Because of present territorial threats involving the Philippines and neighboring Asian countries, it is but appropriate to upgrade the capabilities of our armed forces. Last year, we saw the growing threat of China who had repeatedly made incursions in our legitimate water boundaries, and it has not stopped in doing so.
A total of 15 upgrade projects including air assets and communication equipment were completed last year. Six of the projects were for the Army, while four for the Navy and three projects for the Air Force, also two for the general headquarters and AFP Wide Support and Separate Units. The project costs more than P18B and is expected to improve the security and disaster response capabilities of the military. This would definitely be a boost for the AFP by continuing to modernize the organization, taking it slowly but surely.
A strong armed forces will be able to fulfill its mandate to address internal security, territorial defense and respond to relief and rescue operations swiftly. This is no longer a dream for it already happened. – L. J. Millar, Cagayan de Oro City