LOOK: Call sign ‘Lawin’ on board: Marcos tries riding PH fighter jet

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 Wednesday described his experience riding the country’s fighter jet as “fantastic” and “very unusual,” boasting that he did not become dizzy during the flight.

Call sign “Lawin” is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s codename when he tries 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

Marcos, on Tuesday, rode an FA-50PH fighter jet in the flight capability demonstration of the Philippine Air Force at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after riding 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

“Matagal ko nang actually gustong gawin ’yun pero hindi ako naging piloto kaya nag-take advantage na ako. Talagang very, very interesting,” he said in a chance interview in Quezon City.

(I have always wanted to do that, but I did not become a pilot, so I took this advantage.)

“Ang inaalala ko lang baka mahilo ako, eh hindi naman at mabait ‘yung piloto ko, hindi ako masyadong pinahirapan. It was a fantastic experience. It is very unusual and much desired experience. I am very happy I was able to do it,” Marcos added.

(I worried about getting dizzy, but I didn’t become dizzy, and my pilot was good to me, he didn’t let me suffer that much.)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gladly shows an empty “vomit bag” saying he didn’t feel dizzy after a few flybys on board 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

With this, Marcos said the government should continue the modernization of the armed forces to ramp up the country’s capabilities, especially in defense of the country’s maritime territory.

According to Malacañang, Marcos, who has a call sign “Lawin,” flew with Lt. Col. Malbert Maquiling on PH007.

The Palace said they reached the Zambales Intensive Military Training Area in the West Philippine Sea, where they conducted familiarization training.

RELATED STORIES:

 President Marcos rides fighter jet during capability demo 

 Marcos says PH’s air assets to help in maritime patrol, monitor EEZ 

JPV