By Adolfo Quizon Paglinawan

 

Our ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, has confirmed that “we are looking at possible U.S. long-term loan” in the prospective purchase of 20 F-16 Flying Falcons from Lockheed Martin.

As far I am concerned this is a pie-in the sky that would only happened if we want to enroll in to a debt trap and a maintenance glitch

The same GMA report admitted that this deal could be “the most ambitious and most expensive acquisition by the Philippines under its military modernization program, which has been delayed by a lack of funds.” 

Did you read that properly? Emphasis on “lack of funds”. This means this champagne taste for our beer budget can only happen if we draw some of the Marcos’ stolen wealth that is estimated by AsiaWeek at more than $60 billion frozen by the United States since 1986.

A Php320 billion package for 20 F-16s costs translates to Php 16 billion per piece, compared to the Php 2 billion that we spent for each of the FA-50s we bought from Korea during the Duterte administration. 

And even if the Marcoses modernizes our military from their own pockets, the F-16 proposal still runs aground because of anticipated serious maintenance problems, a lesson in history that we faced with the F-5 Tigers, renamed Freedom Fighters by the Philippine Air Force.

Expert advice

Do not believe me, take it from PAF Captain Medin Velasco of PMA Class 1072, one of our F-5 pilots whom I am quoting verbatim.

“In light of the recent proposal to acquire approximately 20 F-16 fighter jets to enhance the Philippine Air Force’s operational capabilities, I feel compelled to express my serious concerns regarding the practicality and sustainability of this acquisition.

“While the intention to strengthen our air power is commendable, history has shown that the procurement of sophisticated and expensive military equipment without a corresponding investment in necessary support systems leads to disappointing and costly outcomes.

“First and foremost, acquiring these advanced aircraft requires far more than just the initial purchase.

“It demands a comprehensive framework of financial backing, moral commitment, and strategic planning to achieve the desired air power capabilities. Unfortunately, the Philippine government has repeatedly fallen short in this regard, neglecting the essential elements that make such acquisitions effective.

“The most pressing concern is the lack of adequate training for maintenance crews and, most importantly, the pilots who will operate these highly sophisticated fighter jets. During my recent assessments, I found that current pilots of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) average only five flight hours per month.

“This limited experience is grossly insufficient to maintain proficiency, develop combat readiness, or even guarantee basic operational safety. Expecting pilots to engage in warfare with such minimal training is tantamount to sending them on a suicidal mission.

“Furthermore, the issue of parts availability and logistical support remains a critical vulnerability. During my tenure with the 5th Fighter Wing as an F-5 pilot, we constantly found ourselves begging for parts from the United States Air Force (USAF) in Clark just to keep our aircraft operational. “

In conclusion, Captain Velasco leaves some homework that General Arthur M. Cordura, PAF commander, ought to reflect about:

“This erratic supply chain has persisted over the years, leaving our aircraft grounded for extended periods, unable to fulfill their intended missions. Without a consistent and reliable parts support system, the acquisition of these F-16s will only add to the fleet of underutilized assets.

“It is essential to recognize that the acquisition of advanced fighter jets is only one part of a much larger equation. To achieve true air power capability, the government must provide:

 “1. Proper and consistent funding for comprehensive training programs for pilots and maintenance personnel.

 “2. Establishment of reliable supply chains and logistical support systems to ensure consistent availability of parts and maintenance services.

 “3. Strategic planning and sustained commitment to maintain these aircraft to their maximum potential.

“Without addressing these fundamental issues, the acquisition of 20 F-16s will only serve as an expensive display of misguided priorities and inadequate strategic planning.

“I strongly urge the government to consider these critical factors before proceeding with this acquisition, as failure to do so will ultimately compromise our air defense capabilities rather than enhance them.”

First crack @F16s

The first time I heard about an offer to the Philippines for at least 20 F-16s was when I served as a diplomat at our embassy in Washington DC.

Foreign Policy records, “In the early 1980s, the United States agreed to sell Pakistan F-16 fighter jets. This decision was taken when the United States worked closely with Pakistan to repel the Soviets from Afghanistan. The F-16 was the most important air platform in Pakistan’s air force and it was the most likely delivery vehicle of a nuclear weapon.”

But when nuclear proliferation-related sanctions under the Pressler Amendment came into force in 1990, the US cancelled the delivery of 28 F-16s to Pakistan which had already been paid for to the tune of $658 million, which translates to only $23.5 million each.

(What only costs Pakistan Php1.3 billion in 1990, is now being passed on to us today for Php16 billion per unit, with 100% of the economic benefits totally accruing to the US as delivery is only in kind.)

At that time and onto the Ramos administration, these planes were offered to the Philippines, almost free for its air frame and equipment provided we sign up to foreign military financing with a still pricey maintenance program, for spare parts, upgrades and training.  

As I discussed in the first part of this series, a new F-16 package was given for consideration of the Duterte administration, but was not confirmed by the Philippine side.

Counterproductive cognitive war

So, what is this hoopla about this phantom F-16 deal when it is clearly unwise to acquire them.? Pricey propaganda to poke the proverbial dragon.

Michaela del Callar in her GMA article continues, “Washington’s assistance is crucial to Manila’s efforts modernize its armed forces – one of Southeast Asia’s weakest – as it seeks to strengthen its maritime capability amid an increasingly aggressive China, which has repeatedly harassed and threatened Philippine vessels and aircraft in the West Philippine Sea. “

Brawner told his troops in Northern Luzon “As members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we should have that mentality that we are already at war (because) if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved.”

I think that gave the Filipino-African-American general a lump in his throat so he came up with a scenario that is not part of his job description:

“There are 250,000 Overseas Filipino overseas workers working (there) and we will have to rescue them, and it will be the task of the Nolcom to be at the front line of that operation.”

The statement is so harum-scarum it courts a red flag for a violation of a Constitutional provision renouncing war as an instrument of national policy. The very next day, no less than Executive Secretary Bersamin toned down Brawner’s faux pas, after Chinese spokeman Gao Jiakun responded:

“Those who play with fire will get burned. We also firmly oppose relenant people’s (Philippine) unfounded comments that reverse and wrong, and smear and hype.

“The Taiwan issue is China’s internal affairs and (one) of China’s core interests. How to solve the Taiwan issue is the Chinese people’s own business and others are not allowed to make decisions.’

The four-star general, however, did not detail how the military would execute that ridiculous AFP of evacuating our OFWs, a responsibility that belongs to another government agency, the Department of Migrant Workers.

Too many policy voices

In the second hearing of Imee Marcos’ Committee on Foreign Relations investigating the illegal arrest, illegal detention and ultimately kidnapping of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Allan Alan Cayetano cast a broadside at Brawner for usurping functions of the Department of Foreign Affairs, that is the appropriate alter ego of the President who is the chief architect of our foreign policy.

Unfortunately, Marcos does not correct verbal abuses and public errors of his own appointees.

Rod Kapunan, a seasoned columnist, observes: “the US sent the Philippines, with the conspiratorial consent of its president, into a “fool’s errand” for the past two years, assigning the Philippines to bait China into clashes with Philippine maritime security forces in a patently American strategy named “assertive transparency.”

That was aimed, Kapunan wrote, at “exacting a reputational cost” or labelling China as a bully against the “poor, little Philippines.” Unfortunately for the US, it hasn’t worked and now they are pushing Filipinos to own the failure.

Applying this retroactively to Brawner’s recent hot air on Taiwan, Kapunan said, “We try to be respectful of our military officers but they insult themselves by showing off their misunderstanding of reality. China does not want to be a superpower – it is (already) a superpower and the Philippines has known that all along.

“The fact is, the Philippines under Bongbong Marcos, Jr. thought it could play off the White Anglo-Saxons Protestant superpower—the real Vikings progenies—the US, against China in China’s own neighborhood where every country is friendly to China at the time China is rising as the most powerful nation in history.”

Kapunan noted that despite its growing power, China has sought harmony with all, including seeking to meet the Philippines “halfway” throughout the past two years of provocations.

Curiously, twenty-four hours after Brawner’s prognosis on Taiwan’s geopolitics came out, the US approves our request for US$5.58 billion prospective purchase for 20 F-16 fighter jets.

Cowardice and desertion

Sometime back, his upperclassman in the Philippine Military Academy, Brig. Gen, Orlando de Leon, came out with this scathing indictment:

“I am officially calling General Romeo Brawner a COWARD (sic), who throws his soldiers and subordinates under the bus just to save his neck.

“Mr. Brawner, you don’t deserve your designation as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In fact, you don’t deserve the respect of the whole soldiery. No wonder that you avoided hazardous duty all your life because you lack the wherewithal to lead, much less to uphold the morale of your troops.

“You are nothing but a bootlicking four-star disgrace.”

The good news, however, is @57 years old, Omet Brawner is retiring soon.

According to Wikipedia, Brawner’s military roots came from his grandfather, Private Lisbon Brawner, an African-American soldier who served from the United States Army apart of the “Buffalo Soldiers” who served during the Philippine–American War.

“Buffalo” was a name given them by Apaches to black soldiers during the Indian Wars in the United States because “their hair was curly and kinky, much like the hair of the buffalo.”

An article in the Philippines Daily Inquirer said the private fell in love with Leonora Unaguing, a Filipina from Pangasinan, and deserted American forces that were pushing north in hot pursuit of General Aguinaldo. He was eventually caught and court-martialed but was merely reprimanded and allowed to stay on. A few months later, he nevertheless decided to leave the US Army to follow his heart. #

Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the US 10th Cavalry Regiment of the US Army.

This nickname was given to the “Negro Cavalry” by the Native American tribes they fought in the Indian Wars.

The term eventually became synonymous with all of the African American regiments formed in 1866: 9th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 24th Infantry Regiment, and 25th Infantry Regiment.

Although several African-American regiments were raised during the Civil War as part of the Union Army (including the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the many United States Colored Troops Regiments), the “Buffalo Soldiers” were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular US Army. No photographer credited, 1900.

   

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