AFP to display air assets on Rizal Day

MANILA, Philippines - The military will display 40 air assets, including its two newly acquired lead-in fighter trainer jets, during the commemoration of Jose Rizal’s 119th death anniversary in Manila.

The fly-by of air assets will be held just nine days after the Armed Forces displayed its helicopters and airplanes during its 80th anniversary in Clark, Pampanga. It will also be the first time a fly-by will be held during the Rizal Day.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla claimed that the conduct of two fly-bys in a span of 10 days would not be too costly.  

“You cannot equate the cost that we spend for this when we give honor to our national hero,” Padilla told The STAR in a phone interview on Tuesday.

“It will not be that costly. It is covered by our budget and available resources,” he added.

More than 50 air assets were displayed during the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 80th anniversary last December 21.

Padilla could not say how much was spent for the fly-by but maintained that the display was meant to make Filipinos proud and to honor Rizal’s heroism. 

“We want to make our citizens proud. We want to ignite a sense of pride in every Filipino as they commemorate Rizal Day,” the military spokesman added.

The two FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets acquired from South Korea will conduct the opener pass, which will formally start the Rizal Day program.

Other assets that will join the fly-by are 15 SF-260M trainer aircraft, ten T4-1D planes, eight AW-109 helicopters, three Bell helicopters. Two UH-1H helicopters will also drop flowers in honor of Rizal.

President Aquino will lead the commemoration of Rizal’s death anniversary, his last as chief executive and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

“This is a tribute to our national hero. A salute to the national hero who has contributed much to our heritage. Second is to show appreciation to the president again for the assistance, the help that this government has done for our armed forces,” Padilla said. – with a report from Levi Mora