Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana hopes the next Department of National Defense chief will continue the top projects of the DND.
“Of course, ang dapat ituloy ‘yung mga proyekto talaga para sa kasiguraduhan or safety or security—ang pagtugis sa mga komunista o Communist Party of the Philippines, NPA, at saka mga terrorista dyan sa Mindanao,” Lorenzana told Super Radyo dzBB.
(Of course, the projects that must be pursued are for safety or security — the pursuit of the communists or the Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA, and then the terrorists in Mindanao.)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Army Colonel Ramon Zagala declared in December 2021 that the left-and-right-hand technique adopted against local terrorist groups had “greatly weakened” them. The Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), Daulah Islamiya (DI), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and Abu Sayyaf Group were among these groups (ASG).
The National Defense head also stated that he expects the AFP modernization initiative to advance under the new administration.
Next National Defense chief should continue AFP modernization – Lorenzana
“Pangalawa, pagpatuloy ‘yung modernization ng ating Armed Forces, especially yung Navy at saka yung Air Forces para mapangalagaan ang ating maritime domain, ‘yung ating karagatan kasama ang karagatan natin dito sa loob ‘yung tinatawag nating exclusive economic zone at saka ‘yung sovereign rights,” he added.
(Second, the continuation of the modernization of our Armed Forces, especially the Navy and then the Air Forces to protect our maritime domain, our ocean with our ocean here inside what we call the exclusive economic zone and then the sovereign rights.)
Lorenzana previously stated that money for the maintenance of new military assets would be difficult for the future administration, implying that top military and government leaders would have to persuade Congress to appropriate the necessary funds.
In April, the National Defense chief stated that money could be a concern when the modernization program moves into its “Horizon 3” phase, in which more sophisticated equipment, including fighter planes and submarines, will be acquired.
The Philippine Navy had expressed hope that the next administration would continue the AFP Modernization Program because law mandates it.
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