EDITORIAL - Beyond modernization

Under his watch, President Aquino said yesterday, the needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been so well looked after he might soon be accused of spoiling the military. The President and commander-in-chief said this as the AFP celebrated its 77th anniversary, pointing out that over P28 billion had been allocated for military modernization in just the past 19 months.

The additional funding and the extension of the AFP modernization program by a few more years are in line with the military’s shift from internal security to external defense. The shift was prompted largely by China’s increasingly aggressive activities to bolster its territorial claims in disputed waters. While P28 billion is just a drop in the bucket compared to the defense spending of China, now the world’s second largest economy, Philippine security officials are aiming to develop minimum credible defense capability. This means, among other things, boosting the capability to keep out intruders from Philippine territorial waters. The AFP upgrade also aims to improve military capability for relief and rescue operations in disaster areas.

Modernization, however, is not the only concern as the AFP celebrates its anniversary. The AFP continues to be criticized for human rights violations, and certain elements in the military resist efforts to promote respect for civil liberties.

Another issue is corruption, which has destroyed the careers of several ranking AFP officers. The downfall of those officers may serve as a deterrent, but there are still opportunities for corruption that certain AFP members may find hard to resist. This problem requires new systems and sustained effort to eliminate from the military.

Creating a professional AFP also includes a merit-based system of assignment and promotion. This is a major challenge in a society steeped in patronage, where influential surnames and the right connections often trump competence. The AFP can strive to serve as a model for meritocracy. In every anniversary, military personnel should have reason to celebrate progress in all efforts to develop a professional AFP.