AFP modernization for PH defense, not offense
MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is being modernized not for offensive purposes but to bolster the country's defensive capabilities, an official said Thursday.
"Just because we have our modernization program does not mean we have any intention to fight another country," Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said in an interview with reporters.
"If I may paraphrase the commander-in-chief (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) in the command conference this morning when he mentioned, and I state, we have no desire to attack anyone."
Trinidad was referring to the AFP Mid-Year Command Conference held earlier in the day at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, which was attended by Marcos, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and other ranking Cabinet and military officials.
The Navy official also refuted a retired Philippine Air Force general's claim that the Philippines is being turned into another Ukraine and used as pawn in the power play between China and the United States.
"We are not preparing the Armed Forces for offense. We are preparing the Armed Forces to defend what is legally and rightfully the Filipinos," Trinidad said, noting that the Philippines is a sovereign state that has its national interests.
The Philippines is locked in a long-running dispute with China over portions of the South China Sea, with the US among its vocal supporters, often calling out China over its aggressive actions against Philippine vessels.
"All the actions of the Armed Forces are in furtherance of this national interest. We will not fight for the interests of another country, nor will we be dictated by them. Standing up for our rights does not mean being subservient to the interests of another country," Trinidad said. (PNA)
(2025/07/18-10:09)
Philippine News Agency: info@pna.gov.ph, pna.subscription2020@yahoo.com
PNA
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