AFP rendering final tribute to Noy tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is tendering full military honors to President Aquino tomorrow in gratitude for his full support to the military upgrade and modernization program.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the testimonial parade for Aquino will be without the traditional fly-by by air assets.

“The AFP as a whole will render its final tribute to the outgoing President and commander-in-chief this Monday afternoon,” Padilla said.

Padilla said tomorrow’s military salute to the outgoing commander-in-chief has been toned down as requested by President Aquino himself.

Padilla said military ceremonies will be in keeping with the desire of the outgoing commander-in-chief but without sacrificing the necessary military protocols, customs and tradition.

He added the AFP top brass as well as those who served under his administration are expected to attend. Other government dignitaries have also been invited to the event.

“The ceremonies will be the final military parade to honor and pay tribute to the commander-in-chief and is the AFP’s expression of gratitude for the leadership provided by the President to the military’ institution,” Padilla said.

Citing military records, Padilla said the AFP capability upgrade and modernization program under the Aquino administration has been the best so far, greatly exceeding the support of the last three administrations combined.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte had criticized the purchase of 12 FA-50 fighter jets, saying it was just a waste of money as the air assets are only being used for ceremonies.

Duterte said the jets – the biggest items in the military’s modernization shopping list – cannot be used to fight insurgency.

He added the two FA-50s that were delivered to the Air Force are not enough to challenge China.

“What the president-elect had said on the FA-50s and the Air Force having it simply for ceremonial flights is a big insult to our Filipino fighter pilots who daily are risking their lives in defending the country’s maritime and territorial integrity,” one security analyst said.