Hontiveros urges DND to study increasing maritime forces in AFP

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged the Department of National Defense to study an expert’s proposal to increase the maritime forces in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In a statement, Hontiveros cited a proposal made by Dr. Clarita Carlos, a professor in the University of the Philippines and former president of National Defense College of the Philippines, who said that the current AFP forces are configured for a continental country than the archipelagic one.

“Our armed forces primarily consist of land forces. While we still do have internal security threats on land, I think there is no harm in studying how we can better equip our maritime forces, especially since China is not leaving our waters,” the lawmaker said.

“Lumalaki at dumadami ang banta na dala ng Tsina sa ating mga karagatan, kaya’t dapat maging handa tayo sa magiging implikasyon nito sa ating kinabukasan,” she added.

In her proposal, Carlos said the AFP structure should be altered to serve the Philippines’ national interest in maritime domain, considering that the current AFP is composed of 71% Army, 18% Navy— of which nearly half are Marines, and 11% Air Force.

“Our Philippine Marine Corps is getting a meager allocation for its equipment. Sa panahong walang tigil ang Tsina sa pagpwesto ng kanilang mga barko, pagtayo ng mga militarisadong isla, at pagtaboy sa sarili nating mga mangingisda, hindi pwedeng wala tayong panangga,” she said.

(In times like this when China is not stopping its vessels from doing formations on our seas, constructing militarized islands, and veering away our fishermen, we should prepare to defend ourselves.)

Hontiveros emphasized that the Philippine government has been filing numerous diplomatic protests yet China is still not heeding the call.

“A stronger maritime defense force sends China a clear message: we will not back down,” Hontiveros said.

The senator reiterated her support to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s statement, vowing to increase the Philippine Navy vessels and Philippine Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea following the swarming of around 220 Chinese  vessels in Julian Felipe Reef.

In March, Lorenzana said Philippine forces are ready to defend the country's sovereignty amid the incursions of Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe reef.

Lorenzana had said more Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard ships will be sent to the area.

The Philippine Air Force also sent a jet to protect the country’s sovereign rights over the disputed territory.

Hontiveros likewise said that the DND’s long-term strategic plan should squarely address this dispute with China.

“China is a massive threat to our country. Let’s not deny that. Our national security, national interest, and national dignity are all at stake,” she said.

“Sa buong kasaysayan, ang pinakamalaking banta sa anumang bansa ay ang banta ng dayuhang mananakop. Ngayong linggo na ipinagdiriwang natin ang Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas, sana ang sakripisyo at giting ng ating mga ninuno ay magbigay inspirasyon sa ating lahat, opisyal man o mamamayan, para tunay na ipaglaban ang Pilipinas,” Hontiveros added.

(In the entire history, the biggest threat to any country is foreign invasion. This week we will celebrate the Philippine Independence Day. May the sacrifices of our ancestors serve as an inspiration to everyone.)

The Philippines has filed several diplomatic protests against China, which continues to defy demands to withdraw its ships from the country's territory. —KG, GMA News