RP, US agree to fast-track defense acquisition, reform programs

Ranking military and defense officials from the Philippines and the United States have vowed to accelerate the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) of resigned defense chief Avelino Cruz Jr.

President Arroyo, in her capacity as concurrent secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND), met with US Ambassador Kristie Kenney yesterday and vowed to pursue the defense and military reform programs initiated by Cruz.

"The meeting of the RP-US Philippine Defense Reform Executive Steering Committee starts off with great news — the killing of the notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Solaiman," Mrs. Arroyo said.

During the meeting, Mrs. Arroyo stressed the need to fast-track the defense acquisition and modernization programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"The President wants fast-tracked acquisition programs," said AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who headed the military delegation in the meeting.

As acting defense secretary, Mrs. Arroyo approved a contract to refurbish the five gunboats donated by the South Korean government to the Philippine Navy.

Mrs. Arroyo also approved the purchase of night-flying capable attack and transport helicopters.

The DND is looking to acquire refurbished Cobra attack helicopters from the US, or the same type of night-flight capable attack and transport helicopters from China, Russia, Italy or France.

Aside from the defense and military officials comprising the PDR’s executive steering committee, the US was represented by officials from the US Pacific Command (USPACOM).

The US delegation was headed by Edward Ross, principal director of the US Security Cooperation Operations; USPACOM Logistic Director Brig. Gen. Kenneth Dowd; US Air Force Brig. Gen. Bobby Wilkes, US deputy director, politico-military affairs for Asia, and US Marines

Brig. Gen. John Toolan, principal director for Asian and Pacific Affairs.

The group was accompanied by Kenney, who also had a brief dialogue with Mrs. Arroyo.

"I’m here for the meeting of the Philippine Defense Reform steering committee. It’s an important Philippine program and the United States is very proud and pleased to be a partner," Kenney told reporters.

Being a major ally, the US government is the main supplier and donor of the country’s military in terms of training exchanges and fighting equipment.

This is aside from the grants of South Korea and China, which have been providing heavy equipment to the DND and AFP for infrastructure projects.

Kenney said the country’s PDR is now being observed by other countries for its unique way of dealing with military contingencies and facing challenges ahead.

"It’s really very exciting for all of us to see that the Department of National Defense is thinking ahead, looking at how can you keep Philippine military going – what it needs to do to keep the people of the Philippines safe," Kenney said.

Kenney assured the US government, as an ally, will continue to play a supportive role in the country’s PDR.

"A safe Philippines is good for all the Americans to visit and work here, too. So I’m proud to be a partner. It (PDR) is designed for and by the Filipinos," Kenney said.

At the same time, Kenney said this year’s RP-US Balikatan military exercises will go on as scheduled and with emphasis on the humanitarian side.

Washington canceled the annual military event following the issue over the custody of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, convicted in December last year for raping a Filipino woman.

Following Smith’s controversial transfer to the custody of the US Embassy in Manila, Washington immediately announced its readiness to resume the Balikatan.

"We our very pleased and proud to continue to be a partner of the Philippine military. Our Balikatan exercises will go on. It’s gonna have a very special focus and that is on the humanitarian side," Kenney said.

"Together we can build roads, we can prepare schools and make lives of the people living in the difficult part of the country peaceful and prosperous as they should be," she added.