CLARK AIR BASE, Pampanga—On his last speech as commander in chief before the military Monday, President Aquino gave his final mission order—to secure next year’s elections.
“Next year, on our shoulders rest the task of ensuring that the elections will be orderly and successful. This is my last mission for you, and as your Commander in Chief, I trust that all of you will follow only one order: That is to do what is right, fair and just for the good of the country,” President Aquino said in Filipino Monday during the 80th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines—the last Mr. Aquino would attend as Commander in Chief.
The event marked the series of farewells President Aquino is expected to make as he enters the last six months of his six-year term.
President Aquino alternately looked proud and wistful throughout the two-hour program.
The President, known for his keen interest in the military, made sure during his term that the Armed Forces would establish the credible minimum defense amid a changing regional landscape with China’s aggression in the South China Sea, even as the country continues to deal with internal security threats.
Monday’s AFP Day was the first time in years the occasion was celebrated outside military headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo to accommodate the display of newly acquired military materiel under President Aquino’s modernization program.
The highlight of the event was the fly-by of the two Korean-made F-50 Bulldog trainer jets, the first of the 17 units purchased under the modernization program, which brought the Philippines back to the supersonic age after the F-5s were decommissioned 10 years ago.
Jets roar past
The jets, however, passed over the crowd as the interfaith prayer was wrapping up, surprising even President Aquino with their strong, steady roar.
Traveling faster than the speed of sound, the jets were gone even before the audience could take photos of them with their camera phones.
The jets made a second pass, again surprising the crowd.
Almost 200 of the military’s assets, including aircraft, vehicles and sea vessels were showcased here in what was touted as the biggest AFP parade in recent history.
The President did not mention the South China Sea dispute specifically, but the equipment has been earmarked by the military to defend Philippine territorial rights.
“This is my last AFP anniversary as President and commander in chief. And today, I cannot help but remember my promise to the nation: That when I step down from office, we will see a big change [in our country]; we fulfilled that promise,” President Aquino said, stressing the great strides the country has made.
President Aquino emphasized how the image of the AFP has changed for the better.
“From an armed forces that was neglected after a decade of lying, cheating, and stealing from the government, we made your force stronger to become more modern, ready, and with dependable soldiers whose only interest is to promote the welfare of our people,” Mr. Aquino said.
The President then enumerated what the government has done for the military in the past six years: 45 completed projects for P56.79 billion, exceeding the combined 45 projects of three previous administrations for P31.75 billion.
Mr. Aquino also said the Medium Term Capability Development to be implemented until 2017 would amount to P83.90 billion.