Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 7) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said there is still room for improvement for the Philippines’ military capabilities as he underscored the need to “effectively cover” the country’s territory.
Marcos made the comment during the turnover event of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) newly-acquired aircraft in Pampanga.
\”While these equipment will boost the readiness of our air force to respond to any contingency, there is still a need to further improve our capabilities to effectively cover our territory,\” Marcos said in his speech.
\”Equally important is to ensure the airworthiness of air force assets and the corresponding training of crew and personnel to guarantee the safety of all,\” he added.
The new C-295 medium lift aircraft units — purchased as part of the Armed Forces’ modernization program — are seen to boost the government’s defense system as well as response to emergency, humanitarian, and disaster operations, Marcos said.
The chief executive also stressed how the country needs to become more \”agile\” amid maritime issues.
\”Our country’s archipelagic nature and geostrategic location is both a blessing and a challenge,\” Marcos noted. \”As much as our maritime environment provides us with much needed resources, it also requires us to be constantly adapt to become more mobile and agile.\”
