PHL military ready to repeat role in Korean War

The Philippine military is ready to deploy soldiers to help address the conflict between South and North Korea once ordered by the President. Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David also said the military is likewise prepared to defend the country in case of external aggression over the issue. “Matters that are happening in our neighbors are concerns of the Philippine Republic, but these are matters of the policy makers. As far as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we are ready," David told a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday. The Philippines deployed soldiers under the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea during the Korean war in the 1950s. Over a hundred Filipino soldiers died while nearly 300 others were wounded in that effort. “Your Armed Forces is prepared to help any nation, particularly under the United Nations flag to pour troops or any undertakings around our (country), particularly near our shores," David said. David also said the country is prepared to respond to any threat arising from the conflict of the two Korean nations despite its limited resources. “We will manage with our tools, even if we are left with axe. We will defend ourselves on the available resources of your Armed Forces of the Philippines," he said. David said he is hoping that the AFP can improve its weaponry through the military’s Modernization Program. “That’s why we need to modernize, and this is being addressed by our Congress and we hope that in the succeeding years, we can acquire ample equipment, ample tools to defend ourselves," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV