I said this in response to his cancellation of the Shore Based Missile System which is critical to our defense of the threatened West Philippine Sea and replacing it with P6.5 Billion worth of helmets, vests, etc. The biggest threat we are facing today is external, China's aggressiveness, not internal - Golez.

"In a forum in Manila last week, Golez described Iriberri as not competent enough to realize the significance of modernizing the AFP through the procurement of modern war materiel."

AFP chief defends junking of missile plan

By Florante S. Solmerin | Aug. 10, 2015 at 12:01am

Armed Forces chief of staff General Hernando Irriberi defended his decision not to acquire a shore-based missile system despite reports of unabated Chinese encroachment in the West Philippine Sea.

Former National Security Adviser and now Paranaque City Rep. Roilo Golez had accused Irriberi of incompetence for electing to purchase Israeli-made helmets, armored vests, rifles and other similar equipment over a missile system.

“I respect his opinion. As I said during my interview after my assumption, my record will speak for itself,” Irriberi said.

Golez said the missile project could have jump-started Aquino’s promise for the military to achieve a “minimum credible external defense capability” before he steps down in 2016.

The project was originally scheduled for implementation in October and was to be completed before the end of 2016.

Golez questioned Irriberi’s ability to lead the military based on his decision on the procurement of equipment.

“He obviously does not understand external defense and is unfit to lead the AFP now, when we are facing a grave external threat,” Golez said.

Irriberi said that Golez could have been “misinformed.”

Irriberi’s appointment also became controversial after reports surfaced that President Benigno Aquino III had allegedly been made to believe that the general’s mandatory retirement was in August 2016. Irriberi retires in April 2016.

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