AFP has shopping list of needed arms

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is expected to submit to President Estrada next week a list of military equipment comprising the initial purchase under its 15-year modernization program.

AFP chief Gen. Angelo Reyes said the purchase of the items will be funded with the P5.4 billion earlier earmarked by the President for the program.

"We're still finalizing the list, but we expect to present it to the President next week through the Presidential Management Staff," Reyes told The STAR.

Once Mr. Estrada gives his approval, bidding for the military equipment will start immediately, Reyes said.

The AFP chief noted that new priorities in the government's anti-insurgency campaign influenced the choice of items to be purchased.

Topping the AFP list are attack helicopters, armored personnel carriers and small gunboats. Some of the requirements of all the service commands are also included in the list.

A senior military official said the composition of the initial items does not mean that external defense will be given less priority by the government, which has to deal with increased Chinese intrusions into Philippine-claimed territories in the South China Sea.

"The equipment can also be used for external security requirements. However, high-ticket items like fighter jets and warships will have to wait," the source said.

Reyes said the purchase of military equipment for counter-insurgency operations is vital in the wake of the resurgence of attacks by communist and secessionist rebels.

"We have to stop them (rebels) once and for all or else we'll end up with problems," he said.

Under the previous administration, counter-insurgency responsibilities shifted from the military to the Philippine National Police as the strength of the communist New People's Army (NPA) declined from 25,000 in 1986 to 5,000 in 1995.

The AFP began to concentrate on beefing up external defense as well as fighting Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas in Mindanao.

In 1999, however, the number of NPA regulars reached an alarming 10,600, forcing the government to re-prioritize its anti-terrorist and counter-insurgency campaign.

Reyes also clarified that the modernization program does not include acquisitions from the US military, which provides the AFP with excess defense articles (EDA).

Last month, 135 M-35 trucks were delivered to the country by the US as part of the EDA program. A total 165 more trucks are expected to arrive within the first half of the year.

The US Embassy said proposals for increased military aid to the Philippines have been gaining ground in the US Congress as a result of the Visiting Forces Agreement.