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JV Ejercito to prioritize AFP modernization in 2024 nat’l budget amid Chinese bullying in WPS

August 09, 2023

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday said he will ensure that the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will receive adequate funding as the country faces China’s growing aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Ejercito said the national government needs to expedite the implementation of Horizon 3 of the AFP modernization program, which seeks to boost the country’s external defense systems.

“Given these development, mas lalo kong ipaglalaban na makahabol tayo doon sa Horizon 3. Nadedelay tayo dahil sa mga budgetary constraints in the past. As a supporter of the AFP Modernization Program, talagang babantayan po natin ‘yan at sisiguraduhin na magiging updated tayo so we can put up a credible defense posture,” he said in an interview. 

Ejercito’s remarks came after Chinese Coast Guards blocked and fired water cannons at a Philippine resupply mission near Ayungin Shoal last Saturday.

During the Senate’s budget deliberations on the 2023 national budget, the lawmaker from San Juan secured an additional P10 billion for the AFP to support projects under Horizon 2 of its modernization program.

For the current fiscal year, Congress has allocated a total of P45 billion for the AFP modernization program.

Horizon 3 of the said program is expected to commence this year.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the military’s modernization program is now proceeding as scheduled despite experiencing some delays due the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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