Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for a higher Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) budget to strengthen its cyber defense capabilities amid evolving security threats.
Speaking at a Senate hearing on the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies, Gatchalian said the military must continue modernizing and developing its capacity for cyber warfare as geopolitical tensions persist.
“Talagang mabilis na nagbabago ang ating geopolitical situation sa rehiyon at buong mundo. Nakikita yung ibang conflict sa Middle East at Eastern Europe. Sa ganitong punto, importante na maging handa at patuloy na mino-modernize at pinapalakas ang ating armed forces kasama ang kanilang kapasidad sa cyber warfare,” Gatchalian said.
He stressed the need for sustained funding to build the military’s capabilities over time.
“Importante na tuloy-tuloy yung suporta at sustainable hanggang umabot sa kakayahan na gusto natin,” he said.
Gatchalian said cyber warfare is no longer a theoretical threat but an active component of modern defense strategy, making it necessary for the AFP to invest in its cyber defense capabilities.
He also called for funding to improve the military’s search and rescue operations during typhoons and other disasters, noting that the AFP has responsibilities beyond national defense.
