AFP chief wants increase in defense expenditures

AFP Chief-of-Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang at the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash (Photo courtesy of Sen. Grace Poe’s Facebook page)

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang proposes hike in the country’s defense expenditures to ensure the military of sufficient resources in dealing with incursions on the country’s territories.

He made this statement during a press briefing Monday when asked what the AFP is planning to do in wake of China’s continued expansion projects in the West Philippine Sea.

“(Once our country gets prosperous), my suggestion is if we cannot increase the expenditure up to two percent of (our gross domestic product), we can pass a law that (will) allow the Armed Forces Modernization to be secured for the next 15 years,” Catapang said.

The AFP chief proposal was that at least one percent of the annual budget be dedicated to the improvement of the capabilities of the defense and military, including those of the Office of the Civil Defense because the Philippines is also facing the global climate change problem.

At present, the AFP is involved in an estimated Php84-billion modernization program for the Navy, Air Force and Army.