Why not fighter jets or, for that matter, simple attack helicopters?

Maybe the plan is not really to lend credibility to our armed forces, as buying the wrong equipment for the wrong purpose only tends to make us lose more credibility than we can gain. Maybe the real purpose, as Maceda suspects, is plainly to earn those commissions.