It is clear from the assumption speech of the new Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, that addressing internal security challenges will still be his leadership’s primary priority.
When he defined five priorities that the AFP must address, at least while he is its chief, he made it clear that one of them is to turn the remaining conflict-affected provinces “peaceful and ready for further development.”
Given this, it is understandable that he chose to postpone the acquisition of shore-based missiles that could be a deterrence against China in the West Philippine Sea issue. The timing may be bad, but priorities are priorities. Whether or not the postponement is wise, we cannot tell. But we will soon find out.
—PRESLY R VINOYA, Lanot, Roxas City, Capiz