While the Philippines has a "friend to all, enemy to none" foreign policy, it must be ready to defend it "to the hilt" from intruders, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Marcos made the statement as he honored the country's airmen during the Philippines Air Force's (PAF) 75th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, July 1.
"We have a foreign policy to be friendly to all and an enemy to none, but we shall remain alert and ready to defend it to the hilt," Marcos said.
To do this, the President said the country's airmen must be equipped with "more state-of-the-art fighter planes and armed with more firepower."
"It is my honor and privilege to recognize our courageous and dedicated airmen who are ever-ready to defend the Philippine airspace from intruders, ensure the protection of our precious freedom, and secure our islands from unwanted elements that will sow chaos in our land," Marcos said.
He said that enhancing the PAF's capabilities is one of his administration's top priorities.
He further said that as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, it is his duty "to ensure the welfare of our officers and soldiers tasked to protect our skies."
"A strong PAF guarantees a free, progressive, and secured nation," Marcos said.
The President will grace the Air Force's founding anniversary ceremonies in Pampanga on Friday.
Ahead of the ceremonies, he conveyed his greetings to the Air Force's anniversary celebration, recognizing them as "our heroes in the air."
"Again, my warmest greetings on the PAF's 75th Anniversary Celebration. Thank you for your great service: ensuring that we wake up each day with free skies above our heads and a free land underneath our feet," he said.
Marcos is expected to deliver a speech at the event.