Brawner: Realigned CIF to AFP may go to military assets, improved Phl defense posture

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is planning to procure military assets and platforms that would help improve the country's defense posture in the West Philippine Sea, military Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. bared Wednesday.

Asked about his opinion that Congress would push through in realigning confidential and intelligence funds of some civilian agencies to AFP, Brawner said they are eyeing to augment the budget for the military's ongoing modernization program.

"So far, we haven't seen the final version of our budget but the Congress both in Senate and House of Representatives have promised to increase are funds in the AFP, particularly those funds that will be utilized for the WPS," he said in an interview over the state-run Radyo Pilipinas.

"We don't know yet where the funds will be coming from or whether it will come from CIFs of other agencies, but we are holding onto the promises of these lawmakers who have control to the government purse, they said they will be increased of budget, specifically for the WPS," he added.

Brawner said the AFP targets to procure multi-roles jet fighters, combat drones, and essential combat aircraft.

They are also eyeing additional vessels for the Philippine Navy amid the increasing unease in the WPS.

"We need these, especially we need to develop further our occupied features in the WPS, including the establishment of the fishermen's wharf and haven they can use during typhoons," said Brawner.

The AFP chief also noted the need to strengthen the country's defense positions in the WPS as well as to improve the habitability of the BRP Sierra Madre grounded in the Ayungin Shoal.

Last month, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the chamber wants to reallocate the CIF and other unnecessary appropriations and give it to the AFP, Philippine Coast Guard, and other agencies in charge of national security.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives announced it has removed a total of P1.23 billion in CIFs for the Office of the Vice President as well as the Departments of Education, Agriculture Information and Communications Technology, and Foreign Affairs.

The "small committee" tasked by House Speaker Martin Romualdez "to realign budget allocations for 2024" decided to strip a total of P1.23 billion in CIFs for the Office of the Vice President as well as Departments of Education, Agriculture Information and Communications Technology and Foreign Affairs.

Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, senior vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, announced the decision on Tuesday night.

"We believe that the House is on the right side of history. We are responding to the call of the times. The volatile situation in the West Philippine Sea calls for immediate and decisive action to protect our national sovereignty," Quimbo said.