AFP modernization efforts to get boost from trilateral meeting--Romualdez 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

The trilateral summit of the United States (US), Japan, and the Philippines will result to the fast-tracking of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) modernization program. 

Thus, said House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a statement Friday, April 12 as he accompanied President Marcos in Washington, DC for the historic event. 

Romualdez said the prospective assistance and security cooperation with the US and Japan will enhance the Philippines' ability to maintain a credible defense posture in the face of increasing aggressive provocations by China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

"The trilateral meeting presents a significant opportunity for strategic collaboration among like-minded allies in the Indo-Pacific region," said the Speaker, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives. 

The highlight of the three-nation summit is the trilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Marcos.   

"I am optimistic that the discussions between President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Marcos, Jr. will pave the way for enhanced cooperation in advancing our defense capabilities and ensuring regional security and stability," Romualdez said. 

He noted that on the eve of the historic trilateral meeting US Senators Bill Hagerty (Republican) and Tim Kaine (Democrat), and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act of 2024 (PERA Act)--a bill that seeks to strengthen and modernize the US-Philippines alliance through significantly increased security assistance from the stateside. 

Among others, the bil authorizes $500 million in annual Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to the Philippines for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029—or a total of $2.5 billion over five fiscal years. 

Romualdez emphasized the urgency of bolstering the AFP's modernization efforts to effectively address evolving security challenges--particularly in the WPS-- to safeguard Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

He noted that last March 28, President Marcos issued a statement saying the Philippines will now implement a “response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable” against increasing illegal and dangerous provocations by China. 

"By working closely with our allies, we can expedite the modernization of the AFP and enhance our ability to respond effectively to any potential threats to our national security," said the Leyte 1st district representative. 

Romualdez said that following separate high-level dialogues held last year, the Philippines and the US agreed to develop the Philippine Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR) to support the Philippines’ defense modernization efforts. 

Expected to be signed this year, the P-SSAR will facilitate US investments in the modernization of the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) by providing a clear picture of our country’s capability requirements throughout five years as well as technologies the US can provide to match funding facilities. 

Likewise, the Speaker noted that last Nov. 5, during the official visit to the Philippines of Kishida, an OSA—a new cooperation framework for security cooperation—was signed between the two countries for the grant of ¥600 million or over $4 million, for a brand-new Coastal Radar System, 

The new Coastal Radar Systems will capacitate the AFP with additional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. 

"As we confront the challenges posed by aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, it is imperative that we stand united with our allies to uphold the rules-based order and defend our shared values and interests," Romualdez said.