Just as important

China is sure to bristle at the country's plan to purchase two brand new frigates at the cost of a cool nine billion pesos each. Bidding will be open to several countries which have this kind of warship to offer, including South Korea, Spain and Singapore. This is a good decision as buying second hand ships would cost just as much to maintain and refit with modern weapons and equipment. But every time the country moves to beef up its military capability, China squawks. While they beef up their own Navy by planning to acquire a second aircraft carrier, they just cannot allow other countries to have any kind of capability to stand up against them, citing regional instability. When the country purchased its first Hamilton-class cutter, a second hand one, China immediately voiced their displeasure. We then got a second ship much to their chagrin. That second Hamilton-class is on its way.

We are also in talks with South Korea with regard to purchasing 12 fighters to supply a much needy Philippine Air Force. I also know of Japan leasing some fast boats to the country, as part of their effort to stem the military assertions of China over the region. All of these purchases and agreements to strengthen our military will surely get the attention, and the ire of China. With the US giving its support to the stability of the region, we can be assured of a lot of noise from Beijing.

They have already voiced their disagreement over the country's request at arbitration over the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, saying that the islands are theirs and cannot therefore be brought up for arbitration. Instead, they insist that countries "talk" it over themselves bilaterally. What this exactly means is anyone's guess. For what exactly is China's definition of "talks"?

Is it the setting up of buoys around Scarborough Shoal to prevent our fishermen from entering it? Is it the intimidation our fishermen have experienced whenever they get closer to the Shoal? Is it the clandestine flights over islands we have been occupying for so long? Is it the claim that all islands in the region are Chinese territories. Every move that China has made with regard to disputed islands involves its military, not diplomacy. We have seen them say one thing, and do another.

It is easy to say that money spent on military hardware should be used for other, more pressing things. I think it is being put to good use. For as long as biddings are not rigged, equipment not overpriced, contracts not "bulging" as Jun Lozada would put it, then it is money well spent. The AFP has lagged behind its Asian neighbors militarily, so it is time, especially in this administration, for it to rebuild its atrophic state. With the emergence of China as a superpower, aside from being a bully, all the more do we need whatever strength the military can give us. Protecting our territory is just as important as having a strong economy. All the more if the disputed lands are rich in resources that this country sorely needs.