From the Business Mirror (Jun 24): AFP modernization to protect PHL’s territorial integrity
The government should ensure the successful implementation of the revised Armed Forces modernization program in view of the country's territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, a senator said on Monday.
Angara made the statement at the awarding ceremony of the 2013 University of the Philippines President Edgardo J. Angara (UP PEJA) Fellowship to Prof. Herman Joseph Kraft, executive director of the Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS).
The senator was among those who had shepherded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act of 1995, or Republic Act 7898 in the 9th Congress.
“The emphasis [of the original modernization act] was boosting the technology, mobility and communications of the Armed Forces. We hope to do it right this time, especially since we are on the verge of losing territory and our natural resources for lack of capability to protect them,” he said.
Angara, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the modernization program would continue with the Revised AFP Modernization Act or Republic Act 10349 signed in December 2012.
Kraft was awarded the UP PEJA fellowship to conduct a policy study on the modernization program of the AFP.
The UP Board of Regents established the UP PEJA Fellowship in 2008, which aims to recognize high-level research conducted by UP intellectuals and spur academic discussion on the country's development goals and policies.
The areas covered are science and technology; fiscal, budget and financial studies; agriculture and rural development; environment and climate change; and with the awarding to Kraft, national security.
“This topic rings true, especially today. I am happy that there is one who will look at the validity and efficacy of our second round of [Armed Forces] modernization,” Angara said.