Aquino escorted by fighter trainer jets for the first time

MANILA, Philippines — Newly acquired lead-in fighter trainer jets of the Philippine Air Force escorted the plane carrying President Benigno Aquino III as it entered Philippine airspace on Friday.

Aquino, who arrived from California where American President Barack Obama hosted a special ASEAN-United States summit, watched the two FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter jets from his window seat aboard flight PR 001 before arriving in Manila.

The two air assets, who met with Aquino's flight above Polillo Island, were the first of the 12 units of its kind purchased for P18.9 billion by the military from South Korean firm Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI.

FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter trainer jets of the Philippine Air Force escort President Aquino while in the airspace over Pollilo Island in Quezon province. Malacañang Photo Bureau

President Aquino watches the fighter jets from his window aboard flight PR 001 on Friday. Malacañang Photo Bureau

The jets maneuvered by Air Defense Wing pilots took off from Clark Field Airbase and made contact with the presidential flight at 6:37 a.m.  The plane carrying Aquino and his delegation landed at 7:05 a.m.

It was the first time since 2005 that the Air Force performed its traditional role of escorting the president while in Philippine airspace.  The same courtesy was also extended to visiting heads of states.

Aquino's trip this week could be his last trip abroad as head of state. His term expires in June following the May polls.

"Maaaring ito na po ang huli nating pagbiyahe bilang Pangulo. Napakalaking karangalan nga pong maging kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa iba’t ibang pagpupulong—at ang idiin sa ating mga kausap ang panibagong sigla ng ating bansa, at ang kahandaan nating makiambag sa paghubog ng isang mundong payapa, mapagmalasakit, at tumatamasa ng malawakang kaunlaran," Aquino said in his arrival speech.

Aquino is met by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri for the arrival honors. Malacañang Photo Bureau

The two jets were delivered in November formally turned over to the Philippine Air Force last month. The ten other jets will be delivered in 2017.

Defense budgets increased steadily under Aquino's leadership amid the Philippines's tension with China over maritime features and areas in the South China Sea. — reports from Alexis Romero