FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disembarks from the FA-50PH fighter jet during the flight capability demonstration of the Philippine Air Force at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga. INQUIRER.net / NOY MORCOSO
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday instructed the Philippine Air Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to maintain and repair their assets so they’d be “ready to go.”
He issued the order during the inspection of C-130T aircraft in Clark Air Base, Pampanga, stressing the importance of airworthiness and structural integrity of air assets to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
“Maintenance and repair are key aspects of our operations as well as important decision points in the acquisition of additional assets,” he said in his speech.
“I, therefore, direct the PH air force and the AFP to continue developing your capabilities for conducting maintenance and repair to keep all our military assets ready to go,” Marcos added.
The President further told them to conduct routine checkups and regular engineering services on their assets for “added safety requirements.”
He added that the Air Force and the military should also provide extensive training to those who will use these assets.
Marcos said the C-130T aircraft, which was recommissioned after extensive repair and maintenance, “will enable the Air Force to more effectively conduct various missions, especially those involving humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.”
“Should any unfortunate events happen, we must be able to assess and to be able to respond quickly. We cannot afford to waste any time in the mission to save lives,” he said.
“Therefore, the existence of these air assets is crucial to ensure that information, aid, and responder are made available to effectively help affected areas,” he added.
Marcos thanked the governments of Portugal and the United States for their help in repairing and maintaining the aircraft, adding that the country’s partners will be “more than willing” to help the Philippines develop its military assets.