President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has assured the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that his administration will catch up with the AFP modernization following the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (ALFRED FRIAS/JOEY RAZON/ NIB-PNA)

Marcos said this after gracing the graduation ceremony of the Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course "Gaigmat" Class 58-2023 in Taguig City on July 7.

In a media interview, the President said the government was back on track after he was asked about the status of the AFP Modernization Plan.

"Kung ano yung schedule natin medyo naatras lang nang kaunti (Our schedule was a bit delayed) because of the pandemic. But now, we are proceeding back to our established schedule," he said.

Marcos, also the commander-in-chief, vowed that the AFP modernization efforts would catch up with the government's intended schedule in a few years.

"Hopefully, we will catch up, and in a year, maybe two, we will already be back to where we were supposed to be at that time before the pandemic," he said.

The President said he had discussions with the commanders of the AFP, particularly with the Chief of Staff, because of the need to address the present challenges the country faces.

Marcos said that those meetings would best guide the government on what it should procure to meet the AFP's needs, noting the importance of training the members of the security forces.

The AFP has revised its military acquisition plan in line with its ongoing modernization program, with Horizon 3 starting this year.

The final phase of the modernization thrust will run starting this year until 2028 and will include the acquisition of equipment geared for external defense.