An infrastructure-oriented thinktank urged President Rodrigo Duterte to avoid any defense activities with the United States until the termination of the US-PH Visiting Forces Agreement is formally lifted by Manila.

“The current status of VFA termination is merely a suspension, and not a formal lifting by Philippine authorities. As such, the President should not allow any defense activities with Washington, including military exercises, military procurement and base development, at this time. All exercises and procurement should remain suspended until the termination is lifted.” 

This was the statement of Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH convenor and former petitioner against the US-PH Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Clarify policy on US military equipment ban

Ridon said the President should clarify whether he is open to purchasing US military equipment again.

“While he had said in June 2019 that he was reconsidering the purchase of US military equipment, he had also announced the termination of then VFA early this year, only to reconsider once again. For clarity of policy, the President should address this question once again.”

Old, used equipment

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Ridon cautioned the President against considering the same military procurement policy as before, saying that the country’s is being sent old and used military equipment and technology.

“The President should learn the lesson of previous governments. When we procured from the frigate BRP Gregorio del Pilar, it was a refurbished US Coast Guard Vessel, built fifty years ago. We cannot assert sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea on 1960s technology.”

Excess defense articles

During Mr. Duterte’s term, there had been seventeen requests for military equipment from the United States amounting to $27 Million through the Excess Defense Articles program of the US government. The request includes military aircraft, artillery and vehicles. 

“While the savings for these items amount to sixty percent of original price, it should be remembered that these are used items already. Even if these equipment will be refurbished, the level of service will be incomparable to new equipment.”

Ridon said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s decision to procure Turkish ATAK helicopters is a step towards the right direction.

“In order to credibly defend our interests in the West Philippine Sea, we cannot rely on old equipment and technology. We might as well give up our claims over these areas if we will insist on using obsolete technology.”