‘In conflict, Philippines must fight first before seeking help’

MANILA, Philippines — In case of war, the Philippines will have to fight and defend itself first before turning to the United States and other allies for help, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said yesterday.

He raised the scenario in a speech at the opening of this year’s ninth iteration of Armed Forces Joint Exercise “Dagat-Langit Lupa” (AJEX-DAGITPA) at Camp Aguinaldo, where he also emphasized the importance of readiness through continuous training, modernization and adapting to modern challenges.

“So this exercise is really valuable in the sense that we will learn so much about the Armed Forces of the Philippines and we will learn how we will need to adapt to the new challenges, the new threats that we are facing today and the threats that we will be facing in the future. Kailangan natin talaga (we really need to be) one step ahead, one step ahead,” Brawner said.

He said AJEX-DAGITPA’s training events are also “strategic rehearsals for real world contingencies, validating our concepts of operation under the comprehensive archipelagic defense concept (CADC) and the territorial defense plan Bantay Kalayaan” as well as the military’s new unilateral defense plan.

“In the event of war on our soil, our ally and our partners are expecting us to fight the war ourselves during the first part of the conflict. We do the fighting first. That’s why our unilateral defense plan and this exercise we’re doing are very important,” Brawner said.

“The realities of the West Philippine Sea remind us that deterrence is not built overnight. Rather it is strengthened through training and unity of purpose. In these pressing times when our sovereignty is constantly challenged, exercises become our living proof of readiness and resolve. They edify not only our defenses but also our collective will to protect every inch of our maritime domain,” he said.

“We are already at war. I’ve been saying this many times. I want us to have that mindset. We are not at war with bullets and bombs but with disinformation, with coercion and with encroachment into our territories, into our exclusive economic zone,” Brawner pointed out.

“Through this exercise, we demonstrate that the AFP never yields. We will adapt, we will anticipate and we will act decisively to defend our country and our people,” he added.

“We have to rely on ourselves first,” he told reporters later.

Involved in AJEX apart from the military, Brawner said, are the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police.

Trust in allies

But Brawner said he is confident the country’s security arrangements with allies – including the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US – can be relied upon in case of escalation of hostilities.

“We are expecting that if trouble erupts, we’ll be the first to do the fighting. But then we are expecting also reinforcements or help from our ally. And this is under the Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said.

Brawner said the military is expanding the coverage of its unilateral defense plan to include cyber war, information, electromagnetic and even space.

He said it’s hard to tell how long the AFP can hold the line in case of open hostilities, but based on President Marcos’ guidance, “we should be able to fight and preserve our forces for at least 20 days or up to 30 days.”

Brawner confirmed that AJEX-DAGITPA drills would also be held on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

“Why do we need to extend our defenses to Pag-asa? That’s our original plan, a unilateral defense plan, our concept is defense in depth. Our baseline is on land. In other words, we’re going to defend the land. But now with the comprehensive archipelagic defense concept, we are extending this to our exclusive economic zone and to the other features that we are occupying, specifically Pag-asa Island,” he said.

Brawner said AJEX-DAGITPA grows in complexity and depth each year, “reflecting not only the evolving nature of modern warfare, but also the Armed Forces’ resolve to stay ahead of emerging threats.”

Brawner said the AFP’s training exercises with the PCG and the PNP and other uniformed services are very vital, but admitted they are constrained by lack of resources.

“We lack ships. We lack aircraft. We lack sensors. We lack firing capabilities. We’re lacking so many things. That is why our Armed Forces modernization program is very vital as well in order for us to prepare for any eventuality that can happen in the future,” he said. “This is how we can determine what else we need.”