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It looks like we’re putting our money where our mouth is.
The Philippines plans to spend a record PHP25-billion next year mainly to bolster its claims in the disputed South China Sea.
The proposed 2016 national budget, which President Benigno Aquino is to present to parliament for approval on Monday, would allot funds to acquire navy frigates and patrol aircraft, budget and defense officials told AFP.
“We need to protect what is clearly within our territorial jurisdiction,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said, when asked if the increase was due to the Philippines’ maritime row with China.
“Certainly, we need to at least be able to effectively monitor the developments in the area, particularly those in disputed zones,” he added.
Under the PHP3-billion budget bill, defense spending would be 25 percent higher than the PHP20-billion military budget last year and five times bigger than in 2013, the officials said.
The proposed 2016 defense budget is part of a five-year, PHP75-billion military modernisation programme approved by Aquino in 2013, Abad said.
The amount would still be dwarfed by China, which claims most of the South China Sea including areas close to the shores of its Asian neighbours.
Beijing budgeted $142.9 billion for its military this year.
With reporting from AFP
Photo: Army Recognition
