PH military 'world class,' but assets still inadequate — Brawner

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. admitted Tuesday that while the country’s military is experienced, it still has a long way to go when it comes to equipment as compared to the militaries of other countries.

“But as of now, personally, I can say that we are already a world-class army, world class armed forces. Dahil hindi lang naman sa kagamitan makikita yung pagiging world-class. But we are one of the most experienced armed forces around the world dahil tuloy-tuloy yung giyera na kung saan ay ang ating mga sundalo ay tuloy-tuloy din na hinahasa ang ating mga skills, ang ating competencies ano,” Brawner told reporters in a chance interview.

(Because being world-class is not only seen in the equipment. But we are one of the most experienced armed forces around the world because the war is continuous, where our soldiers are continuously honing their skills and competencies.)

The AFP chief noted that equipment from foreign countries, such as the fleets from South Korea and fighter jets from Australia, have boosted the defense capabilities of the Philippine military. But the country’s assets are not enough for now, Brawner added.

“We have the capability, kayang kaya natin i-defend, depensahan ng ating bansa. Pero ang sinasabi ko po, kulang pa, kulang pa. Because if we consider the entire archipelago, ay hindi kaya nung current na kagamitan natin na i-cover yung entire archipelago,” said Brawner. “In fact, sa ngayon, naka-focus lang tayo dito sa West Philippine Sea, sa northern part ng ating bansa, ay nakita na nga natin na kulang pa ito, kulang pa.”

(We have the capability, we can very much defend, defend our country. But what I am saying is, it's still inadequate, it's still inadequate. Because if we consider the entire archipelago, our current equipment cannot cover the entire archipelago. In fact, right now, we are only focused here on the West Philippine Sea, in the northern part of our country, and we have already seen that this is still inadequate, it's still inadequate.)

Nonetheless, the AFP said that modernization efforts in the military are on the way.

“But we are now in the process of modernizing our armed forces kaya't talagang kailangan na kailangan po natin yung tulong ng ating Kongreso para mabigyan po tayo ng pondo para sa ating modernization,” said Brawner.

(But we are now in the process of modernizing our armed forces, that's why we really, really need the help of our Congress to give us funding for our modernization.)

Under the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, the revised AFP modernization program will get P50 billion. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RSJ, GMA Integrated News