Manila, July 23 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said there are plans to acquire "500 plus fighting vehicles" for the military as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the mobility and protection for its troops.

In an interview over Radyo Pilipinas late Wednesday, Teodoro, in a mix of Filipino and English, said ground troops "need to react fast and they must be fully protected, along with their vehicles."

"Kaya nag-e-embark tayo na bumili ng 500 plus fighting vehicles para protektado ang ating mga sundalo (and that is why we are embarking on acquiring 500 plus fighting vehicles to ensure that troops will be protected)," he said.

The "fighting vehicles" the DND chief was referring to are also known as...