MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthen the Philippine Air Force (PAF) through sustained modernization efforts, citing the military branch’s expanding role in national defense amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking during the PAF’s 78th founding anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Marcos praised the Air Force as a vital and evolving pillar of the country’s security and disaster response operations.
“The Philippine Air Force is a force in its own right. It is credible, agile, and essential to our country’s aerospace defense,” Marcos said.
He emphasized the Air Force’s growing responsibilities, particularly in air and maritime surveillance missions that have become more critical as foreign incursions and smuggling threats persist in the country’s territorial waters and air defense zone.
“Hundreds of unidentified tracks have been monitored in our air defense zone and thousands of vessels near our waters have been kept under close watch by the Air Force,” he noted.
“Insurgents have been tracked, threats neutralized, law enforcement operations supported – from capturing criminals and stopping smuggling operations that hamper the economy,” he added.
The President assured that the government will continue to equip the PAF with the necessary tools and facilities to fulfill its expanding mandate.
“The government will exert all efforts to provide the Philippine Air Force with the best possible equipment, training, and facilities,” he stressed. “We remain relentless in ensuring that support will continue.”
“Habang umaasa ang taumbayan sa inyo, kayo naman ay may maaasahan sa administrasyong ito. Bilang inyong Commander-in-Chief, titiyakin kong buo at tapat ang suporta at malasakit ko sa inyong lahat sa Philippine Air Force,” Marcos added./PN
