CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) considers the United States’ pledge to support the military’s defense capability as very timely since it has already gained headways in its continuous capability upgrade program.
Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton visited the country to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). She said the US vows to always stand and fight with the Philippines to help the country achieve its development goals and address its security concerns.
The military welcomes the United States’ pledge of support in ensuring that the AFP and the US Armed Forces’ collective defense facility and infrastructure are equipped and materially proficient to deter internal, as well as external aggression.
“Sure enough, this will complement our maritime and interdiction operations in the West Philippine Sea. We will accompany this move by continuously implementing our capability upgrade program. In fact, we are already expecting deliverables late this year and the coming year,” said AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr.
For the Philippine Air Force, the AFP is expecting 20 units of MG520 helicopters Upgrade, 4 Combat Utility helicopter and one Aerial Recon Camera; for the Philippine Army: 62 Civil Military Operations Audio/Visual Systems and for the Navy: one Landing Craft Utility (LCU), three Multi- Purpose Attack Craft, three Jacinto Class Patrol Vessel Upgrade (Weapons System), twenty units of 2 ½ - ton Truck Troop Carrier, 20 units of 1 ¼ - ton Truck troop Carrier, 105 units of 20-watts Radio (Vehicle).
The Deliverables for year 2012 are as follows: for the Philippine Air Force: four Combat Utility Helicopters and six UH-1H Helicopter Acquisition (Refurbished). For the Philippine Navy: two Coast Watch Station Upgrade. For the Philippine Army, one lot C41/GIS, 335 units of Rocket Launcher Light and 100 units of 81-milimiter Mortars.
“We are both enhancing further our presence and continuously improving our coast watch system to suffice the security and monitoring requirements particularly in the West Philippine Sea. Also, our recently acquired US Hamilton Class Cutter ship, now the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar will be deployed to the West Philippine Sea once it is commissioned at the end of the month, to augment our forces already deployed in the area,” said Oban.
A US official traveling with Clinton also pronounced that the US will continue its assistance in Southern Mindanao, but will be focusing more on the reinforcement of the naval capabilities and other aspects of expeditionary military command.
“The US Armed Forces’ assistance to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the region will help the military more in fast-tracking its operations of totally decimating these lawless and terrorist elements in a less-extensive time,” Oban said.
This partnership between the Philippines and U.S. Armed Forces affirms the long standing defense cooperation to beneficially assist both military organizations.
“We will make sure that together, we will work hand in hand to mutually grow in aiding each other as we continue our commitment to train, share information and provide support to our defense organization,” Oban stressed.
The partnership between the two countries’ military organizations remains healthy, dynamic and beneficial. It continues to highlight the unswerving commitment of both countries’ security forces towards a more secure Asia-Pacific region.