MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista made his first visit to the Air Force last Monday, more than four months since he assumed as head of the 125,000-strong military.
Bautista was warmly received in Villamor Airbase by airmen led by Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Lauro dela Cruz, who was a contender for the military chief post.
Prior to Bautista’s appointment as military chief last January, talks were rife that Dela Cruz was being eyed for the position.
Sources claimed that both Bautista and Dela Cruz were backed by retired security officials close to the president.
In the end, it was Bautista who was chosen to become the 44th military chief, the fourth one to hold the post since President Aquino assumed office in 2010.
During the visit, Bautista had expressed his gratitude to the leaders of Air Force “for their support and assistance†to the military’s security plan, an Air Force statement read.
Bautista visited the PAF to discuss efforts to enhance the Air Force’s capabilities.
"After the arrival honors, Gen. Bautista was escorted at the Hall of Flags for the command briefing focusing on the assets and capability of the Philippine Air Force,†the statement read.
For this year, the government is set to acquire 21 refurbished UH-1 helicopters to improve the Air Force’s security and disaster response capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Air Force will hold a fun run on June 9 as part of the activities leading to its 66th anniversary.
The fun run, dubbed as “Takbo para sa Karunungan, Kinabukasan ng Kabataan,†will start at 5:50 a.m. at the Liwasang Ilalim, Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay.
“The primary purpose of this notable activity is to promote physical and mental well being of the Air Force personnel and to raise funds for the scholarship program intended for deserving enlisted personnel dependents,†Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said.
Interested parties may register until June 7 in ASICS Greenbelt, ASICS Bonifacio High St, ASICS Solenad 2 and Olympic Village Trinoma. – Alexis Romero