Marcos wants ‘stronger’ air force

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he wanted a “stronger” Philippine Air Force (PAF) “as it defends the country’s sovereignty, territory and development.”

The President spoke during a command conference with the military’s top brass at the PAF headquarters in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“The President was briefed on the recent activities, plans and proposed projects of the Philippine Air Force,” Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a text message to reporters.

Garafil did not give other details on what was discussed during the meeting and only said that Marcos “gave his guidance and instructions on some of the proposed programs” of the Air Force to help boost its capabilities as the country’s first line of defense against threats as well as enhancing its efficiency for disaster response.

It was not also mentioned if the President and military leaders, led by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., discussed the supposed involvement of retired and active military and police officers in an attempt to remove him from power.

In a separate statement, the PAF said its senior commanders, led by PAF chief Lt. Gen Stephen Parreño, briefed Marcos, senior Malacañang officials and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on its recent activities and plans.

It said it looks forward to the President’s “continuous support in our modernization efforts to become a truly capable, credible, and sustainable Air Force that our nation needs and deserves.”