President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said his administration will catch up with the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The President made the remarks during an interview with reporters, following his attendance at graduation ceremony of the Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course “Gaigmat” Class 58-2023 in Taguig City, when asked on the status of the AFP Modernization Plan.

“Kung ano ‘yung schedule natin medyo naatras lang nang kaunti because of the pandemic. But now, we are proceeding back to our established schedule,” he told reporters.

“Hopefully, we will catch up and, in a year, maybe two, we will already be back to where we were supposed to be at that time before the pandemic.”

The President said he had discussions with the commanders of the AFP particularly with the Chief of Staff because of the need to address the present challenges that the country is facing.

Those meetings are the best guide for the government on what it will procure to meet the AFP’s needs, he said, noting that one of the most important thing is training the members of the security forces.

The AFP has revised its military acquisition plan in line with its ongoing modernization program, with Horizon 3 starting this year.

It is the final phase of the modernization thrust that would run starting this year until 2028, and will include acquisition of equipment geared for external defense. PND