http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100305-256828/Teodoro-AFP-modernization-wont-happen-in-6-years
MANILA, Philippines – Even if he wins the presidency in the May elections, administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro acknowledged that the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines would not come under this term because of budgetary constraints.
In a tete-a-tete with defense reporters Friday, the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats standard-bearer made a clean breast of the condition of the country’s defense establishment that he used to head.
“Palagay ko hindi, realistically speaking (I don’t think so, realistically speaking),” he said when asked if a modernized military can be expected during his term if he wins the May 2010 elections.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is only undertaking what he calls a “capability upgrade” since it is still focused on internal security matters.
“Internal security ba tayo, or external, iyon ang question, we have to think ano ang mission natin (Are we for internal security or external, that’s the question, we have to think what our mission is),” Teodoro said.
“Kung internal security ang prime mission natin, capability upgrade lang tayo, mauubos ang resources natin kasi sa capability upgrade. Sa internal security, tao ang kailangan mo hindi external defense equipment (If internal security is our prime mission, we can only do capability upgrade, our sources will be depleted because of capability upgrade. In internal security, you need manpower not external defense equipment),” he explained.
Teodoro said he is for the amendment of Republic Act 8551 (Internal Security Act) that would turn over to the police the task of internal security.
However, the presidential aspirant admitted that the PNP is still not capable of handling the internal security matters, adding that the police force needed its own upgrade program.
MANILA, Philippines – Even if he wins the presidency in the May elections, administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro acknowledged that the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines would not come under this term because of budgetary constraints.
In a tete-a-tete with defense reporters Friday, the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats standard-bearer made a clean breast of the condition of the country’s defense establishment that he used to head.
“Palagay ko hindi, realistically speaking (I don’t think so, realistically speaking),” he said when asked if a modernized military can be expected during his term if he wins the May 2010 elections.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is only undertaking what he calls a “capability upgrade” since it is still focused on internal security matters.
“Internal security ba tayo, or external, iyon ang question, we have to think ano ang mission natin (Are we for internal security or external, that’s the question, we have to think what our mission is),” Teodoro said.
“Kung internal security ang prime mission natin, capability upgrade lang tayo, mauubos ang resources natin kasi sa capability upgrade. Sa internal security, tao ang kailangan mo hindi external defense equipment (If internal security is our prime mission, we can only do capability upgrade, our sources will be depleted because of capability upgrade. In internal security, you need manpower not external defense equipment),” he explained.
Teodoro said he is for the amendment of Republic Act 8551 (Internal Security Act) that would turn over to the police the task of internal security.
However, the presidential aspirant admitted that the PNP is still not capable of handling the internal security matters, adding that the police force needed its own upgrade program.
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