Phl to get $40-M aid from US

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines will get $40 million in defense assistance from the US this year to support territorial and maritime domain awareness buildup.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said $20 million will be allotted to bankroll the $61 million procurement package for two refurbished C-130 cargo planes that the US State Department has approved to be sold to the Philippines.

“The Armed Forces is happy for the continuing support of our principal ally,” he said. “This will go a long way in our capability upgrade programs.”

Padilla spoke to reporters following yesterday’s meeting at Camp Aguinaldo of top defense and military leaders to review and assess the country’s defense acquisition system.

The meeting is held regularly in line with security concerns about the heightening maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

The disputes might force the Philippines to rebuild its territorial and external defenses and acquire fighter jets, combat helicopters, cargo planes, warships, mobile missile launchers and heavy guns.

The Philippines is firmly holding on to the Kalayaan Island Group following China’s massive development projects on reclaimed reefs.

It has filed a case against China’s excessive claims before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

China has refused to participate in international arbitration and continues the massive infrastructure development in territories it claims as an integral part of its maritime domain.

In addition to the Spratlys, China is claiming almost 80 percent of the entire West Philippine Sea as part its maritime territory.

The claim would cover the coastal waters of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and  Indonesia.

Padilla said the balance of US assistance has been earmarked for the acquisition of the mutually agreed upon defense equipment acquisition programs to bolster the country’s continuing maritime domain awareness buildup, particularly focusing on communication equipment and surveillance radars, and give teeth to the government’s Coast Watch Program.

“It includes radar,” he said.