WATCH | Presscon ukol sa hearing ng Komite ng National Defense (AFP Modernization, US-China, NTF-ELCAC, etc.)

MAY NAKITA KANG CONCERN DUN SA IBINIGAY NA BRIEFING?

“Yung mga briefing na sinabi nila sa amin yung mga priority legislative agenda. And base sa State of the Nation Address ni President Marcos, and we will act on it right away, I already assured the OIC of the National Defense, si Secretary Faustino that we will act on the priority legislative agenda of the Committee of the National Defense.”

SIR, TULUY-TULOY PO YUNG AFP MODERNIZATION PROGRAM?

“Yes, it all boils down to funding and one of their main concern is the PhilGEPS kasi dinadaan pa lahat nung mga procurement dun sa PhilGEPS. Kaya sabi nung dating Chief of Staff eh hindi pu-pwede yun dahil yung ibang ibi-bid dun ay top secret. So they are proposing to have a separate procurement agency.”

SIR, MAGPAPATAWAG PO KAYO NG HEARING TUNGKOL DUN SA SITUATION SA CHINA AT TAIWAN?

“Well, kanina pinag-usapan namin yung tension that is rising in Taiwan and we’re hoping and praying na hindi naman mag-escalate yung tension between Taiwan and China. But if ever na mag-escalate yung tension dun sa Taiwan, the military is prepared to repatriate our kababayans. There (inaudible) 140,000 Filipino’s residing in Taiwan including our Overseas Filipino Workers.”

SINU-SURE NILA CONTINGENCY MEASURE NA INCASE NA… (inaudible)

“Yes, they assured me even before we started the hearing General Faustino and Vice Admiral Reyes assured me that they have prepared their plans…” (inaudible)

SO, DETALYADO SIR YUNG PLANS…

“Yes, they are well-prepared.”

SIR, GOING BACK LANG PO SA MODERNIZATION WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED PO BA MORE FIGHTER JETS OR MORE…

“Maraming sinasabi si Vice Admiral Reyes not only fighter jets, marami pang mga equipment ang kinakailangan. Well siguro I will give a copy of the proposal to the media as soon as I get back kasi mahaba e.”

SIR, SI CARLITO GALVEZ PARANG MAY PROPOSAL PARA DAW MA-ACHIEVE YUNG PARA UNITY NA GUSTO NG MARCOS ADMINISTRATION BIGYAN NA LAMANG PROVISIONAL AMNESTY SA MGA REBELDENG. PABOR KA BA DUN SIR?

“Well, even the National Security Adviser, si Professor Clarita Carlos, has already proposed to give amnesty to the insurgents and we will have to thoroughly study it kasi I’m having some qualms and doubts about it kasi if we surrender the… if we give amnesty to the insurgents, siyempre su-surrender nila yung kanilang mga armas tapos su-surrender nila mga lumang armas nila babayaran ng gobyerno tapos pagkabayad bibili na naman sila ng bagong armas. Malulugi tayo, kawawa naman yung gobyerno.”

OPEN KA NAMAN PO SA HEARING TO HEAR THE THE PROPOSAL OF SECRETARY GALVEZ…

“Yes, of course! Definitely! Yes. And I will invite all the stake holders concerned.”

SIR, YUNG ANO NTF-ELCAC MERON PO BANG NAPAG-USAPAN DOON?

“Hindi e. Before I adjourned the meeting, sabi ko, “we will have a second hearing with regards to the… hindi nga nadiscuss because… (inaudible) change. Thank you.”

KAILAN PO ANG NEXT HEARING, SIR?

“Probably next week.”

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THE MILITARY DRILLS SA TAIWAN?

“Yung China still having a military drills and the same time yung Taiwan din nagkakaroon din and they’re exercising also their own military drills according to Vice Admiral Reyes. Pero we are still praying and hoping na hindi mag-escalate kasi ang sinabi yata nung U.S, we still subscribe to the One China Policy according to Vice Admiral Reyes yun ang statement, the latest statement coming from US Government.”

SIR, PWEDE YUN MAG-PROVOKE SA GINAGAWA NILA.

“Well, I hope not. Let’s just hope and pray na hindi mag-escalate.”