Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31)— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday called on the military to continue boosting its capabilities for the maintenance and repair of its assets, and ensure that all equipment are ready for deployment.
Marcos made the remark during an inspection ceremony of newly-upgraded C-130T aircraft in Clark Air Base, Pampanga.I therefore direct the Air Force and the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] to continue developing your capabilities for conducting maintenance and repair to keep all our military assets ready to go,” Marcos said.Conduct routinary checkup and regular engineering services for added safety requirements and provide extensive training to those who will be flying and using it,” he added.The chief executive also underscored the importance of the assets’ airworthiness and “structural integrity” in order to keep all of their users and passengers safe.Maintenance and repair are key aspects of our operations as well as important decision points in the acquisition of additional assets,” Marcos stressed.
In 2021, authorities reported a string of incidents involving military aircraft — including the Huey chopper crash in Bukidnon and the MG520 attack helicopter accident in Bohol.
The AFP, at that time, had also vowed to review the assets’ airworthiness as well as other safety protocols.
