Military facilities in WPS to be made more livable for troops

ARMED Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr yesterday said the military will further improve its facilities at Philippine-occupied features in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea this year.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo after a command conference, Brawner said these improvements will be pursued using funds from the General Appropriations Act of 2024 and Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program.

Brawner said the AFP Modernization Program’s Horizon 3 is yet to be approved by the President, saying the military is still “in the process of refining it further.”

“But the Horizon 3 of our modernization program will focus on the archipelagic defense concept. If that is our basis, it means we will focus on acquiring more ships, more aircraft, radars and we will also focus on developing the islands and the other features that we are occupying, for instance Pag-asa, Lawak and other features that we are occupying,” said Brawner.

Brawner later said the military will improve the facilities of the military at all the Philippine-occupied features — Kota, Lawak, Likas, Panata, Parola, and Patag islands; Rizal Reef; and Ayungin Shoal.

“We are trying to improve all. Yes, all, especially the islands we are occupying. The development of our facilities is actually continuing,” said Brawner.

Brawner could not say how much has been allocated to improve the military facilities in the West Philippine Sea.

“I don’t know the specifics but again, yearly, there are funds incorporated for the repair and maintenance of military facilities,” said Brawner.

‘MORE LIVABLE’

On the possible opposition of China, Brawner said: “We are emphasizing that the improvement of our facilities is part of the responsibility, part of the obligation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to take care of our soldiers.”

Brawner said the improvement of these facilities is nothing new, noting that similar efforts were undertaken in the past years.

“We are just trying to make them more livable, more habitable for our soldiers,” he said, adding the military is also providing additional equipment to soldiers assigned in these features like desalination machines, communication systems, and even rest and