The Philippine government should invest more on developing locally-manufactured weapon and defense systems to improve its territorial defense capability, a leader of a civic-oriented group said following the turnover of the Controller-Operated Battle Ready Armament (COBRA) which was developed by the Department of Science and Technology.

COBRA is a mounted automated weapons system designed to allow soldiers to fire heavy weapons under cover. It can be installed on military vehicles or fixed positions and allows troops to operate heavy weapons using a controller that enables them to stay behind cover instead of standing directly behind the weapon.

Jose Antonio Goitia, chairman emeritus of four civic oriented groups that include Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, said the development of COBRA is proof that Filipino science can directly reinforce national security.

Aside from COBRA, the military also revealed that the Commission on Higher Education is funding the development of the SAFEGUARD Robot, short for Surveillance and Field Evaluator for Ground-based Unmanned Autonomous Robot, will be developed by UST’s Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.

Goitia said the weapons development reflects a broader shift in governance that values innovation, institutional cooperation, and national readiness.

He explained that the country’s long-standing dependence on foreign defense equipment has limited its ability to respond swiftly to evolving security challenges.

“The strength of a nation does not rest on what it buys, but on what it builds. Capability is sovereignty. Innovation becomes meaningful when it strengthens the nation’s ability to defend its people. Technology must serve a clear purpose, and this system does,” said Goitia.

By developing in-house capabilities, he said the Philippines takes a step toward a future where it can design, deploy, and maintain its own defense assets.

The turnover of the COBRA system, according to Gotia, enhances mobility, increases precision, and expands operational flexibility—all while reducing reliance on imported armaments.

He said that achievement reflects the commitment of Armed Forces of the Philippines to modernize responsibly and the dedication of the Department of National Defense to ensuring that the military receives tools built around actual operational needs.

Goitia stresses that equipping the armed forces with locally made systems builds confidence both within the military and among the public, who expect institutions to adapt and modernize.

He then urged the government to sustain the collaboration with various government agencies, “ “When agencies collaborate, the public sees a government capable of solving real problems. Cooperation is not merely administrative. It is leadership in action.”

“A nation that equips its defenders with its own inventions invests not only in technology but in itself. A country that believes in its own talent becomes stronger, more secure, and more dignified,” he stressed.