Enrile says DND, AFP unprepared vs. internal, external threats

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday scolded the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, saying they are not prepared against both internal and external security threats.

“We have no preparedness whatsoever. That’s a fact,” Enrile told reporters after scrutinizing for two hours the DND's P158.86-billion proposed 2016 budget.

“Mr. Secretary, I’m telling you, the amount of your budget is minuscule to the needs of this country. You better work it and tell Malacañang, this is not enough,” Enrile told Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

The senator also compared the department's budget to that of their counterparts in the region.

“In 15 years, with our...funding compared to [that of our] neighbors, what kind of credible defense would that be to us? You have to remember they are also spending money and you are also spending small funds. Sila advanced na, tayo hindi pa. Are we really absolutely committed to safeguard [the country and] mounting territorial defense?” he said.

Internal vs. external 'threats'

Enrile said that with the Bangsamoro Basic Law, "we are surrendering almost the whole sink [sic]." He added, "What they have conceded to the MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] is actually an act of surrender."

Enrile added, however, that while "the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf can be handled by ground forces," external threats and "looming changes, the remapping of the world" can only by handled by "sophisticated armed forces of the Philippines."

Enrile also advised the DND to secure an alliance with the United States.

“America is challenging China in the West Philippine Sea not because of the Philippines but because of free trade, freedom of seas, that is the one that is stabilizing the economy and security of the present world,” he said.

In an interview after the budget hearing, the senator said that the US will remain the world's most powerful country this century.

He added that China cannot compete with the US because its economy is export-based.

“Once the export market of China is closed, then you have the internal problems in China and there’s so many countries surrounding it that will affect its security. Russia in the north, Japan, India in the southwest. It’s not really a country that can say, I’m safe from anybody,” he said.

“Sino ang takot sa China, tayo lang e. Why? Because we are unprepared,” he added. — BM, GMA News