CEBU CITY – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro revealed that the AFP needs 6,000 more troops and an additional P2 billion in funds to efficiently address threats to national security.

During a press conference in Antique over the weekend, Teodoro said that instead of acquiring high-tech weapons and state-of-the-art war machines, the AFP needs 12 additional battalions, or some 6,000 soldiers, and additional funds for the operational expenses of the military.

He said that Congress has approved only the additional three battalions, which he described as insufficient and should be revalidated due to the changing situation and threats of the country’s security.

“We don’t need high-tech equipment right now. What we need is more soldiers and additional funds for the military’s operations expenses,” said Teodoro, who graced the Binirayan Festival of Antique.

He suggested combat utility helicopters instead of multi-role fighters and troop carriers and combat engineering equipment instead of high-tech tanks.

The additional soldiers will be fielded in Mindanao and other areas where there is ongoing conflict between government troops and rebel or armed groups, like the New People’s Army (NPA).

And while he admits that the NPA threats have already died down, Teodoro said the AFP cannot just leave any previously NPA-infested areas because it would only give the rebels time to regroup and recruit.

If there is one area of the AFP that needs to upgrade, Teodoro said it would be the Philippine Navy which is in charge of protecting 24,000 kilometers of coastline of the country.

“Congress should change its modernization priorities and focus on the Philippine Navy, which is set to be modernized in 2019 yet,” said Teodoro.