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Palace: PBBM committed to credible, reliable PH defense

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra
April 7, 2025, 2:18 pm

MANILA -- The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to enhancing the country's defense capabilities through the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Malacañang said Monday.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the AFP's modernization efforts are not aimed at any specific country, following Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez's statement about the purchase of more F-16 fighter jets to counter China's actions in disputed territories.

The Philippines and China have long been engaged in a territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea, part of the resource-rich South China Sea, which Beijing claims in its entirety.

Castro said Romualdez was just expressing his opinion, noting that the AFP modernization has been ongoing for quite some time now.

"Ang AFP Modernization naman po ay noon pa po... Nataon lamang po at hindi nagta-target ng anumang bansa. Nagkataon lang po siguro na may mga issues po tayo na kinakaharap, at opinyon po iyan ni Ambassador (The AFP modernization has been ongoing for quite some time now. It's just coincidental that we're facing issues at the moment, and that's the opinion of the Ambassador)," Castro said.

Meanwhile, AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner is reportedly exploring the acquisition of more missile systems, warships, and multi-role fighter jets to bolster the country's air and missile defense, something that Malacañang fully supports.

Asked whether the Palace is confident that the country's defense posture will be credible and reliable by the end of the President's term, Castro responded: "That is the goal of the President, and that is the goal of everyone involved."

"Every effort will be made, every opportunity taken, and all necessary resources will be allocated to ensure that our defense posture meets our national security needs," she went on. (PNA)