Press Release
December 11, 2012

Trillanes: New AFP modernization law to strengthen nat'l defense

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV expressed gratitude to President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday for signing into law the amended Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization legislation that will extend the program into another 17 years, saying this will help the capabilities of the military to deal with national security threats.

President Aquino signed into law the measure on Tuesday, which will provide the AFP some P75 billion in fresh infusion for the first five years of the implementation, subject to the capacity of the Department of National Defense (DND) to utilize and carry out the program in accordance with its management system.

Trillanes is the co-principal author of the new AFP Modernization Law in the Senate, along with Senator Panfilo Lacson.

"The original law, RA 7898, was signed in 1995. However, after billions of pesos spent and more than 15 years later, the present AFP is still a far cry from the modern, professional force capable of containing internal security threats and external defense risks that it envisioned itself to be," lamented Trillanes, who was also present during the signing ceremony.

Under the program, major upgrade of weapon and non-weapon technology, as well as improvement of infrastructure, will be carried out to modernize the AFP.

"According to Article II Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution declares that the AFP is the protector of the people of the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory. It is hoped that through this law, the AFP will be able to fulfill its mandate," Trillanes said.

News Latest News Feed