PHL armed forces 6th worst military organization in the world

The Armed Forces of the Philippines ranked sixth among 10 worst military organizations in the world, a US-based military enthusiasts' group said.

An article posted on October 19, 2015  on the "We Are The Mighty" website said the Philippine military has remained ill-equipped despite challenges in the region.

On its list of Top 10 worst military organizations are:

WATM's article said that despite the Chinese military buildup in the region, with aggressive moves by Beijing to claim areas and build islands in the Spratlys, the Philippine military remains backward.

"The President of the Philippines vowed to upgrade the country’s aging Navy and Air Force to the tune of $1.7 billion and the Philippine Congress passed a bill appropriating $2 billion for the effort and … that’s it," the article said.

"The Philippine Naval and Air Forces are still nearly 60 years old and its ships are old US Coast Guard cutters," it added.

The article said the US has, by far, the largest, most powerful, well-equipped, and best trained military force to ever exist on Earth.

The views in the article was enough to get a reaction from both Malacañang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In a press briefing, Communications Secretary Hermino Coloma, Jr. enumerated the multi-billion projects approved by Aquino as part of the implementation of the AFP Modernization Act, which was signed into law three years ago.

These projects include: two Navy frigates worth P18 billion; three air surveillance radars, P2.68 billion; six close air support aircraft, P4.97 billion; two units of long-range patrol aircraft, P5.98 billion; multi-purpose attack craft project worth P864.32 million; night fighting system, P1.116 billion; two C-130 air crafts, P1.6 billion; two naval helicopters, P5.4 billion; and lead-in fighter training jets ammunition worth P4.47 billion.

“Makikita natin ‘yung kongkretong manipestasyon ng ibayong pagsisikap na gawing moderno ang ating Sandatahang Lakas at ito ay pinapatunayan sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng mga pinakamodernong kagamitan na gagamitan ng ating Army, Navy, at Air Force,” Coloma said.

Col. Restituto Padilla, AFP public information office chief, admitted that the military needed a considerable updating.

"Ang basehan nila dito ay kalumaan ng ating kagamitan at comparison sa ating mga karatig bansa.... Hindi natin idine-deny na kailangan nating mag modernize ng militar," Padilla told radio station dzBB.

"Nagpapasalamat kami dahil sa pagdulog namin (kay Pangulong Aquino), naintindihan nya ang ating sitwasyon," he added. —LBG/NB/JST, GMA News