New chief Dela Cruz vows stronger Air Force

Members of a special unit of the Philippine Air Force execute a slow drill exhibition during Tuesday’s change of command ceremony at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. President Aquino attended the change of command from Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena to Maj. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz as the new Philippine Air Force commander. EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines — To strengthen the Air Force, this was the pledge of the newly appointed Major General Lauro dela Cruz as he assumed his post as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force at the PAF Headquarters in Villamor Air Base Tuesday.

In his speech, dela Cruz vowed that the Air Force will be “the wings for peace and defenders of freedom.”

“Ito ang aming taimtim na pangako sa bayan (This is our heart-felt vow to our nation),” he added.

He added the Air Force will not only be “strengthened to be ready to defend” the country’s territory, but also “be prepared in times of disasters.”

“We will make sure we will be trained & better equipped in times of calamities, to save more lives and help rebuild communities,” he said.

Dela Cruz replaced Lieutenant General Oscar Rabena, who opted for early retirement.

President Benigno Aquino III was supposed to have announced Dela Cruz’s appointment today, Tuesday, in the same manner military chief Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa was appointed last December 12. He replaced then General Eduardo Oban Jr.

Prior to his designation as Commanding General, Dela Cruz was the chief of Air Staff.

Dela Cruz, a member of the Philippine Military Class of 1980, will lead the 20,000-strong aerial arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Rabena stepped down from his post in line with the military’s attrition law, where a three-star general is forced into retirement if not promoted to the next higher rank three years after assuming his present post.

He was promoted to Lieutenant General in March 6, 2009 or two months after being named Air Force chief. He could not be promoted to the four-star rank because it is reserved only for the AFP chief.

Dela Cruz will retire on April 30, 2014.