More US military hardware coming

Last Thursday we joined Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and US Ambassador Kim for the formal turnover of two Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City (see photos in This Week on PeopleAsia at the Allure section of the PhilStar today). The Grand Caravan EX given by the United States is a highly sophisticated plane with ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capability that will provide critical support to the Armed Forces’ counterterrorism operations.

Witnessing the turnover were US PACOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton and Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, who expressed gratitude for the new addition to the country’s air assets as these will provide the military with important flexibility in detecting various threats to the country especially with our porous shores. Secretary Lorenzana himself admitted being elated at what the aircraft can do to support the ground, air and naval operations of the AFP, as well as humanitarian and disaster response efforts.

The turnover of the two new aircraft (valued at P1.67 billion) was an important event as it not only underscored significant progress in the AFP’s modernization program, but also highlighted the continuing alliance between the US and the Philippines. In fact, a retired US Admiral whom I have known for years texted me that the military alliance between the Philippines and the United States has never been better that it was at this time.

President Duterte who was expected to drop by the event before going to the Visayas to visit wounded soldiers had to cancel because of the inclement weather. President Rody told Secretary Lorenzana he will check out the spy planes on his way back. But I’m sure the president will be pleased with the new aircraft that are equipped with advanced sensors, cameras and communications equipment that will significantly enhance the ability of our troops to pinpoint the location of terrorist groups operating in Mindanao.

More military hardware from the United States are on the way, among them the two ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles sometime this month. The ScanEagle UAVs built by Boeing’s Insitu group are miniature drones with multiple optic and sensor capabilities. They are equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras that can track stationary and moving targets. We’re told they are extremely helpful to SEAL operations as they have the capability to monitor enemy concentrations, can detect movement of vehicles and people, and identify buildings and terrain features. Earlier this year, Washington also donated hand-held Raven drones for the use of Philippine Marines operating against the Abu Sayyaf militants in Jolo.

The morale within the Air Force – from the top brass down to junior officers and even the enlisted personnel – is extremely high with the new planes that will be operated by the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Group based out of Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga. The 300 AISG is the AFP’s lead unit for air intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

During our meeting with Secretary Cayetano, he outlined our country’s new independent foreign policy, and I couldn't agree more with a strategy that should work well with our relationships with other countries which will be based on mutually beneficial cooperation, equality and mutual respect.

The Philippines may be small compared to others, but as far as our independence and sovereignty is concerned, we have the same standing as other nations – even giant ones like China and the United States. And the way I see it, therein lies the significance in the president’s SONA remarks about the Balangiga Bells. Many are saying we should get back those bells, while some are even offering to make replicas and replace them so we can get back the originals – but I think there is more to it than that.

The interpretation offered is that President Duterte mentioned the Balangiga Bells to remind everyone about the history of atrocities attached to those bells. Each nation has its own past, its distinct problems at the present, and respective policies in resolving such problems – which other nations should respect.

Many are expecting that relations between the Philippines and the United States will experience new levels when US President Donald Trump comes to Manila this November for the ASEAN summit. This will probably signal the renewed relations between our two nations since both leaders hit it off well and displayed good chemistry when they spoke over the phone last April.

Mutuality is definitely a key word to good relations, and this will be our guiding light when we go to Washington, D.C. I’m confident that this new assignment I am about to embark on as Philippine Ambassador to the US will be meaningful, not to mention challenging. It will be an honor to be the country’s representative to Washington, D.C. and I am deeply grateful to the president for giving me this opportunity to serve the country. There comes a point in one’s life when one needs to contribute something to the country, so perhaps this is one of them.

I thank my friends, classmates and some senators as well as congressmen from all sides of the political spectrum including Congressman Rudy Fariñas for their encouragement.  Secretary Cesar Purisima was one of the first to congratulate me, and so did Nene Araneta of the Araneta Group. President-Mayor Erap called me and so did Congresswoman Gloria Arroyo, while FVR has actually been advising me from day one to take the post. My deep appreciation for all the encouragement and best wishes. As often said, we will do our best, and God will do the rest.

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