July 28, 2026: US Lawmakers call for Independent Investigation of the Negros 19 that were killed by the Philippine Army
A Group of Lawmakers from the United States (US) led by Representative or Congressman Pramila Jayapal recently called for an Independent, Impartial and Credible Investigation into the Philippine Army's (PA) killing of 19 People in Negros Oriental, two of which were US Citizens.
The Incident happened last April 2026 and the Unit that did the killings from the 79th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that all of those that were killed were Members of the New People's Army (NPA), but the Lawmakers said that as many as nine may have been Civilians.
The US Lawmakers also said that the killings may be Part of a broader Campaign by the AFP against Activists and Members of Progressive, Civil Society Organizations in the Philippines.
February 18, 2025: Philippine Army Chief says they are getting Anti-Air Missiles, but denies it will be India’s Akash
The Commanding General of the Philippine Army (PA), Lieutenant General Roy Galido recently held a Press Conference wherein he said that they are planning to acquire Short Range Surface to Air Missiles (SAM), but when asked about the recent News from the International Press about the Philippines soon getting the Akash SAM from India, he says that they are still evaluating Options.
This of course does not discount the other Departments of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from getting the Akash, but so far it is the PA that has been the one that has publicly stated it is getting SAMs this Year of 2025.
Gen. Galido did also say though that they are closely monitoring the BrahMos Missile Project that the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) acquired from India. I will be making a Review of the Akash SAM, by the Way, but it’s going to take some time before I release it since it seems it is going to be a relatively long one.
Anyway, here is what Lt. Gen. Galido said during the Press Conference: "It’s part of the overall strategy of the AFP to strengthen our Territorial Defense. Investing in Missile Systems will allow us to project our Military Strength and safeguard our Country’s Sovereignty and Interests."
“This Acquisition is part of our Appropriations, meaning it was included in last Year’s Budget. The Army is set to procure Short-Range Air Defense Systems, and the Mechanism to acquire them is currently underway.”
“Our Financial Capability remains a Challenge. As the Chief of Staff mentioned, we are exploring different Options because we cannot commit to a Project without securing the means to sustain it. We have yet to identify a specific Brand. What we are focusing on is the Platform and its Capabilities. Everything is still under Review and Evaluation.”
“Our Approach will likely be based on the outcome of the Philippine Navy’s BrahMos Missile Project. We will take our Cue from that, as this remains a Work in Progress. The Akash? We don’t have that… there is nothing in the Pipeline right now.”
“As I mentioned, Financial Considerations must be fully established before any Acquisition Process can proceed.”
Here is the Link to the Article at the “Daily Tribune” Website: https://tribune.net.ph/2025/02/17/army-shopping-for-missiles
SOURCE: Army Shopping for Missiles {Archived Link}
The Spokesperson of the Philippine Army (PA), Colonel Louie Dema-ala recently revealed to the Press their "Wish List" for their Modernization, and these are what he said:
- Long Range Artillery
- Armored Vehicles
- Infantry Equipment
- Multiple Launch Rocket System
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Protection Equipment
- Air Defense Systems
This is a nice List, but I wonder if they will get all or even most of it because even though the Government of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) approved to buy up to Php 2 trillion worth of Equipment for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), it has not been providing the funding for it.
Php 2 trillion for the AFP Modernization in ten Years means spending an average of Php 200 billion per Year, and yet as I posted about recently, the Budget for that given for this Year of 2025 was only Php 35 billion, which is not a big Difference from what former President Rodrigo Duterte was providing, and certainly very far from Php 200 billion.
Here is the Link to the Article at the “Philippine News Agency (PNA)” Website: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241370
December 17, 2024: SK Company to provide 137,000 Uniforms to the PA for Usd 6.9 million
The South Korean Company "Hancom Lifecare" recently announced that they have just won a Contract to supply Military Uniforms to the Philippine Army (PA) worth Krw 10 billion, or approximately United States (US) Dollar 6.9 million assuming an Exchange Rate of Krw 1,436 per Dollar.
The Contract will be for 137,000 Sets of Uniforms consisting of Tops, Bottoms and Hats which they will be partnering with Philippine Companies to deliver them by June of next Year of 2025. This brings the approximate cost per Set to around Usd 50.
A quick look at their Website shows that Hancom Lifecare specializes in providing Firefighting Uniforms, and I am not sure if they have experience before in providing Military Uniforms. Hopefully the Uniforms at least will have some good Fire Retardant Properties.
I'm also not sure if this acquisition falls now under the new Procurement Law that was signed into Law several Months ago.
SOURCES:
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