For his unprecedented support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, the AFP provided outgoing President Benigno S. Aquino III with a division-sized testimonial parade and review Monday afternoon.
The event took place around 3:00 p.m. in front of GHQ
Grandstand, Camp Aguinaldo ,
Quezon City
"As ordered by the President, there will be no fly-by
from the Philippine Air Force’s two brand new FA-50PHs in hopes of keeping the
sendoff as simple as possible," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel
Detoyato said.
Full honors were accorded to Aquino upon his arrival even as
acting AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda served as military host.
Aquino, who will end his six-year presidency on Thursday, is
credited with jump-starting the modernization of the 120,000-strong AFP.
During his administration, significant progress has been
made in the implementation of the AFP Capability Upgrade and Modernization
Program where PHP60.14 billion has been released from July 10, 2010 to April this
year, for all three Major Services, which includes the Army, Navy and Air
Force.
Some of the equipment acquired in this period include the
two Hamilton-class cutters, six multi-purpose assault craft, 113 armored
personnel carriers, three brand-new C-295 medium lift aircraft, two C-130 heavy
transports, two FA-50PH light-interim fighter aircraft and eight attack
versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters, five
landing craft heavies and two strategic sealift vessels to name a few.
An awarding ceremony was included in the program. For their
outstanding service, Miranda, received the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree
of Commander), and Rear Admiral Raul R. Ubando with the Philippine Legion of
Honor (Degree of Officer).
Presidential Merit of Medal were also given Ubando, Brig.
Gen. Jose D. Caparas, Jr.; Lt. Col. Justino T. Ramo; Maj. James Erasmus F.
Gagni, Major Xavier C Celestial, and Lt. Bryner R. Las for their services
rendered to the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
For its extraordinary accomplishment, the 32nd Infantry
Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, was bestowed the
Presidential Unit Streamer for being the first AFP unit to respond against the
threat posed by the rogue Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under the Misuari
faction during the Zamboanga siege in September 2013.
Also present during the event were incoming AFP chief, Lt.
Gen. Ricardo Visaya, former AFP chief (retired) Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri,
military top brass and all those who served under the Aquino administration as
AFP senior leaders, and other government dignitaries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=899100
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