Weekly Digest
PHILIPPINE OUTLOOK
March 11, 2025 Philippine Outlook
The Air Force lifts administrative grounding of FA-50 aircrafts. Philippines hosts top army meeting of CORE 4 nations. Latest BRP Sierra Madre resupply mission a success.
REGIONAL UPDATE
Regional Update | July 15, 2025
Italian aerospace company will be providing Philippine Navy with naval helicopters, meanwhile Japan has recently completed a flight test of a hybrid-powered unmannned aerial vehicle. US and India deepen their defense cooperation as India seeks to procure US F-35s.
The military modernization fund faces big challenges
The Philippines needs more than 2 trillion pesos to build a minimum credible defense capability and project power within its maritime zone.
Congress has not provided the defense and military establishments with enough funding for its 15-year, three-phase military modernization program, according to a senior defense official.
For instance, Congress has only allocated 50 billion pesos under a special-purpose fund for the 2026 military modernization program.Â
The senior defense official said there would be a 15 billion peso increase from 2025.
PODCAST
Episode 3: Corruption’s impact on Philippine defense
In the third episode of API Podcast, we meet again with our resident columnists veteran journalist Rodney Jaleco and security expert Ret. Col Dencio Acop to discuss the impact of corruption and the complicity of some military officers on Philippine external security.
Editor’s Picks
REGIONAL TOP STORY
India–US 10-year defence pact: A power balance shift in South Asia
The pact, one of the most comprehensive military arrangements between the two countries, comes at a time when South Asia’s strategic equations are shifting rapidly, shaped by China’s expanding footprint, Pakistan’s alignment with Beijing, and India’s ambitions for regional leadership.
PHILIPPINES TOP STORY
DND looks for funds to acquire six new ASW helicopters
The Department of National Defense requested Congress to allocate more funds to procure six new anti-submarine helicopters for the Navy, as it anticipated delivery of at least eight new vessels by 2028.
Opinion
A Dysfunctional Leader is a Nation’s Worst Nightmare
In 1986, Filipinos thought they had lived through the worst presidency ever. Well, they were wrong because thirty years later, even the public ills and atrocities attributed to the regime of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. would be topped by Duterte.
Having a Dysfunctional Government is a Nation’s Worst Trouble
Adopting De-Marcosification post-EDSA was easy, but it did not solve even the problems that already existed in the Philippines when Marcos Sr. took office in 1966.
A template for regime change
Changing a corrupt regime will not succeed without one of the three most critical ingredients – the people, the church, and the military.
Latest Stories
DND looks for funds to acquire six new ASW helicopters
The Department of National Defense requested Congress to allocate more funds to procure six new anti-submarine helicopters for the Navy, as it anticipated delivery of at least eight new vessels by 2028.
The US is upgrading an operating naval base in Palawan
The United States said it plans to upgrade a naval base in the western Palawan island, which is crucial to the Philippines’ South China Sea operations, including resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.
Asia-Pacific Insights officially launches
The biweekly online publication, which specializes in delivery cutting-edge analysis on security issues, is also headed by Mogato, who serves as its editor-in-chief. API’s resident contributors are former intelligence officer and West Point graduate Colonel Dencio Acop, and former ABS-CBN editor and veteran defense reporter Rodney Jaleco.
Featured Stories
Character Leadership Matters: West Point and My Leadership Journey
I once saw a picturesque book on West Point before applying for the Philippine Military Academy but never did I dream about being in that picture!
Newly-Established Chinese AI Data Center in Pasig a Suspected Spying Hub
To put it bluntly, the enemy can spy and sabotage local business and critical infrastructure. They can use the hub to inject multiple AI agents.
The New Vicar of Christ: God’s Messenger of Peace
In sum, the Vicar of Christ is not here to rule the world as Herod and the powers of the secular world and preternatural order would have as believe.