September 29, 2012, The Philippine Star, Editorial, Extending modernization,

September 29, 2012, The Philippine Star, Editorial, Extending modernization,

The extension of the modernization program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines appears certain, with the House of Representatives approving yesterday the bicameral conference committee report on the measure. The approval follows the ratification by the Senate of the reconciled version.

The amendment of Republic Act 7898 or the AFP Modernization Act extends the program by 15 years and allocates at least P75 billion as funding for the first five years. President Aquino may want to take a closer look at the measure once it reaches his desk for enactment. Among the significant provisions is the exemption from public bidding of the acquisition of aircraft, ships, tanks, armored vehicles, communication equipment and ammunition for the exclusive use of the AFP.

After the scandal over the procurement of Israeli-made rifles for the Philippine National Police, extra care should be taken in the acquisition of military and police equipment. For the administration of daang matuwid or straight path, the bar for transparency and accountability is set high by the public. If big-ticket AFP purchases will be exempted from public bidding, Malacañang must make sure there are safeguards in place to ensure that every acquisition will be aboveboard.

Corruption scandals have set back the AFP’s modernization program. The consequences are now being felt as the weakness of the nation’s self-defense capability becomes evident in its territorial dispute with China. The Philippines cannot simply entrust national defense to the United States; America has its own interests to protect, and problems to confront.

Security officials are aiming for a modest military upgrade, hoping to achieve minimum credible defense capability. That is still going to cost a lot more than P75 billion over five years, considering the capabilities of other armed forces in the region. Procurement priorities must be carefully identified and the limited funds spent judiciously. The AFP has a stake in seeing all the deals for its modernization untainted by anomalies. When the modernization program becomes mired in corruption scandals, the biggest loser is the AFP. - (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)