PH forces ready vs WPS threats by end of Marcos term — Amb. Romualdez

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Sunday he is expecting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the help of the United States, will be equipped against any threats in the West Philippine Sea by the end of the Marcos Jr. administration.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Romualdez, the Philippines’ top diplomat in the US, said that the Philippines is at its “best relationship” with the US right now, with the two nations “rebooting” their relationship at the helm of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Even amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea, the ambassador said both the Republican and Democratic parties are in support of the Philippines, believing that the country’s armed forces should be strengthened to improve its defensive and deterrence capabilities.

Romualdez was referring to the bipartisan bill earlier introduced by two US senators, Republican Bill Hagerty and Democrat Tim Kaine, to provide the Philippines with $2.5 billion to boost its defenses against external threats.

This Foreign Military Financing grant assistance from the US aims to provide the Philippines $500 million a year in the next five fiscal years up to 2029.

Romualdez said that is coordinating with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. regarding the matter. 

“Yan ang tinatrabaho namin ngayon. Kausap namin si Secretary Teodoro at binigyan kami ng list na kailangan ng ating Armed Forces. ‘Yan ang hinahabol natin. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get that. With the friends in the US Congress, malaking tulong ‘yan sa atin sa Armed Forces,” he said. 

(That's what we're working on now. We’re talking with Secretary Teodoro and he gave us a list of what our Armed Forces need. That's what we're after. Hopefully, we'll be able to get that. With friends in the US Congress, that would be a big help to us in the Armed Forces.)

With billions worth of proposed defense modernization funds, Romualdez said the Philippines is seeking to prioritize its maritime forces, particularly the Navy and Coast Guard.

He said the country’s Air Force will also be given precedence to acquire more fighter aircraft.

“Unti unti ‘yan darating, but you’ll see these in the next three to five years, talagang makikita mo na ‘yan,” Romualdez said.

(These will come little by little, but you'll see all of them in the next three to five years.)

“Ang talagang tinitignan natin diyan siguro before the end of term ni President Marcos, medyo yung ating Armed forces handang handa na for our defense posture and strategy na ginagawa natin ngayon with the United States,” he continued.

(We’re seeing that maybe before the end of President Marcos' term, our Armed forces are fully ready in our defense posture and strategy, which we are doing now with the United States.)

In a statement shared with Reuters, Hagerty said the bill was "critical" to deepen cooperation with the Philippines at a time of "Communist China's growing aggression in the West Philippines Sea and South China Sea."

Kaine echoed this, saying it was "pivotal that the people of the Philippines have the resources and support they need in the face of those threats."

Asked if the US is seeking anything in return for this aid bill, Romualdez said, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.”

“Ang relasyon natin ngayon sa Amerika, syempre, ang exchange diyan ay ang EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) at ang Visiting Forces Agreement. Pero ‘yung EDCA ang pinaka-ano sa lahat. ‘Yung EDCA, kailangan din natin ‘yun dahil makakatulong sa’tin, especially for climate resiliency and preparedness,” he added.

(With our current relationship with America, of course, they are seeking the EDCA and VFA. But the EDCA is the most important because that will help us, especially in climate resiliency and preparedness.)

Last Monday, April 22, the Philippines and the United States (US) officially opened the 39th iteration of their annual joint military exercise or Balikatan, which is the largest exercise they have conducted so far.

For the first time, the French Navy participated in the Balikatan with around 100 personnel.

From the US, around 11,000 personnel are participating, including 3,700 marines, 1,200 soldiers, 4,000 US Navy personnel, 400 airmen and Air National Guardsmen, as well as 750 US Special Operations troops.

The AFP, meanwhile, deployed 5,000 personnel, mainly from Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and Western Command (WESCOM), to join the Balikatan activities.

Military forces of the Philippines and the US are conducting activities outside the territorial waters of the country—beyond 12 nautical miles or 22.22 kilometers off the west coast of Palawan—for the first time since the inception of Exercise Balikatan.

The exercise will run until May 10.—Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News