Marcos vows to sustain investments in PAF

MANILA, Philippines —   As the Philippine Air Force (PAF) marked its 79th year yesterday, President Marcos vowed to sustain investments in its capabilities “as modern challenges grow increasingly complex.”

“Be assured that the administration is committed to providing the Philippine Air Force with the resources, opportunities and support necessary to carry out your mission with honor and excellence,” Marcos said at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“This is particularly important as modern challenges grow increasingly complex, requiring sustained investments in your capabilities so that you can perform your duties more safely and more effectively,” he said.

Marcos also reminded the military to remain faithful to its constitutional duty.

The President cited the PAF Modernization Program, which he said has strengthened the unit’s operational capabilities particularly through the acquisition of helicopters, aircraft and surveillance radar.

Marcos said it is equally important that the government sustain investment in the people who make these capabilities meaningful.

He cited the PAF’s specialized intelligence training, advanced flight simulation programs and participation in exercises with other major services and international counterparts.

“Through bilateral and multilateral defense engagements, the Air Force has deepened its cooperation with allies, enhanced interoperability and promoted regional stability,” Marcos said.

Likewise, the administration also supports programs that protect the mental health and overall well-being of every air crew, the President underscored.

“In line with this, I also reiterate my directive to the Philippine Air Force to ensure the airworthiness of all its aircraft and to uphold rigorous safety protocols in mission and training activities. Our aircraft carry the women and men who serve our nation. Their safety must always remain paramount,” Marcos said.

With the President at yesterday’s event were Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo Oban Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PAF commanding general Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Adm. Gil Gavan and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.

The PAF became a separate major service of the AFP in 1947.

Marcos lauded air officers and crew for their dedication to their mission, whether of providing humanitarian assistance after calamities or safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.

In the past year alone, the Air Force logged 49,896 flying hours across internal and external defense missions, military pilot training, unit training and maintenance, Marcos noted.

“You transported millions of pounds of cargo and tens of thousands of passengers in response to and in support of disaster response, troop deployments and inter-island operations,” he said.

“At the same time, you have reinforced our territorial defense through sustained patrols and air surveillance operations, strengthening our maritime domain awareness and sovereignty protection,” Marcos said.

The PAF confirmed the coming delivery of helicopters and state-of-the-art radar systems.

“Beyond current operations, we continue to build the foundation of air power. The planned acquisition of long-range patrol aircraft, the projected delivery of additional Black Hawk, Bell 412 EPX helicopters, advanced surveillance radar systems and acquisition of flight simulators, are steadily enhancing our ability to monitor, respond and operate across greater distances and more demanding operational environments,” PAF’s Cordura said.

Meanwhile, the PCG announced the participation of 100 of its personnel in the Close Quarter Battle and advanced boarding techniques under the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2026 in Hawaii.

The PCG personnel departed Manila last June 4 on board BRP Gabriela Silang to take part in the exercise, which ends on July 31.

“The advanced boarding training forms part of the comprehensive maritime security exercises under RIMPAC 2026, where participating nations work together to improve operational readiness and collective response to evolving maritime threats,” the PCG said.  – Michael Punongbayan, Evelyn Macairan