The Philippines has set to boost its defense budget to a new record level in 2017 as tensions stoked by China continue to rise.
The Duterte Administration is asking the Philippine Congress for a 15 percent year-on-year increase in the country's defense budget to a new record $2.9 billion.
Of this total, the Philippine Army will receive $1.2 billion; the Philippine Navy, $442 million and the Philippine Air Force, $405 million.
However, the military budget for 2017 doesn't include spending for military purchases, which the government f sources from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.
For 2016, the Philippines has a total budget of $552 million to purchase frigates for the Philippine Navy, surveillance planes and radar to boost surveillance and detection of Chinese naval forces in the disputed South China Sea, which the Philippines' calls the West Philippine Sea.
The defense for 2017 is expected to again focus on the attainment of modern hardware for the long-neglected Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force. The Navy and Air Force are leading the Philippines defense of its rights in the South China Sea against the People's Liberation Army Navy and the People's Liberation Army Air Force.
Most of the defense expenditure for 2017 is going to the Army because of its ongoing campaign to defeat the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group that has abducted Filipino and foreign nationals and murdered some of these hostages.
However, Duterte said before he became President that the money being used to buy 12 FA-50PH fighter jets from South Korea is being wasted. The jets, cost $406 million.
The first two jets were delivered to the Philippines in November 2015. The 10 other jets are to arrive before the end of the year.
"The jets can't be used to fight the rebels," Duterte said.
He also said the two FA-50s delivered to the Air Force can't challenge China. The jets are only good for ceremonial fly-bys.
"We only have what two FA-50s? Why did you buy that?" asked Duterte.
The jets were bought by the administration of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino from Korea Aerospace Industries.
