By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged newly installed Philippine Air Force (PAF) commanding general Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura to guide the air force in making it “more agile, credible, and responsible to the demands of an ever-evolving security landscape.”
Marcos made the call during the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony in honor of outgoing Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, stressing that there is “no room for complacency” amid evolving challenges.
“The road ahead is not without its challenges, but I am confident that you will rise to meet those challenges,” the President said in a speech delivered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
“To the men and women of the Philippine Air Force, your service is a source of immense pride for our country. Under this new leadership, you may continue to reach even greater heights, embodying the principles of honor, duty, [and] excellence.”
Marcos assured the PAF that the continued modernization of the armed forces remains a priority of his administration to empower them and boost their capabilities as they defend and protect the country.
This, as he acknowledged the PAF’s crucial role as “a beacon of strength, a protector of the values that we hold dear, and the symbol of hope for our people.”
“These times call for vigilance and for resolve. There is no room for complacency, for any pause in our efforts to risk compromising the safety and welfare of the Filipino people,” Marcos said.
Gen. Cordura’s latest appointment was as vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, Cordura graduated cum laude and in the top 10 of his class.
He is a member of the PAF Flying School Class of 1992, graduating as Top 3 among 65 student pilots.
Cordura joined the 15th Strike Wing and attained all levels of flight qualifications from Combat Crew Training Pilot, Element Lead Training Pilot, and Instructor Pilot of the MD-520 Military Gunship.
He also held various key positions in his military career, including vice commander and chief of air staff of the PAF; commander of Air Force Reserve Command; deputy commander of the Tactical Operations Command – Mindanao; deputy wing commander of the 520th Air Base Wing, and wing commander of the 520th Air Base Wing.
Cordura also became the chief of Air Force Strategic Management Office; assistant chief of Air Staff for Personnel, A-1; group commander of Tactical Operations Group 1; and commandant of PAF Officer School.
Parreño’s watch
Meanwhile, Marcos honored Parreño, emphasizing the outgoing PAF chief’s excellence that has inspired Air Force personnel to “embrace the ideals of competence, professionalism, and responsiveness.”
“Today, we stand together to honor a leader who has served our nation with unparalleled distinction. Lieutenant General Stephen Parreño, as Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, has led this institution to soar to new heights over the past two years,” Marcos said. “The legacy of your leadership is etched in the achievements of the Philippine Air Force under your watch.”
Marcos said Parreño’s tenure has marked significant strides in capability enhancement for the air force.
He lauded Parreño for his significant contributions to the PAF, particularly the 2,500 flying hours dedicated to external defense and 450 maritime patrol missions in strengthening the country’s territorial integrity and protecting the exclusive economic zone.
“These are not just records. They represent vigilance, determination, and an unwavering resolve to safeguard our airspace. In these efforts, our skilled pilots have remained resolute, intercepting threats [and] monitoring unidentified tracks that encroach upon our airspace,” Marcos said.
Marcos also recognized Parreño’s leadership in addressing multifaceted threats by carrying out 119 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
He added that in times of crisis, Parreño led the PAF in rescuing 320 trafficked individuals from exploitation, and confiscated illegal goods worth millions of pesos.
He also noted that through over 324 humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions, the PAF transported 1.4 million pounds of essential supplies and conducted 200 aeromedical operations, saving many, many lives.
“The Air Force has also been a stalwart partner of this Administration in times of crisis, embodying the highest ideals of the service,” Marcos said.
Parreño, the 39th chief of the PAF, held several key positions within the Air Force, including vice commander, chief of air staff, and chief of the PAF Inspector General, among others.
He is a member of the PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 and graduated as class salutatorian.