President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III graced the opening of ADAS 2014

 

PASAY CITY, Philippines, July 17, 2014- "Modernization efforts for the Armed Forces of the Philippines has nothing to do with the ongoing conflict in the West Philippines Sea".

This is the core message of Philippine president Benigno Aquino III in his speech on the opening of Asian Defense, Security and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS 2014) held in World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Modern battle gears from the armaments to fighter jets, naval fleet, combat ships and other modern technologies from 130 international defense companies from 16 countries were shown to president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as he led the opening of ADAS 2014.

Members of ASEAN states and various security and defense agencies participated on the said event.

President Aquino said that he wants to examine all the exhibited modern equipments in line with the ongoing modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

 “If I may share: For the longest time, the state of our military’s equipment had been neglected. It reached a point where even lawless elements possessed superior equipment. This is precisely why, from day one, we have done everything in our power to give the AFP the support they need to perform their duties to the fullest of their capabilities—and to make sure that the risks they take in the battlefield are reduced to a bare minimum.”- President Aquino

He also said that in the past 4 years, his government had allocated more than 4 billion pesos for the modernization of the Armed Forces (AFP).

The president reiterated that the purpose of AFP modernization does not meant to further exacerbate the "tension" in the West Philippine Sea.

It is about the disputed territorial issue in the region and China's claim on the majority of the islands in the area.

 “Lest anyone accuse us of shifting to a more militaristic position, I must emphasize: Our efforts seek to modernize the capabilities of our security sector is to address the needs in human disaster response arenas and for our own internal defense. None of these actions are meant to increase tensions in the region; rather, they are meant to address our domestic problems and issues.” The president said

This is the first time that ADAS was held in the Philippines, because of the country’s interest in procuring modern arms, equipments and technologies from various countries. 

View ADAS 2014 Photos here 

With NEL MARIBOJOC (UNTV Correspondent for Malacañang)