CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines—Stick with the “Daang Matuwid” (righteous path), no matter what.
Left with only 384 days in his six-year term, President Aquino gave this challenge to the Philippine Air Force on its 68th founding anniversary on Wednesday at the Air Force City here.
“This an order and a challenge: For every crossroad, keep treading the righteous path and continue to be defenders of our society),”Aquino told some 2,000 PAF personnel assembled from seven camps all over the country.
He said he made true his vow of creating and leaving a Philippines that was better than what he saw before being elected President in 2010.
“The successful reforms in the PAF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are proof that we are true to our word,” he said.
He cited the observation by the new graduate of the Philippine Military Academy that the Air Force was “not all air anymore.”
He recalled that PAF’s force was there from the start in the bravery of Capt. Jesus Villamor, Cmdr. Ramon Alcaraz and Maj. Danilo Atienza during air missions against Japan’s invasion during World War II and coup plotters within the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 1989.
He said the many examples of courage in the history of the PAF were repaid with “status quo ng kapabayaan (of neglect).”
The cycle of hopelessness and neglect of the well-being of soldiers was destroyed by good governance, he said, adding that within five years, his administration completed 55 projects to modernize the capability of the AFP.
He said good governance and proper spending of public funds enabled his administration to set aside funds for priorities.
From having only one C-130 cargo aircraft, the PAF now has three while two more are being added to the heavy lift fleet.
PAF has also received the first of three medium lift transports and two new Bell 412 combat utility helicopters. Also due for delivery are two C-295, two C-212 light lift transports and six more Bell 412.–Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon