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.
