PBBM

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla & Rene Acosta

WITH the country’s enhanced aerial defense capabilities, President

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is confident the country’s territories, including those in maritime zones, are now secured.

Marcos attributed this to the“groundwork” already laid out by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to update its assets and operations.

As your Commander-in-Chief, I am proud to see the great distance that we and that the PAF has flown to ensure the security and sovereignty of our beloved nation,” the President said in his speech at the 76th Founding Anniversary of PAF at the Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

“ Your service also goes far beyond conflict, extending into the depths of calamity and humanitarian crises, where you have selflessly extended a helping hand to those in need,” he added.

T he President made the pronouncement after witnessing the PAF capability demonstration at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac, where it showed

Abiad, but refused to name them in the meantime, saying investigation is still continuing.

The latest development into the case was disclosed by PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo on Monday, four days after the shooting that wounded Abiad, three other members of his its surface strike, combat support capability, and rescue operations.

Marcos committed to continue supporting the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including PAF, to keep the country safe amid changing geopolitical situations in the Asia-Pacific region.

“ family and a bystander.

The Philippine Air Force’s maritime air patrol missions are thus essential in upholding our territorial integrity and safeguarding Philippine maritime zones,” Marcos said. In his speech at the PAF anniversary event, Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Parreño, Commanding General of PAF, thanked the President for providing them the resources for their modernization initiatives.

This year we aim to shine even brighter and to perform even better. This year’s theme speaks of how we shape a better Air Force for the years to come: PAF@76: Accelerating with Excellence Towards A More Capable, Credible and Sustainable Force,” Parreño said.

H e said they plan to make the said reforms sustainable to ensure the readiness of PAF.

“ Through proactive supply management, asset maintenance, safety prioritization and technological innovation, sustainability is now realized and is being institutionalized,” Parreño said.

Abiad and his family were aboard a Ford Everest SUV when their vehicle’s path was blocked by a Toyota Vios where two gunmen emerged and shot them at the corner of Corumi and Gasan Streets, Barangay Masambong in Quezon City.

As a photojournalist covering the police beat for Remate, Abiad is reportedly a witness to some drug cases and had been called to testify on some of them, it was learned. After the ambush, the gunmen boarded their vehicle and fled toward Del Monte, also in Quezon City, followed by what police said was a lookout riding a motorcycle.

Fajardo said she talked to the director of the Quezon City Police, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Torre III, who told her they already have five persons of interest and who are the subjects of their ongoing follow up operations.

Torre told her that they were hoping to get the five people until weekend. The five were believed to be members of a criminal syndicate. Fajardo also said that Torre told her that the plate number of the Toyota Vios was registered to another vehicle.