Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner called on the legislative branch of the government to support the AFP Modernization Program.
In an interview during DZRH Damdaming Bayan, Brawner invoked senators and congressmen to support the AFP Modernization Program to strengthen the country's defense against China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to Brawner, the AFP needs additional vessels and jet fighters to protect the country's own waters, as China is deaf to hearing the Philippines' diplomatic protest.
When questioned about alternative methods of resupply in BRP Sierra Madre, such as helicopters, Brawner replied that they had tried it in the past, but the amount of supplies was too large to fit on the aircraft.
The recent incident in WPS happened on October 22, when China Coast Guards (CCG) and Chinese maritime militias once again performed dangerous blocking maneuvers on the vessels of the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard (POCG) on their way to Ayungin Shoal for a rotating resupply mission in BRP Sierra Madre.
Meanwhile, Brawner said that the country, along with its allies and like-minded nations, will continue to execute joint patrols to show unity in defending the WPS.
Ayungin Shoal is located about 105 nautical miles from Palawan and is part of the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
