The Department of National Defense (DND) and the country’s security forces joined the nation on Thursday (June 24) in grieving the sudden demise of former President Benigno Aquino III.
According to DND chief Delfin Lorenzana, the chief executive from 2010 to 2016 advocated strengthening the country’s “defense and security capabilities to support national development.”
“During his term, Republic Act No. 10349 was enacted to revitalize our AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] modernization program,” Lorenzana said.
“As Commander-in-Chief, he recognized the importance of equipping our military to better respond to the evolving domestic and regional security challenges,” he added.
In a separate statement, AFP spokesperson Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the national flag in all military camps will be flown at half-staff “as a gesture of mourning the demise of a former Chief Executive and once Commander-in-Chief of the AFP.”
The AFP said it also grieves the passing of three pilots and three members of the Philippine Air Force in the S70i Blackhawk helicopter accident on Wednesday (June 23) night.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also joined the country, together with 220,000 police personnel, in mourning the former president’s death.
“As our former Commander-In-Chief, he played a key role in instituting reforms and improving the operational capability of the national police force to better serve the Filipino people and maintain peace and order in the country,” Eleazar said.
Aquino’s family said the former leader passed away at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday due to renal disease secondary to diabetes. (DND/AFP/PNP)/AG-jlo
