The Philippine Air Force (PAF) joined the Northern Luzon Command in the commemoration of the 123rd Philippine Independence Day and the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the renaming of Philippine Rise.
National Security Adviser and Chairperson of National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) Sec. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. was the guest of honor in ceremonies at Clark Air Base, Pampanga on June 12.
The commemoration aimed to promote marine conservation and to assert the country’s sovereign rights on the Philippine Rise, formerly known as the Benham Rise.
The PAF, through the Tactical Operations Wing-Northern Luzon under Brig. Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez, took the lead in organizing the solidarity maritime patrol over the Philippine Rise.
The PAF C-295 aircraft was the primary aircraft for Sec. Esperon, Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Burgos, and members of the NTF-WPS during the conduct of the solidarity maritime patrol.
The event was highlighted by the escort mission of two FA-50 Fighter jets led by PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes over sovereignty buoys or markers in the Philippine Rise.
Escort missions such as maritime patrols build confidence and assure the Filipino people that the Philippine Air Force will always be there to keep the country’s airspace inviolable and safe.
(PAF-AFPAO) – jlo
