Noy to lead AFP’s 80th anniversary rites in Pampanga today

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will lead today the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Clark, Pampanga, the first time the event will be held outside Metro Manila.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said attendance at the AFP anniversary is one of the President’s activities before the Christmas holiday.

The event will be Aquino’s last military anniversary as commander-in-chief of the 125,000-strong armed forces. Military officials previously said the anniversary would serve as the testimonial for the President, who will step down from office in June.

Aquino is expected to highlight his administration’s accomplishments in the military upgrade program and in the campaign against terrorism and insurgency.

In an earlier interview, AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said Clark was chosen as venue for the anniversary to prevent air traffic congestion when the military shows off its newly acquired air assets.

“It will be hard to conduct a long flyby (of air assets) here in Manila. Traffic jam is experienced not only in EDSA and other roads in Metro Manila but also in our airways,” Padilla said.

The military used to celebrate its anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City or at the Rizal Park in Manila.

Padilla noted some passengers have been complaining that the one-hour trip from Cebu to Manila now lasts one and a half hours because of air traffic congestion.

He gave assurance that the AFP anniversary would not disrupt flight schedules. He said commercial traffic in Clark usually peaks in the afternoon or in the evening while the Armed Forces’ anniversary will be held in the morning.