Noy assures AFP modernization to continue

MANILA, Philippines - For Filipino soldiers operating in the field, sardine cans are more than just containers for a staple food.

President Aquino on Friday recalled how soldiers had used the cans to deal with a jamming machine gun, which was mounted in a helicopter.

“The machine gun jammed frequently. But the Filipinos made an invention. They placed a roller for the ammunition,” Aquino said in a speech delivered before military officers and reservists in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“Because of their ingenuity, they used the can of 555 sardines. And I heard, this practice was copied by our allies because it was more effective,” he added.

The placing of sardine cans as rollers was meant to ensure the smooth feeding of ammunition into the machine gun.

While the anecdote drew laughter from the audience, Aquino seems to believe that it reflected a serious issue, specifically the need to equip the troops in the field.

“I don’t believe in giving one person a task or mission and telling him you’re on your own,” the President said.

“Our objective is to provide your needs in all aspects. But if you are found wanting, we have the right to ask why you did not do enough. If you do what you are supposed to do, you deserve to be honored and appreciated,” he added.

Aquino vowed to continue supporting the military’s modernization efforts but cited the need to balance it with the need to provide for basic services.

“My position has not changed. I am in favor of an extensive modernization of the armed forces. Bur we cannot forego the primary needs of our people like education, health and jobs just to appear strong in the eyes of other countries,” he said.

“To those who have doubts, let me stress that we will continue to strengthen the armed forces through honest and reasonable means. And I myself will do this as soon as possible.”

In his fourth state of the nation address last Monday, Aquino cited the high costs involved in acquiring military assets, creating impressions that he has reservations about huge defense spending.

“There are those who insist on upgrading our Armed Forces. I agree with this, but some of them act as if they want us to invest every centavo of our country into fighter jets, tanks, and other equipment for warfare,” the president said. 

“They may not know that one fighter jet costs 1.58 billion pesos—equivalent to 6,580 houses for our soldiers and our police force, or nearly 2,000 classrooms for our children. And what can one jet do? To be truly effective, we would need a squadron,” he added.

Aquino noted that the government needs to allot P37.92 billion just to assemble one squadron.

“What about practice missiles? And it is not as if jet fuel, a radar system, ground bases, and ground intercept controls are free. Building a minimum credible defense posture is not something we can take lightly,” he said.

Defense officials, however, said the procurement of 12 fighters jets will continue as this would boost the country’s territorial defense capability.