By Junex Doronio
REMINISCENT OF THE POPULAR FOLK SONG “COWARD OF THE COUNTY” and the “Kapag Puno Na Ang Salop” movie of the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has resolved to beef up its defense capabilities in the face of Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. disclosed that the Philippine Army (PA) is planning to acquire the Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile system which it would use to defend the country’s coastlines together with the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).
Once the PA’s acquisition proposal for the BrahMos cruise missile system is approved and funded, Brawner said this will be used for coastal defense missions.
He added that the sea patrols will be complemented by aerial reconnaissance flights.
Brawner said that although there were no new Chinese reclamation activities in the area, but dozens of Chinese militia vessels have been lingering in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
With this situation, the AFP chief said that there are plans to procure more naval ships, multi-role fighters, and drones “and more importantly develop the Philippine-occupied islands or features in our EEZ.”
Brawner further bared that another warship was deployed to the WPS to build up its presence in the volatile waters in the face of increasingly aggressive incursions by Chinese vessels.
He said the Davao del Sur, a Tarlac-class landing platform, will join the Antonio Luna, a guided missile frigate, in patrolling the waterway.
Meanwhile, the Western Command (Wescom) said three warships stationed in Palawan have orders to stop foreign ships from conducting illegal activities in the WPS such as collecting corals and other marine resources.
It was gathered that the military will also upgraded its installations on the islands of Pag-asa, Parola, Panata, Likas, Kota, Patag, Law, Ayungin Shoal and Rizal Reef by setting up digital networks and other communication systems. (ai/mnm)
