ARMED Forces Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr., on Wednesday (25 Oct 2023) graced the Kapihan sa Manila Bay in Malate, Manila where he emphasized the pressing need for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines the soonest possible time.
This call for modernization comes as a response to the increasingly assertive actions by Chinese coast guards and maritime militia vessels within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
General Brawner also underscored the strategic importance of the Philippines as an archipelagic nation comprising 7,641 islands. He stressed the necessity of acquiring additional battleships and fighter jets to ensure the safeguarding of PH’s sovereignty and the preservation of the Filipinos’ democratic way of life.
Prior to this, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened a special command conference on Monday, where discussions revolved around a recent collision incident in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Subsequently, President Marcos ordered the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to launch an immediate maritime investigation into the incident.
(Benjie Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
