(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to make sure that the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines would be continued even after his term, as he recognized the “selfless service to the nation” of the country’s military personnel.
During the 7nd anniversary of the Philippine Air Force, Duterte said that he would finish the projects for the Air Force under the “Horizon Projects” including enhancing the military’s capability against terrorism, the military pilot training and the acquisition of more military equipment, within his term.
“If I may just go out of… I am hoping and praying that before my remaining three years will expire, that all of these things especially the labelled ‘Horizon Projects’of yours will be completed during my term” he said on Tuesday, July 2, at the Villamor Air Base in Pasig City.
“I want to leave the office of the presidency with an assurance to myself that I leave the functions, pass it on to the next whoever he will be, na sana naman he will also take care of the requirements of the Armed Forces because it is a continuing one,” Duterte said in his speech.
The President said that he was p”leased to know that the acquisition of an Air Defense Radar System and an FA-50PH flight simulator earlier this year will be supplemented by the expected delivery of six A-29B Super Tucano Aircraft and another Air Defense Surveillance [Radar] System. “
He said that the Philippine Air Force will also receive substantial assets – 16 projects estimated to be worth over P139 billion – from the Second Horizon of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.
This includes the procurement of utility vehicles, drones and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft.
Duterte expressed his concern that the next President to succeed him would not have the same priority to modernize the military, so he would like to finish the phases of military modernization which are possible within the three years of his term.
“Gusto ko lang kumpletuhin ‘yan baka ang susunod sa akin would not be a fellow of like-minded. Kanya-kanya ang tao eh. He might have other priorities,” the President said.
-PAF’s crucial role to protect PHL territory noted-
During the PAF anniversary, Duterte also acknowledged the efforts of the military to protect the Philippine territorial lines of defense in the West Philippine Sea.
“On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to our military personnel and civilian employees for your selfless service to the nation,” he said.
“I acknowledge your unwavering commitment to your sworn duty to protect our territorial lines of defense through aerial reconnaissance and maritime patrol missions in the West Philippine Sea and of course which is really ours — the Philippine Rise.”
Duterte said that the Air Force’s efforts in securing the Malampaya Naural Gas Plant off the coast of Palawa was “noteworthy.”
He said that the Air Force had also been instrumental in the government’s efforts to provide rescue and relief operations to areas devastated by calamities.
He also acknowledged the PAF’s “crucial role in our military’s internal security operations by providing air assets and close personnel support to your ground troops during engagements with the Abu Sayyaf and other local terrorist groups.”
