AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla (PNA file photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday welcomed the enactment into law of Self-Defense Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act, noting this would greatly boost its capabilities in combatting security threats.
"(The) SRDP (Act) this is a very welcome development for the AFP, and this aligns with our legal frameworks to enhance the country's readiness in advancing internal and external security threats," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
She said the new law, known as Republic Act (RA) 12024, would support "long-term economic benefits" and contribute to "job creation and technological advances in the Philippines."
"Hindi lang eto armas, at mga equipment (SRDP is not only about arms and equipment), pati (this include even) cyber tools, we'll be developing them in-house," she added.
By beefing up the country's self-reliant defense capabilities, Padilla said, this would allow the AFP to remain steadfast in its commitment to national security.
This newly-enacted law, she said, will also ensure that the Philippines is capable of defending itself "with minimal reliance on foreign support".
In August, the Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on Senate Bill 2455 and House of Representatives Bill 9713, or the SRDP Law.
The measure seeks to ensure adequate defense assets and hardware for the country through domestic production and manufacturing, and development of a national defense industry.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier said he will ensure that only essential modern technologies needed by the military would be prioritized once the SRDP Revitalization Act is enacted into law. (PNA)
