Flying Coffins: A Study on the Over Dependence of the PAF on US Foreign Military Assistance

Abstract

The Philippine Air Force, the department tasked to protect the country's air space is in a terrible state. Compared to other countries within the South East Asian region, the PAF lacks the equipment needed to effectively perform its duty to the country. Worse, the current equipment of the P AF continues to decrease and deteriorate due to the lack of funds for its maintenance. In 1946, the Philippines was granted independence by the United States but several foreign policies nullified the newly reclaimed freedom of the country. The Truman Doctrine paved the way for the foreign military assistance of the US for all of its allies and satellites in Asia. The Philippines, being a former colony of the US was granted military paraphernalia such as aircrafts and ammunitions. Several other doctrines ensured the tight grip of the US on the Philippines. The US military ran the show for the AFP as the Philippines' armed forces was relegated merely on internal security matters. The Joint US Military Advisory Group was created to monitor the equipment and training of the personnel of the AFP. Decades of being under the supervision of the US proved to be detrimental to the AFP as the establishment of an independent and self-reliant defense system was foregone, making the AFP dependent on US Foreign Military Aid. There is a need to review the agreements that the Philippines has with the US if the P AF and the entire AFP is to modernize. Although the officials of the P AF and JUSMAG would point to the lack of funds as the real reason behind the underdevelopment of the air force and the entire armed forces, it is clear that the US does not intend the Philippines to have a modem defense systems.