While tensions in the West Philippine Sea highlight the country’s need for modern weapons, it does not give the government the excuse to go into panic buying for defense equipment, Senator Chiz Escudero said today.
“It is expected that arms merchants are beating a path to our door because they sense sales opportunity from a crisis. But we should be picky buyers because we don’t have unlimited money,” Escudero said. “Parang paalala sa pagbili ng gamot. Piliin kung ano ang mabisa at abot-kaya. Huwag pabudol sa quack medicine.”
The Bicolano senator reminded the government not to let its desperation lower its guard when shopping for defense material.
“Smart buying is the key because we don’t have the resources to engage in an arms race. Magkano ba ang sticker price ng isang barko? Bilyun-bilyon. Hindi naman online shopping iyan na swipe, and add to cart. We have Rolls Royce dreams on a tricycle budget,” he pointed out.
Escudero shared that he is seeing a fad in the highest policy circles, egging us to boost our defense posture without providing ways how to finance it.
“Will we be using the money for farms or to buy arms? Huwag naman po sana. Hunger is a more dangerous enemy,” he said.
Another thing to be considered, he said, is the country’s pathetic lack of planes, boats, and motor vehicles to respond to challenges like calamities within our territory.
Hence, the veteran legislator urged the government to consider “dual use” assets that can be used during military operations as well as rescue and relief operations in times of calamities.
“May lumubog na bangka sa Laguna Bay, wala man lang tayong air rescue capability sa isang lugar na malapit lang sa Manila. Wala ngang modernong Coast Guard boat doon,” he lamented.
“Ganoon din sa ngayo’y Great Lake of Central Luzon. Kailangan ng amphibian boats doon. Kung mananawagan tayo ng bagong destroyers para sa laot, baka naman puwede isabay o unahin ang mas murang mga rescue boats,” he added.
Escudero said he has been advocating for a floating hospital that will double as a power plant, rescue headquarters, and food pantry that will sail toward typhoon-hit areas.
He said the equipment the nation will buy must be capable of being scrambled during calamities or emergency situations where lives are at stake.
“Ang ipinupunto ko lang ay ibalanse, pumili ng wasto, at iprayoridad batay sa pangangailan at kakayahan,” he said.
Escudero said boosting defense capability should begin with the tapping of local manufacturers with a proven track of producing world-class products.
“We have excellent boat builders. We have gun manufacturers whose products have gotten great reviews. Pati mga sasakyan pang lupa, puwede na kunin dito,” he concluded.