The Armed Forces is parading its troops, arms and combat equipment before President Arroyo during its 72nd founding anniversary celebration today.
The parade is the first since 2004 when the military tradition was discontinued by then AFP chief Gen. Efren Abu.
Abu ordered all military parades stopped during his watch in response to a government call for belt-tightening after natural disasters hit the country, especially Quezon province.
Since then, AFP anniversary celebrations were held in the AFP Officers Country Club, which Abu and his predecessor Gen. Generoso Senga claimed to have saved millions of pesos.
Security is expected to be extra tight today, as this is the first time after the Peninsula Manila hotel standoff that troops would come face to face with their commander-in-chief.
Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, a staunch supporter of Mrs. Arroyo, has been named overall commander of the troops in parade. – Jaime Laude