Defense dep’t prepares list of military hardware to be bought from South Korea

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of National Defense on Tuesday said they will make a list of equipment that they need following the statement of President Benigno Aquino III on the country’s intention to purchase military hardware from South Korea.

In a telephone conference, DND spokesman Zosimo Paredes said they are still awaiting instructions from the Palace regarding Aquino’s statement issued on Monday following his meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

Paredes said they will create the shopping list that will detail the needed military hardware that the DND will purchase for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, with the cooperation of the military’s unified commands.

“This is for the DND so it will be the DND who will specify and make specifications of what exactly needful as far as the AFP is concerned,” Paredes said.

He added they will speed up the coordination with South Korea to facilitate quickly the transaction but did not give a specific time frame.

“Arrangements like these, the earlier the better. Time is of the essence,” Paredes told reporters.

Aquino and Lee on Monday gave a joint press conference wherein Aquino expressed the Philippine’s intention to purchase military-grade equipment in relation to the government’s ongoing upgrade and modernization of the AFP.

Lee is in Manila for a three-day state visit.