Philippines military marks 80th founding anniversary

Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday said his administration has fulfilled its promise to modernise the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which marked its 80th founding anniversary.

During the event, the AFP made a massive display of its assets, such as the recently acquired FA-50 jet fighter planes from South Korea, 24 other air assets, armoured vehicles, trucks and rubber boats, Xinhua news agency reported.

Aquino, who led the anniversary celebrations at Clark Air Base in Pampanga province, said that in the remaining 192 days of his administration, he is committed to further improving the AFP with the 83.90 billion pesos ($1.77 billion) fund for the Medium Term Capability Development until 2017.

This was on top of the 56.79 billion pesos ($1.20 billion) that was earmarked for the 45 projects which were already completed under the current government.

In his speech, Aquino said his last mission order for the 140,000-strong military before he steps down from office in June next year is to ensure the orderly and successful holding of elections in May 2016.