Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia Purchases Missiles: Philippines’ P63B Military Budget a Mystery

Marines, members of a military detachment stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, take part in a flag ceremony on the ship, at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014. (REUTERS/Erik De Castro) Image credit mb.com.ph

05/08/2015 - Manila | Senator Francis Escudero wants the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense explain where and how the P63 billion military budget was spent. He is curios why the military is still in sorry state after the said huge amount was allocated for military modernization since 2002.

“Money for the modernization program has been in the AFP’s hands beginning 2002. We want to know how it was spent, where it was spent. We want to know what their procurement did to the force, how the military condition has changed,” the senator said.

“Why is our military still in a sorry state after P63 billion? With this money, we get to ask: is the Filipino soldier better off than before? Are our soldiers better equipped? Are they better trained? Is their inherent bravery boosted by more confidence in fighting with the purchased arsenals? The answers will show us where this modernization plan can and will take us,” Escudero added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was tasked to prepare an explanation before the next hearing.

The Philippines has the weakest military among its Asian neighbors according to globalsecurity.org.

Despite one of the fastest growing economy in Asia since 2014, the Philippine military is still in sorry state. An AFP spokesman yesterday asked the government to allocate at least 1% of annual Philippine budget to military and should increase every year according to news sources.

“The Philippines should be ready any time amid growing tensions on West Philippine Sea, and with the current state of our military, we will left annihilated if any engagement happens”, the spoke person said.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has just purchased submarine-launch land missiles that capable ot reaching mainland China according to the source.

Malaysia on the other hand has just purchased US missiles worth $21 million according to Asia-Pacific news portal.

Indonesia was reported to have acquired AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support estimated at US$47 million.

Although military option is the last resort to resolve the South China Sea dispute, a country that has a strong military has always the advantage and leverage. The Philippines is far and away compared to its Asian neighbors, the report said.