AFP conducting review as modernization program to expire 2027

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it has begun reviewing the current AFP Modernization Program as the law covering it nears its expiration in 2027. 

At a Palace briefing, AFP deputy chief of staff Lieutenant Rommel Roldan said extending or improving the modernization program requires a clear legislative process.

“Sa gawi po ng AFP, kami po ay handa, nagbibigay po kami ng technical advice sa Department of National Defense at iba pa pong kagawaran ng ehekutibo at lehislatura dahil kailangan po ito ng batas,” he said.

(In the AFP, we are ready, we provide technical advice to the Department of National Defense and other executive and legislative departments because it is required by law.)

“Rest assured po ang Armed Forces is always ready with our proposals po para anuman pong pagbabago o pagpapabuti pa ng susunod na AFP Modernization Program,” he added.

(Rest assured that the Armed Forces are always ready with our proposals for any changes or improvements in the next AFP Modernization Program.)

Roldan said the Philippine military is making enough efforts to convince the Congress to speed up the creation of the new law for the AFP modernization.

“Nakita ninyo naman po ngayong 2026 mayroon pong P40 billion allocated po para sa AFP Modernization Program bukod pa po dito iyon pong P50 billion na unprogrammed para po sa modernization,” he said.

(You saw that in 2026, there is P40 billion allocated for the AFP Modernization Program, in addition to that, there is P50 billion that is unprogrammed for modernization.)

The ongoing review focuses on assessing which projects under the current program have already been implemented and evaluating how the country’s security environment has evolved since the program started.

“Patuloy po sa nakikita namin ang malaking suporta ng ating mahal na Pangulo sa AFP Modernization. Siguro po sa taong ito makikita ninyo po ang pagdating ng mga bagong kagamitan na siyang kailangan po ng inyong Sandatahan para maibigay ang kapabilidad, ang suporta sa atin pong security forces on the field,” he said.

(We continue to see the great support of our beloved President for AFP modernization. Perhaps this year you will see the arrival of new equipment that your Armed Forces need to provide the capability and the support to our security forces in the field.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News