Let us now talk about national defense. Some have described our Air Force as all air and no force. Lacking the proper equipment, our troops remain vulnerable even as they are expected to be put in harm’s way. We cannot allow things to remain this way.
Lacking the proper equipment, our troops remain vulnerable even as they are expected to be put in harm’s way – specially if they are made to shoot unarmed civilians in Hacienda Luisita – or in any plantations owned by the KKK – Kamag-anak, Kabarkada, Kaeskwela.
After only one year and seven months, we have been able to allocate over 28 billion pesos for the AFP Modernization Program. This will soon match the 33 billion pesos set aside for the program in the past 15 years. And we’re only getting started: if our proposed AFP modernization bill is passed in Congress, we will be able to allocate 75 billion pesos for defense within the next five years.
The 30-million dollar fund entrusted to us by the United States for the Defense Capability Upgrade and Sustainment of Equipment Program of the AFP is now ready as well. This is in addition to their assistance in improving the way we patrol our shores under the Coast Watch Center of the Philippines, which will soon be established.
At this moment, the Armed Forces is likewise canvassing equipment such as cannons, personnel carriers, and frigates. Before long, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, our second Hamilton class cutter, will drop anchor, to partner with the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. We are not sending paper boats out to sea. Now, our 36,000 kilometers of coastline will be patrolled by more modern ships.
And perhaps it is an apt time for our Armed Forces to clean up their hangars, because we will be having equipment arriving soon to further fortify our defenses. Finally, our one and only C-130 that has been roaming our skies for the past 36 years will have partners: two more C-130s will once again be operational. Before this year ends, we are hopeful that the twenty-one refurbished UH-1H Helicopters, the four combat utility helicopters, the radios and other communication equipment, the rifles, the mortars, the mobile diagnostic laboratories, and even the station bullet assemblies we have purchased will be delivered. Come 2013, ten attack helicopters, two naval helicopters, two light aircraft, one frigate, and air force protection equipment will also be arriving.
And it is not only through better equipment that we demonstrate our commitment to help our police and our soldiers. We have eased their financial burdens through the 22,000 houses that have been built under the AFP–PNP housing program.
We are not doing this because we want to be an aggressor, we are not doing this because we want escalation. This is about keeping the peace. This is about protecting ourselves—something that we have long thought impossible. This is about the life of a soldier who risks his life every day; this is about his family, who awaits his safe return, despite the challenges that confront him.
Defense of the territory on which the Philippines has sovereignty is vital. The question however is whether certain territories are indeed under Philippine Sovereignty us defined in the Philippine Constitution. Before we commit our forces to a shooting war for oil – we better ask ourselves who really is going to benefit from all these warmongering.
Allocation is one thing – disbursing it efficiently is another thing. Sure thingie you can allocate 28 billion pesos – and the only things being modernized will be a couple of mansions, a fleet of sports cars and what not. Refurbished junk is still junk. The cost of acquisition is one thing. The cost of maintenance is another. Nope we aren’t sending paper boats no more – just widowmakers – not because the products are faulty by design but because after these equipment are cannibalized by the cabal of Lord Law-Di-Mort – you better not be flying those flying coffins.
Easing the burden of soldiers can be improved by improving the economy so that the members of the soldier’s household have more income without being beholden to any mistah or bossing but by the merit and hard work that they put into providing value to end users.
Let’s listen to some of the beneficiaries of these programs tell us in their own words how their lives have been changed.
[VIDEO]
Now that the people care for them, the more impassioned our soldiers are in winning the peace. We consider the 1,772 outlaws whose violence has come to an end a great triumph. One example is the infamous terrorist, Doctor Abu, who will never again strike fear in the hearts of our countrymen. We also celebrate the peace and quiet that has returned to places where our countrymen were once deafened by gunfire. As a result of our solidarity: 365 barangays have been liberated from the enemy, 270 buildings and schools have been repaired, and 74 health centers have been built.
While we are on the subject of peace, let us talk about a place that has long stood as a symbol of frustrated hopes. Before our reforms in the ARMM began, what we had were ghost students walking to ghost schools on ghost roads, to learn from ghost teachers. Some of the apparitions that haunted OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman: Four schools found with ghost students; we are also investigating the teachers whose names do not appear in the list of the Professional Regulation Commission, as well as the government workers not listed in the plantilla. Fifty-five ghost entries have been taken off the payroll. The previous scheme of regraveling roads again and again just to earn money has been outlawed. To avoid abuse, we have ended cash advances for agencies. Now, the souls of the ghosts in voters lists can rest in peace. This is why, to OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman, we can say to you: you are indeed a certified ghost buster.
The unrest in the South may appear to have religious overtones – however – it is an economic issue at its core, the right to determine their economic choices – instead of remaining as show ponies of Malacañang to parade among the development agencies and beg for grants that never reach the intended beneficiaries but wind up as SUVs, a non-stop buffet under the guise of “awareness campaign” – talk about stimulus for the local hospitality industry – war is good business huh.
And speaking of ghosts – what happened to the ghost voters? Not just the ghost voters from ARMM – but the HOCUS-PCOS, too. If the Vice-President is proven illegitimate by the current DOT Secretary, shouldn’t we look into the possibility that… are you ready to go there? 
What we have replaced these phantoms with: real housing, bridges, and learning centers for Badjaos in Basilan. Community-based hatcheries, nets, materials to grow seaweeds, and seedlings that have benefited 2,588 fishermen. Certified seeds, gabi seedlings, cassava, rubber, and trees that are bearing fruit for 145,121 farmers. And this is only the beginning. 183 million pesos has been set aside for the fire stations; 515 million pesos for clean drinking water; 551.9 million pesos for health-care equipment; 691.9 million pesos for daycare centers; and 2.85 billion pesos for the roads and bridges across the region. These are just some of the things that will be afforded by the aggregate 8.59 billion pesos the national government has granted the ARMM. Also, allow me to clarify: this does not include the yearly support that they receive, which in 2012 reached 11.7 billion pesos.
Trade and investments drive growth. The question really is whether government should lead that growth – or should it be private sector led? There are a lot of private foundations in the Middle East and in Asia that are willing to provide direct economic exchanges with the people of Sulu.
However – government always manages to get in the way with all its scams and rackets – including kidnap for ransom. Instead of opening Sulu’s economy to jobs and trade, the Philippine government instead seeks to create wards of the state. They will be made to plant varieties that the state says they should plant. Their products will be bought by companies referred by the state. Guess which companies will do the buying? Do I hear KKK? 
Under an open economy – 100% foreign-owned companies can invest in housing, bridges, learning centers, hatcheries, seaweed nurseries, jobs for farmers. 100% owned FDI – from the financial centers of Dubai and Jeddah – or our neighbors in Brunei are still awash with petrodollars – billions of pesos will be loose change to the Arabian investors – at no cost to taxpayers – AND revenue to the government. An open economy also allows the residents of Sulu to be co-investors and trade with anyone they want without being intruded upon by protectionist regulations – or moronic regulations whose only intent really is to get more money for “the chosen ones”
The Philippines has a phantom government. One that always speaks of intending to commit to free markets – but resorts to the most anti-free market protectionist measure in its constitution to bat – that’s a phantom of “it’s fun to do business in the Philippines”.
All that money spent on Sulu? – that’s the Philippine welfare state at work! All expenses paid for by government – who got the money from – local taxpayers – and foreign taxpayers too. Open markets provide more than what any amount of public spending can do in Sulu.
It is only the beginning of the welfare state in Sulu. For every piece of seedling, kilometer of roads, gallons of water, construction and the like – there is money to be made by government – and government’s preferred suppliers – competition be damned, tax payers be damned, markets be damned. It is not the beginning – but a continuation of the plunder of the citizens of the Philippines. Hell no, the Moros will not be exempted from the plunder of government and its vested interests – from Aparri to Jolo.
The rape of the Philippine economy continues as it is being transformed into the Yellow Hermit Kingdom.
(to be continued)
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