WHY IS THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY EQUIPMENT SO BACKWARD? IT'S THE ECONOMY, SIR!
By Roilo Golez
Former National Security Adviser
Had we invested more on modern weapons systems the way Singapore and Malaysia have done, had we succeeded in improving our economy the way South Korea and China have done ( in 2015 I delivered a talk in the PMAAA General Assembly where I said our military weakness was due to weakness in our economy ), the Philippines would for sure be given more respect. I presented these figures in the PMAAA address to illustrate that it was all about the economy. “It’s the economy, stupid!”
I used 1966 as a benchmark because that was the year I entered both PMA and USNA with big hopes and dreams for the Philippines.
And this will also better show the comparative economic performance from 1966 to 2013, a period of 47 years, less than two generations:
By Roilo Golez
Former National Security Adviser
Had we invested more on modern weapons systems the way Singapore and Malaysia have done, had we succeeded in improving our economy the way South Korea and China have done ( in 2015 I delivered a talk in the PMAAA General Assembly where I said our military weakness was due to weakness in our economy ), the Philippines would for sure be given more respect. I presented these figures in the PMAAA address to illustrate that it was all about the economy. “It’s the economy, stupid!”
I used 1966 as a benchmark because that was the year I entered both PMA and USNA with big hopes and dreams for the Philippines.
PER CAPITA GDP, 1966 – 2013
And this will also better show the comparative economic performance from 1966 to 2013, a period of 47 years, less than two generations:
Look at the economic multipliers from 1966 to 2013. It’s like we graduate from school the same year. One’s income increased by 13 times during the period. Another classmate’s income increased by 63 times. Another by 97 times. And another by 199 times. Guess who will be attending the reunion in an Uber cab and who will come in a chauffeured Benz?
I remember when I was talking to the Korean midshipman who entered United State Naval Academy one year behind me. He told me Koreans were working hard to achieve what we had achieved in 1967 when our per capita was almost double theirs. I remember when I visited Indonesia in 1970 when our economy was superior to that of Indonesia. They looked up at us. Look where they are now after 47 years!
Had we achieved what our neighbors have achieved as an economy and as a consequence acquired the Navy, Air Force and Army assets that countries like China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea have acquired because of their bigger economy, then the world including China would treat us more seriously and with more respect. That’s how international relations is. Economic power begets military power. And military power begets international respect
I hope the President will soon focus his energy and intensity on making the Philippines a monster economic engine by internal changes and by improving our market reach by becoming a friend to all, except those that trample on our shores.
ANG LAYO SA IBANG BANSA
ReplyDeleteYes, it is about the economy. But what makes it worse is that, with whatever 'meager' economy we have (to support defense needs, for example) is exacerbated by corruption. In fact, putting aside defense needs, just look at educational needs -- a RIGHT by every Filipino, NOT a privilege -- much needs to be desired from our government in providing even basic, functional grade-level classrooms to some, if not most, rural areas.
ReplyDeleteI understand Mr. Golez references to support his "economy-based" military preparedness. However, he missed the counterargument that war-recovering Vietnam has risen to #2 ASEAN military power last 10 years, on the way to overtake #1 Indonesia by 2020 - once recognized the Chinese threat and territorial aggression. Although Vietnam's per capita is 75% of the Philippines, poorer Vietnam is frugally, investing in foreign purchases of high-tech weapons (Belarus, India, Israel and Russia) and via domestic technology transfers with 50+% saving of warships, radar systems, UAVs, individual arms and specially, missiles: by 2020 Vietnam will have enough home-made KCT-15 (from Russian KH-35) to impose its own blockade of all Chinese traffics 500 km from Vietnam coast. Vietnam does all of this with a military budget equal that of the Philippines. There's a will, there's a way.
ReplyDeleteMr. Golez something's wrong with your per capita table.
ReplyDeleteAlso sir, we are spending very little in our defense in terms of proportion compared to Vietnam or Thailand