'World-class' AFP

EDITORIAL - From aiming for minimum credible defense capability, the government is now aspiring for a "world-class" Armed Forces of the Philippines. The AFP can only hope that this objective, announced by President Marcos, will soon go beyond aspiration.

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What the President and commander-in-chief meant by "world-class" is unclear. He also did not go into specifics on how he intended to attain his aspiration. There is no doubt, however, that the need to step up the country's defense capability has gained urgency.

These days, China is aggressively staking a claim over Philippine sovereign waters in contravention of international rules, using gray zone tactics to harass Philippine vessels and depriving Filipino fishermen of their livelihood.