Boost PH military

I find it unnecessary to debate which administration messed up the territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea. Rather, the real issue here is: Which administration allowed the Philippines to be relatively defenseless as it is today?

Former president Benigno Aquino III does not deserve to take all the blows, because there were several others who, just like him, had been reluctant and complacent in developing our country’s defense and military capabilities.

The Philippines is considered one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world with weak military capabilities.

Aside from the decades-old and seemingly “antediluvian” frigates and equipage the Armed Forces of the Philippines has, there are other findings that support this conclusion.

In the Asia Power Index released by Lowy Institute, a policy think tank, the Philippines ranked 19th among 25 countries in Asia in terms of military capability.

This, despite progress in our gross domestic product and overall economic status.

Relative to other nations in the world, the Philippines is also underachieving, according to the Military Strength Ranking by Global Firepower.

Sadly, the Philippines still ranks low despite the valor, dedication, courage and fervent efforts for professionalism and modernization by the AFP.

It couldn’t be stressed enough that fortifying one’s defense posture is one of the vital investments and initiatives a state should undertake.

The Philippines need not be as extravagant as countries like the United States, France, Russia, China and Japan, but at least it should have something sufficient to protect every inch of its territory against intrusions and attacks.

Had this been the case, there would have been a back-up plan aside from the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that the Aquino administration triumphantly procured, but which to China is a mere scrap of paper.

Had we invested on  strengthening our defense early on, we could have focused more on other timely concerns without being overwhelmed with uncertainty  about the country’s fate and future.

For now, at least we can be thankful that somehow, another president like Mr. Duterte, apart from Ferdinand Marcos, has the common sense to recognize that a weakling like us has to double its efforts to boost its defense and military, instead of being impractical and too comfortable with donations and assistance from other, more self-sufficient nations.

At any rate, still being the hopeful Filipino that I am, I would like to believe we still have enough time to compensate for our misplaced complacency with efficiency and stability.

GENEROSO MASUNGSONG, [email protected]