Aquino pledges a stronger, more capable military

Reuters/AFP/Clark Field, PhilippinesPhilippine President Benigno Aquino has vowed leave behind a stronger and a more capable armed forces to face maritime challenges in the South China Sea when he leaves office next year.Aquino, ineligible to run for re-election under the constitution, promised to spend about 83.90bn pesos ($1.77bn) in a five-year period until 2017 to strengthen the military as China asserts its claims to most of the waters.The spending plan was only approved this year, meaning the bulk of that money will be spent in coming months.“We’re planning to acquire new frigates, strategic sealift vessels, long-range patrol and close air support aircraft and other equipment,” Aquino said at the 80th anniversary of the armed forces.He did not mention the South China Sea dispute specifically, but the equipment has been earmarked by the military to defend Philippine territorial rights.“I have personally witnessed how the military grew stronger and more effective in preserving peace and stability, the key in building confidence in the Philippines.”The strategic sealift vessel, being built in an Indonesian shipyard, will be delivered early next year and the Israeli-made radar will be completed by 2017, the same time all the fighters from South Korea are delivered.He said that the United States and Japan were helping develop capacity and capability as “some countries” in Asia have been increasing defence spending amid rising tension in the South China Sea.China has overlapping claims with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei in the South China Sea, through which $5tn in ship-borne trade passes every year.The Philippines has challenged Beijing before the arbitration court in The Hague, a case Beijing has not recognised.Aquino said his government has already spent 56.79bn pesos since 2010, acquiring a squadron of light fighters from South Korea and combat helicopters from Italy.Washington has transferred two former coast guard cutters and transport planes to the Philippines.The military has an ambitious 15-year modernisation plan to spend about 998bn pesos, acquiring frigates, submarines, advanced missile system, and radars to put the country at par with its Southeast Asian neighbours.Aquino said the 56.79bn pesos spent was more than the sum spent by the three previous administrations.“Back then, because of lack of equipment, there was a soldier in a sensitive operation carrying a purple backpack from a fast food chain. I just don’t think a purple backpack is suited for an operation in the jungle,” he told assembled soldiers.The president cited the new equipment purchased in recent years including FA-50 jets, the country’s first supersonic fighter aircraft for a decade.He praised the military for performing difficult duties, singling out the Marines manning an outpost in the South China Sea to defend the Philippines’ claims there.