Noy senior aide named PAF chief

LIPA CITY, Philippines – President Aquino has named his senior military aide as the new Air Force commanding general.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado replaced Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino de la Cruz in turnover ceremonies at Fernando Air Base here.

Aquino said Delgado has the credentials to be Air Force commander, and that he expects much more from appointees that he knows personally or who are close to him.

“Because we have known each other for so long, I know what is in the heart of Jeff,” he said.

“He is an honorable person, quiet and has the dignity to perform his duties and we can be sure that he will always prioritize the interests of the country instead of self.” 

Delgado was part of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during the term of his mother and also during the two years of his presidency, he added.

Delgado became commander of the 15th Strike Wing before moving to the Office of the Armed Forces deputy chief for plans.

Aquino said Delgado was one of those who helped his administration lift up the nation from the many problems that it had inherited.

“That’s why, Jeff, since it’s been long and you’re the one I really know – Larry whom I don’t know performed really well, so I suppose you know I am expecting only double from you,” he said. 

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima were among Aquino’s appointees who were close to him and who served during the time of his mother.

Aquino also praised De la Cruz, whom he said he did not know that much about at the time he appointed him, but that he had chosen him because of his impressive background that stood out among all the other candidates.

“With his strength of leadership and various awards came humility as well,” he said.

Aquino said he was right in choosing De la Cruz who upheld professionalism in service and led the Air Force in serving the nation in times of overlapping disasters despite the lack of equipment.

The Air Force team never surrendered in the face of violence and other threats, he added.

Aquino said when Super Typhoon Yolanda struck, Air Force personnel flew once “acceptable parameters” were present to deliver relief goods, medicine and airlift the injured to get medical attention in hospitals.

De la Cruz led the Air Force in the right direction, especially in looking after the people’s welfare and doing everything in the best way he could, he added.

The Air Force now has three C-130s, eight combat utility helicopters and 18 basic trainer aircraft, he added.

Aquino said the Air Force’s modernization will continue during Delgado’s watch.

It was in 2005 when the last F-5 freedom fighter aircraft was retired, he added.

Aquino said new FA-50 fighter trainers would come from South Korea, and that the government was planning to buy eight more combat utility helicopters, six close air support aircraft, two long-range patrol aircraft, radar systems and full motion flight simulators.

Delgado is a seasoned combat attack pilot who could fly fixed and rotary wing aircraft, T-28D and MG520 combat aircraft, T-41D and SF-260 trainer aircraft and had been a co-pilot for a BN Islander, a multi-engine passenger aircraft, he said.