New commander in chief to join PAF rites in Clark

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his oathtaking at the National Museum. Image from PCOO / Facebook

In one of his first official functions as commander in chief, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will attend the 75th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Friday at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

The PAF announced Marcos’ attendance as the Department of National Defense (DND) said its incoming chief, retired Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., tested positive for COVID-19 and will perform his duties from home where he is observing the quarantine period.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said there will be an online transition ceremony on Friday morning.

Marcos has named Faustino, who was chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a new months last year, as defense chief, but will only assume the position of defense secretary in November, after the one-year ban on the appointment of retired military officials.

Andolong said Faustino, who had complete inoculations, contracted the disease in one of his engagements and was asymptomatic. He also tested positive for COVID-19 in August last year.

Prior to his assumption as the 56th AFP chief of staff, Faustino was the head of the Joint Task Force Mindanao and also served as acting commanding general of the Philippine Army. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988.

1st engagement

Despite the absence of his designated defense chief, the President is expected to meet top military officials in Clark Airbase.

“We are grateful that President Marcos Jr. accepted our invitation for his first engagement with the Armed Forces,” PAF spokesperson Col. Maynard Mariano told reporters.

The PAF will feature modern air assets that were also flown for the flyby for the President during his inauguration.

Those aircraft will include S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters, A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft and T129 attack helicopters. FA-50 trainer jets will also make a high-speed opener pass, Mariano said.

A similar flyby was also held during the Independence Day rites at the Rizal Park in Manila.

The PAF will also recognize exemplary units and personnel during the anniversary rites.

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