Lorenzana hopes next DND chief will continue AFP modernization, fight vs. insurgency

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday bared the top projects of the Department of National Defense (DND) he wishes its next chief will continue implementing.

“Of course, ang dapat ituloy ‘yung mga proyekto talaga para sa kasiguraduhan or safety or security—ang pagtugis sa mga komunista o Communist Party of the Philippines, NPA, at saka mga terrorista dyan sa Mindanao,” Lorenzana said a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(The projects that need to be continued are the ones for the security or safety—the capture of the communists, NPA, and the terrorists in Mindanao.)

In December 2021, AFP spokesperson Army Colonel Ramon Zagala said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has "greatly diminished" the local terrorist groups after the left-and-right-hand approach was used against them. These groups were the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), Daulah Islamiya (DI), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Further, the DND chief said that he expects that the AFP modernization program will also push through under the next administration.

“Pangalawa, pagpatuloy ‘yung modernization ng ating Armed Forces, especially yung Navy at saka yung Air Forces para mapangalagaan ang ating maritime domain, ‘yung ating karagatan kasama ang karagatan natin dito sa loob ‘yung tinatawag nating exclusive economic zone at saka ‘yung sovereign rights,” he added.

(Second, the continuation of the modernization program of the Armed Forces, especially the Navy and Armed Forces, to protect our maritime domain, including our EEZ and sovereign rights.)

Lorenzana earlier said the funding for the maintenance of new military assets would be a challenge for the next administration, indicating that the top military and government officials have to persuade the Congress to allot the budget needed for the maintenance.

In April, Lorenzana said funding could also be a problem as the modernization program is set to proceed to its “Horizon 3” phase, in which the assets to be acquired will be more sophisticated, such as fighter planes and submarines.

The Philippine Navy also earlier expressed hope that the next administration would continue with the AFP Modernization Program because it is supported by the law. — Giselle Ombay/BM, GMA News