MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday led the ceremonial blessing of two T-129 attack helicopters procured by the government from the Republic of Turkey.
The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said the two Turkish-made helicopters are the newest additions to the country’s air assets under the Philippine Air Force (PAF) modernization program.
Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino joined the President at the event.
“Nagpasalamat ang Pangulo sa Turkish Aerospace Industries at sa Turkish government bilang katuwang ng bansa sa pagpapalakas ng PAF,” the OPS said in a Facebook post.
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(President Marcos thanks the Turkish Aerospace Industries and the Turkish government, the Philippines’ partner, in strengthening the PAF.)
“Kinilala rin ni Presidente Marcos ang serbisyo at galing ng Air Force lalo na sa aspeto ng external defense, internal security operations, at disaster response at relief operations,” it added.
(The President also recognized the service and the excellence of the Air Force, especially in external defense, internal security operations, and disaster response and relief operations.)
In July, Marcos said his administration is eyeing having a “stronger, bigger, and more effective” PAF capable of defending the country’s sovereignty amid its territorial row with China.