AFP welcomes US pledge of assistance

The Armed Forces on Thursday said the pledge of continued military assistance from the United States which was made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should help the Philippines fend off aggressors in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The AFP said it welcomed the US commitment to ensure that the collective defense facilities and infrastructures of both countries would be sufficient “to deter internal as well as external aggression.”

“Sure enough, this will complement our maritime and interdiction operations in the West Philippine Sea,” AFP Chief General Eduardo Oban Jr. said in a statement.

Clinton’s two-day visit came at a time of rising tension in the waters of the West Philippine Sea (also called South China Sea) over the Spratlys, a chain of reputedly resource-rich islets and reefs near Palawan.

The Spratlys archipelago is claimed wholly or in part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Recent tensions

There have been tensions in recent months over China’s enforcement of its claim in areas of the Spratlys claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam, including the cutting of cables on survey ships, threats to ram some vessels and breaches of airspace by military aircraft.

Oban said the partnership between the Philippine and US military affirmed their longstanding defense cooperation and highlighted the two countries’ commitment to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

“The partnership between the two countries’ military organizations remains healthy, dynamic and beneficial. It continues to highlight the unswerving commitment of both countries’ security forces towards a more secure Asia-Pacific region,” Oban said.

He also acknowledged the US help in the AFP’s operations against terrorists in the country’s south, citing in particular US assistance against the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

He said the AFP would continue its capability upgrade program, and was in fact already expecting equipment to be delivered in late 2011 and early next year.

Year-end acquisitions

Before the year’s end, the AFP is expecting the delivery of the following:

For the Air Force: 20 units of MG520 helicopters upgrade, 4 combat utility helicopters and one  aerial recon camera; for the Army: 62 audio/visual systems; and for the Navy: one landing craft utility, three multipurpose attack craft, three Jacinto class patrol vessel upgrade (weapons system), 20 units of 2 ½-ton truck troop carrier, 20 units of 1¼-ton truck troop carrier, 105 units of 20-watts radio (vehicle).

For 2012, the following will be delivered:

For the Air Force: four combat utility helicopters and six UH-1H helicopter acquisition (refurbished); for the Navy: two coast watch station upgrade; and for the Army: one lot C41/GIS, 335 units of rocket launcher light and 100 units of 81mm mortars.

According to Oban, the military has been enhancing its presence and improving its coast watch system to ensure the security and monitoring of the West Philippine Sea.

He said the recently acquired US Hamilton class cutter from the US, renamed the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, will be deployed to the West Philippine Sea once it is commissioned at the end of the month, to augment Philippine forces in the area.