MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III trumpeted modernization projects for the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday at its 80th anniversary celebration, saying his administration accomplished more for the military than the three previous presidents combined.
"Ang tatlong naunang administrasyon sa atin, 45 proyektong ang naipatupad na may kabuuang halagang P31.75 billion. Sa inyong pakikiisa, nagawa nating tapatan at higitan 'yan," Aquino said.
He said 65 projects were completed under his watch, with a budget of P56.79 billion to beef up the military.
President Aquino speaks before the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga for its 80th anniversary on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015. Video courtesy of RTVMalacañang
The increasing defense budgets in the Aquino administration came amid the Philippines's rift with some its neighbors, the most aggressive of which is China, over features and maritime areas in the South China Sea.
China has built islands in portions of the South China Sea that the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea, some of which include apparently military facilities.
Aquino said no one can criticize his government for neglecting the Philippine armed forces, known as the weakest in Southeast Asia for decades.
"Siguro naman po malinaw na malinaw na magkakasama tayong umaangat sa kabanatang ito ng ating kasaysayan. Personal kong nakita kung paanong lalong lumakas at naging epektibo ang ating AFP sa paglilingkod ng ating kaayusan at stabilidad na susi para lalong lumakas ang kumpyansa ng iba na tumaya sa Pilipinas," he said. — with Efigenio Toledo IV