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AFP asks for additional budget


MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday asked for a supplemental budget next year to sustain operations against renegade Moro rebels in Mindanao, which has been a drain on the military’s budget. The military is asking for an additional budget of P1.8 billion. "Waging a war is very expensive so we have to allot separate budget for next year," military chief Gen. Alexander B. Yano, said in a chance interview at the Armed Forces Medical Center Tuesday. Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. last month requested for a P1.8-billion supplemental budget for military operations on top of the P56.376-billion 2009 outlay of the Defense department that is pending approval in Congress. Budget Secretary Rolando G. Andaya confirmed last week that the request has been approved, although the process still has to undergo documentation. He was unavailable for comment Tuesday. Mr. Yano admitted that unless augmented, resources may fall short if the Mindanao conflict drags on until next year. "We need replenishment, especially of ammunition." He said the bulk of the supplemental budget will go to the purchase of fuel, oil and lubricant, maintenance of equipment and additional ammunition supply. Mr. Yano said the military may deploy additional troops in Mindanao in the coming months, but refused to disclose other details. In a separate interview, Lt. Gen. Cardozo M. Luna, vice-chief of staff, said more than P1 billion has been spent fighting rogue Moro rebels since early August. Of this amount, Mr. Luna said about P600 million was spent on fuel and ammunition. He said they have yet to quantify spending for medical assistance to wounded soldiers, burial of soldiers killed in duty and the death benefits extended to their families. Upon orders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, P150,000 is given to the family of a dead soldier, while P100,000 worth of medical assistance is accorded to each severely wounded soldier and P50,000 for the slightly wounded. There are 25 infantry battalions currently operating in Mindanao. — BusinessWorld
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