The Philippine government’s recent announcement to pursue a long-term U.S. loan to acquire 20 brand-new F-16 fighter jets may appear, at first glance, as a bold move to bolster national defense and project strength amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea. But behind the sleek image of American fighter jets slicing through Pacific skies is a sobering truth: this is a reckless gamble—an overpriced, outdated, and ultimately futile attempt at deterrence in a game where the odds are stacked heavily against us.
Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez proudly stated that the acquisition would be in “tranches,” likening it to the 2024 delivery of 10 Black Hawk helicopters. These Black Hawks are undeniably useful for search and rescue, disaster response, and humanitarian operations. But the F-16s? They are relics of Cold War doctrine—not tools of modern asymmetric warfare.
Let’s talk numbers. Each F-16 unit can cost upwards of $60 to $80 million. That’s not even counting the millions of dollars more required annually just to keep them flying: maintenance, spare parts, pilot training, fuel, hangars, and support systems. Add interest on the U.S. loan and what you have is a ballooning burden that will sink generations of Filipinos deeper into debt. Debt that won’t build schools. Debt that won’t repair roads. Debt that won’t help farmers, students, or healthcare systems. Instead, it buys us equipment that will likely be destroyed in a matter of seconds in the unlikely event of real conflict.
Why? Because China has invested in next-generation warfare—hypersonic missiles, cyber capabilities, satellite surveillance, drone swarms. The F-16, though still in service globally, is no match in this evolving landscape. By the time our fighter jets take off, they may already be on the receiving end of a missile or a drone strike. This isn’t a deterrent. This is a glorified fireworks display waiting to happen.
And let’s not fool ourselves with semantics. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin claims these jets are “not for any specific target or state.” That’s an admirable PR move. But in reality, everyone knows what’s going on. China knows. The U.S. knows. Even the average Filipino knows. This entire deal is a consequence of the U.S.-China rivalry, with the Philippines playing the role of eager pawn. We sit on a geopolitical chessboard, but we’re not one of the players—we’re one of the pieces. A piece that could be sacrificed when the game escalates.
China has responded predictably. Its foreign ministry warns against turning Asia into a “powder keg.” And while one may scoff at Beijing’s hypocrisy, the comment isn’t wrong. The escalating arms buildup and security alignments are dragging Southeast Asia into an increasingly volatile standoff. The Philippine military, one of the weakest in the region, is now being dressed up for a war it cannot and should not fight.
Is the solution to bend to China? Certainly not. But neither is it wise to pretend we can match fire with fire using borrowed toys from a foreign power that’s thousands of miles away. The better investment? Strengthen our coast guard. Boost our surveillance systems. Invest in economic development, education, infrastructure, and food security. Our best defense is not in warplanes, but in a resilient, united, and self-reliant nation.
This billion-peso arms deal is not modernization—it’s a miscalculation. It’s the illusion of strength at the cost of future generations' prosperity. And when those 20 jets are smoking ruins on the tarmac—or worse, never even get to take off—we will look back and realize we traded opportunity for optics, sovereignty for showmanship.
The Philippine government must reconsider this misguided purchase. Otherwise, we’re not just flying into debt—we’re flying into a storm we can’t weather.
(TAMBULI NG BAYAN -Ronnie Estrada)
Photos: F16 fighter jets.Philippine envoy to US Amb.Jose Manuel Romualdez.