“Ito na po ang huling anibersaryo ng ating Hukbong Panghimpapawid na dadaluhan ko bilang inyong commander-in-chief. Isang taon mula ngayon, babalik na ako sa buhay-pribado,” said Aquino as he began his speech at the Haribon Hangar here.
Aquino proudly said he has fulfilled his promise to the people by leaving a legacy of a Philippines that is far better off than what he had inherited when he began his term. “This can be reflected on the successful reforms we have made in the air force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Aquino in Pilipino.
To underscore his words, the president even recalled what a newly-graduated cadet of the Philippine Military Academy told him: “Thank you sir, our Air Force is not only full of ‘air’ but is now also a ‘force’ to reckon with.”
Aquino also pledged to deliver, before bowing out on June 2016, additional air force assets to further upgrade military service’s defense and disaster response capabilities.
“Malinaw po: Mayroon nang gobyernong tunay na nagmamalasakit sa mga kawal nating kumakalinga sa mamamayan,” Aquino said, adding:
“Sa nalalabing panahon natin sa puwesto, makakaasa kayong hindi magmamaliw ang suporta natin sa inyong hanay.”
Aquino assured the officers and men at the Air Force rites that he would redouble efforts to facilitate acquisition of additional air force assets before his term ends next year.
“Dodoblehin pa natin ang pagsisikap upang mapabilis pa ang paghubog natin sa isang Hukbong Panghimpapawid na talagang maipagmamalaki ng ating mga boss ngayon, at ng mga susunod pang henerasyon,” he said.
In turn, he challenged the Air Force officers and men to stay the course and remain true to its sworn duty to defend the country. “Ang atas at hamon ko naman sa inyo: Sa bawat sangandaan, manatili kayong tumatahak sa landas na tama at makatwiran, patuloy kayong maging tagapagtanggol ng ating lipunan.”
Upon his arrival at around 10:30 a.m., the president was accorded full military honors with the PAF Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey F. Delgado who delivered his welcome remarks at the start of the program.
Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, accompanied the president at the ceremony with the former formally introducing the president before his keynote speech.
As part of the ceremony, a high-speed opener pass of S-211 jets was made as a salute to the PAF’s 68th anniversary.
The number 68 in formation, representing the 68th anniversary of the PAF, was also made using 11 T-41D and 11 SF-260FH/M aircraft as well as exhibition of para-jumpers from the 505th Search and Rescue Group.
During the program, President Aquino led the presentation of awards for outstanding divisions of the PAF as well as its outstanding men and women.
Before the program ended, Aquino inspected four newly-acquired helicopters including two brand new Agusta Westland AW-109E Power helicopters and two Bell Helicopters.
After the program, President Aquino had lunch with senior military officials as well as local officials led by Mabalacat City Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales, Clark International Airport Corp. President Emigdio “Dino” Tanjuatco III, and Clark Development Corp. President Arthur Tugade.
The president left for Malacañang at around 1:30 pm.
The PAF was founded on July 1, 1947- two years after the end of World War II. It traces its lineage to the Philippine Army Air Corps, which was established in 1941.
This year’s celebration carries the theme “Matatag na Bagwis. Dangal ng Bayan. Lakas ng Sambayanan.”
