Honasan warns GMA on AFP’s war preparedness

In the light of rising international tensions that could involve the Philippines in potential armed conflict, Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan urged President Arroyo yesterday to fast-track the implementation of the AFP Modernization Program.

"Based on the report presented by Department of National Defense officials in a recent Senate hearing, only P10.9 billion has been made available for the program since the passage of the AFP Modernization Act last 1996. Of these, only a small fraction has actually been released for the procurement of much needed equipment," stated Honasan.

Honasan stressed that if the present administration will not seriously address this problem, the capability of the military will be weakened further, making the AFP the laughingstock in the region and limiting our military and foreign policy options.

"Just imagine, if our current border problems with China and Malaysia escalate into a full-blown armed confrontation, can our military be able to defend our nation and territory from the armed forces of the two countries? With only a handful of aging fighter planes and a navy without any medium- range naval weapons capability, the DND and the DFA might as well form a reception committee for the invading forces," Honasan asserted.

The senator from Bicol lamented that the scarcity of funds allocated for modernization is exacerbated by questionable procurement practices of the various branches of the military establishment. He noted that a number of high-ranking military officials are now facing a variety of graft charges, including a recent complaint filed at the Ombudsman by Rosario Ong against Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes himself.

The complaint filed by Ong concerns the alleged refusal of Reyes to honor the P201 million contract earlier entered into by the Philippine Army and Alvis Logistics and Bairam Enterprises, Inc. for the supply of tools and spare parts for the repair and maintenance of the military’s Scorpion tanks.

"There is an urgent need to institute greater transparency and accountability in the procurement process of the military as this will ensure a more efficient utilization of funds earmarked for the AFP modernization. I can only support the allocation of additional budgetary sources if the military officials overseeing the modernization program will strictly adhere to the highest standards of public service," declared Honasan.