The military capability of the Philippines is among the weakest in the region, Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. admitted Monday at a congressional hearing.
Lawmakers also expressed dismay over what they viewed as the failure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prevent China from building structures in the West Philippine Sea.
“I would not say that we are a push-over. Admittedly, our military capability is one of the weakest in the region. It is exactly why we are trying to modernize right now,” Faustino told the House committee on national defense.
“We are trying to strengthen our position… we align with our treaty partners, allies, like-minded countries. We would like to have a rules-based international order in those areas,” he told legislators.
Faustino made the statements upon questioning from Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on the building structures in the West Philippine Sea like what China constructed in the disputed waterway.
“How did China build a military facility? Don’t we have intelligence funds? Isn’t that part of your intelligence functions? Because that base was not built in just a day,” Barbers asked.
Faustino replied: “We are very careful in dealing with this using military action because we might be subjecting ourselves to mistakes and miscalculations… But rest assured, the constructions, we were aware of it. There were hundreds of diplomatic protests.”
Barbers responded: “The best way is to show them that we are no push-over.”
Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores also shared Barbers’ concern.
“There seems to be so much development going on in the islands that we claim… Is it because we’re like a pushover when it comes to defending our claims in that area? Was there anything that could have been done to prevent such a thing?”
Faustino also cited the need for the government to continuously pursue the AFP’s modernization program.
And to help raise funds for such, Faustino said the Armed Forces is open to entering into a joint venture in using idle military lands but stressed that “the properties will not be sold.”
He assured the public that the military will continue to conduct patrols and maintain a presence in the disputed waters with its available resources.
“We are open for a joint venture. Definitely, we’re not selling it,” Faustino said in support of the position of the committee chairperson, Iloilo Rep. Raul Tupas.
“There are measures filed to utilize idle military lands to raise additional funds for the modernization program. Not necessarily to dispose these properties, but probably for a joint venture,” Tupas said.
Of the Philippine Air Force’s 12 S.211 jet trainers, only four are operational, according to Maj. Gen. Fernyl Buca, while only half of PAF’s 12 FA-50 fighters are working.
