AFP revisits arms upgrade program

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is modifying further its modernization program with a view to providing the military with the capabilities to protect the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or 200 nautical miles from its coast.

Meanwhile, the forging of a strategic partnership between Philippines and Australia recently has strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Monday.

Undergoing the changes is Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told reporters.

The reconfiguration, Brawner said, was in accordance to recommendations by  Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. shortly after taking over  the defense portfolio last June from then Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. who was reappointed as Presidential  Peace Adviser.

“When the SND (Secretary of National Defense) was appointed, he saw Horizon 3 and told us to revisit or in his words “rehorizon” it, Brawner said.

“So we looked at it and found out Horizon 3 was made prior to the events that happened (in the West Philippine Sea) such as the water cannoning and laser pointing. Parang ang focus nya was territorial defense in depth yun yung luma na strategy (So we looked at it, the original Horizon 3 was made prior to the events that happened, the water cannoning, laser pointing, His focus was like territorial defense in depth, that’s the old strategy,” Brawner added.

He was referring to the incidents  where the Chinese tried to interfere with Philippine resupply missions to its detachment aboard the BRP Sierra Madre which is keeping watch over Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Brawner pointed out that the original Horizon 3 was made with “territorial defense in depth” in mind, meaning the military has to wait for threats to happen before engaging them with the  “first, second, third, and fourth line of defense”.

“But this time because of what’s happening, proactive tayo. So sabi ni SND says we need to be proactive, and we project outwards our defenses,” Brawner said.

Under the modification, defensive efforts will focus on defending the Philippines’ EEZ and not only the