The Department of National Defense is exerting all efforts to expedite the ongoing modernization program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the conduct of a review to determine which projects should be prioritized, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Tuesday.

In a chance interview, Teodoro stressed that the review is currently at a critical point because if it takes much longer, the prices of equipment and platforms being sought by the AFP are more likely to go up.

"The fact that the sooner we wait and the sooner mas mabagal na matapos ang review natin, mamahal ng mamahal ang mga gamit," he said.

"We have to build up our capabilities as soon as possible, so this cannot be delayed and we are working day and night to try to establish our own systems and whatever capabilities that we can get from our treaty partners and other allies, we're trying to converge this into interoperable systems, its critical, highly critical that we get it now," he added.

Hence, Teodoro hopes that the review will be completed by the end of the year.

"It's by the end of the year because it really includes even where are we going to establish our bases, then the capabilities because if you will increase the capabilities, you will also increase your funding requirements," he said.

"Even though this platform (C-208B aircraft), is donated, we have to appropriate more funds to maintain and operate it in an optimal manner annually," he added.

Teodoro earlier ordered the AFP and his staff to start "rehorizoning" and "restrategization" the modernization program.

More defense assets

Further, Teodoro stressed the importance of upholding the country's territorial integrity and sovereign rights by acquiring more defense assets and weapon systems that are capable of confronting all kinds of security threats.

Teodoro added he wants weapon systems and platforms to be acquired in the ongoing AFP modernization program to be capable of facing all kinds of security threats.

"Another national security goal, which is of paramount importance now, is the ability to secure the territorial integrity of our country, to secure our sovereign rights and our jurisdiction," he said.

Teodoro acknowledges that acquiring these systems could be expensive, but it will be at least "synergistic" and capable of handling these security challenges.

"The Philippines is a potential vital contributor to regional stability and security if we are a strong nation, with strong armed forces; and that is what we are working very hard to achieve," he said.

Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military organization is now working on a more strategic approach as to how they will defend the country from any kind of security threat.

"Well the secretary of national defense ordered also, not just the re-horizoning of our modernization program but to look really into our strategy of defending our country, so now we're looking at a change in our strategic direction when it comes to defending the archipelago because our modernization program will also depend on that shift in our strategy," he said.

Brawner said the AFP is focusing on defense projection covering the nine features "being occupied by the Philippines."

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, the Philippines occupies a total of nine features in the Spratly Islands. It said the Thitu Island, the largest, boasts the only Philippine airstrip in the Spratlys.