Manila hikes defence budget

MANILA: The Philippines is planning a 25 percent hike in its defence budget next year, mainly to bolster its claims in the disputed South China Sea, officials said on Tuesday.The proposed 2016 national budget, which President Benigno Aquino is to present to parliament for approval on Monday, would reserve a

By our correspondents
July 22, 2015
MANILA: The Philippines is planning a 25 percent hike in its defence budget next year, mainly to bolster its claims in the disputed South China Sea, officials said on Tuesday.
The proposed 2016 national budget, which President Benigno Aquino is to present to parliament for approval on Monday, would reserve a record 25 billion pesos ($552 million) for defence spending.