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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
July 2, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday urged the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to remain “unshaken” and focused on performing its mandate, as he vowed to sustain efforts to upgrade its capabilities and promote the welfare of its personnel.
The President made the appeal and declared his commitment in a speech at the celebration of the 78th anniversary of the PAF, which he described as “a force in its own right,” and “a steady partner in building peace and reaching those who live farthest from help.”
Being an “agile” force and “essential” to the country’s aerospace defense, the PAF delivers, adapts and does its job and performs its mission as threats evolve and disasters strike, Marcos said.
“Remember: We owe the Filipino people a swift and responsive Air Force. Today, in its 78th year, let us recommit to that,” the President said.
“Thank you for keeping us safe. You do all your work in the sky so that all of us here on the ground may live in peace and security. Let our resolve be focused and unshaken as we serve the Philippines and fly ever higher together,” he added.
Marcos also cited PAF’s security and disaster management operations, as its air assets would take off even during inclement weather or perilous situation to deliver supplies to typhoon-ravaged areas or provide support to troops on the ground.
“It meant showing up with consistency, competence, and integrity. The hard work continues even when nobody is looking,” he added.
According to Marcos, hundreds of unidentified tracks had been monitored in the country’s air defense zone and thousands of vessels near Philippine waters kept under close watch by the Air Force. The PAF also plays a major role in tracking insurgents, neutralizing threats and supporting law enforcement operations like capturing criminals and stopping smuggling, he added.
“The government will exert all efforts to provide the Philippine Air Force with the best possible equipment, training, and facilities,” Marcos, the commander-in-chief of the military, said.
“We remain relentless in ensuring that support will continue. Because we know that when our troops are equipped and are attended to properly, they are empowered to fulfill their duties and serve the country with excellence.”
Marcos said the PAF continues to grow, with its acquisition of six new aircraft and enhancing of skills through flight simulation and advanced training.
“While the people count on you, you can count on this administration. As your commander-in-chief, I assure you of my full support and concern to all members of the Philippine Air Force,” he added.
In a statement, Vice President Sara Duterte also congratulated the PAF on its anniversary and lauded its dedication to its mandate of protecting the country’s airspace.
“Today, I salute you for your service to the country as you continue to show your steadfastness and sacrifices anytime and period,” Duterte said.
The PAF became a separate military service on July 1, 1947, through Executive Order No. 94 issued by then president Manuel Roxas.
PAF ready vs threats
In his speech, PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura assured President Marcos of PAF’s readiness to deal with security challenges facing the country.
“When you challenged the Armed Forces to realign and sharpen our focus towards territorial defense, we understood the gravity of your mandate and the urgency of your vision,” Cordura said.
“Across our vast and porous archipelago, your Air Force has risen to that call, flying and defending our airspace and territorial integrity,” he said.
“More importantly, we transitioned mindset, posturing from internal security operations to territorial defense operations,” he added.
Cordura told Marcos that the capability demonstration that he witnessed “is just a glimpse of what your Philippine Air Force can do when eventually all our program platforms and systems become available to complete our integrated air defense system.”
“So as we mark 78 years of service, we look beyond the horizon with clarity and resolve. The future of air power demands readiness across all domains,” he said.
In Laur, Nueva Ecija on Sunday, Filipino soldiers tested their capabilities during live fire exercises with US soldiers belonging to the United States Army Pacific.
The live fire drill, which involved the operation of two units of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS, was part of the “Operation Spartan Strike” of the ongoing Salaknib Phase 2 Exercises.
Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said the exercises had enriched the experience of Filipino soldiers especially with their exposure to state-of-the-art weapons systems like the truck-mounted HIMARs, which can hit targets with precision and power.
He said the rocket system can easily also move around the battlefield, making it a tough target for enemy forces. — Michael Punongbayan, Bella Cariaso
