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Towards a Credible Air Force

Remarks of Lt General Oscar H Rabena AFP CG, PAF

505^th SRG 53rd Anniversary

Amenities….

This day is important to us all as we celebrate and recognize once more the accomplishments of the year that passed by and acknowledge the contributions of OUR ANGELS here. The men and women of this great unit whose bread and butter is encapsulated in their ever-famous motto, “SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE”.

When I say famous, the unit is arguably one of the most popular units not only of the Philippine Air Force but also the AFP primarily because of its peculiar and intricate role in search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. And when I say famous, there is no doubt that this unit is being led by a truly famous officer and gentleman…Colonel Andre Tanyag…pangalan pa lang, talagang tanyag na tanyag na siya. And so this Unit is very fortunate to have been led by a person who is famous in the person of Col Tanyag.

I would like to thank the officers and men of the 505^th Search and Rescue Group for having me today as your guest of honor to commemorate your 53^rd Founding Anniversary. Even though I am a frequent visitor because obviously, our PT is conducted just in front of this hangar and my office is just a stone throw away from your great abode, there is still this wonderful feeling that exudes every time I get to visit the ANGELS. I am glad to be here and I am truly glad to see the men and women of the foremost search and rescue unit of the Philippine Air Force and of the AFP…Congratulations to all of you, palakpakan natin ang 505^th. (Applause)

ONDOY, PEPENG ET AL

2009 will be remembered in history as on one of the most tragic that the country ever faced. The tragedies that we encountered the past months were beyond description and comparison; they were extraordinary, calamities that can only happen once in several decades. Not to mention, even man-made disasters that struck our country which involved Super Ferry 9.

Kaya lang pagkatapos ng Ondoy, sumunod kaagad si Bagyong Pepeng at sinalanta ang Hilagang Luzon.

Ondoy left many without homes, without fresh clothes, potable water, food and sanitation. And worst…too many lives were lost…Too many children were left without families..and to many families were left without children. We were just recovering from the havoc that Ondoy created but a week after that, Pepeng followed with almost the same strength, intensity and destruction!

These painful experiences had shaken the spirit of our countrymen who were severely affected by these calamities. We can only do so much because when Mother Nature strike…we keep our fingers crossed…we can only pray and we can only hope that after the heavy downpour and inundation, we can recover at once and start a new beginning.

I thank all of you for giving hope to the many of our brothers and sisters…for being their ANGELS in the midst of all these catastrophes…I thank you for saving their lives while sacrificing your own life and limb in order to serve the nation which was then in despair and in agony…I thank you for showing in action the meaning and essence of what a true InSTEP Airman is all about…unfazed, resolute and never timid no matter how difficult the situation is...no matter how hard the tasks are at hand…no matter what it takes as long as it is in service of our countrymen. For that, once again, let us give the Angels a round of applause!

(Applause)

Pero hindi dito natatapos ang ating mga pagpapakahirap. Marami pa tayong haharapin sa mga susunod na araw at panahon. Marami pa tayong mga pagkakaton na dapat ipakita ang kakayahan at galing ng isang sundalo ng Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas! kailangan kayo ng Philippine Air Force…Kailangan kayo ng ating bayan, kailangnan n gating bayan ang inyong tulong …

DISASTER RESPONSE IS OUR DOMAIN AS WELL

We are still in the fight to end the problem of insurgency and terrorism in the country. However, our fight to end this war is as equally important as our efforts in rescue, relief and rehabilitation missions. On the one hand, we are at the fore of Internal Security Operations and on the other side of the fence, there is always this sense of urgency to be ready at all times to reach out and mitigate the ominous circumstances of those affected by calamities. To be an operationally responsive institution is to respond in real-time to the call of disasters and emergencies whenever…wherever we are needed…TO BE OPERATIONALLY RESPONSIVE IS TO HAVE OUR AIR ASSETS PREPARED TO REACT EVEN AT SHORT NOTICE…and this is the essence of the 505^th Search and Rescue Group, why we have the airpower and therefore, let us not fail our country men. And to be operationally responsive is to have our pilots and support personnel spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally prepared always to any given mission with safety, always a vital consideration.

Hindi kaila sa inyo na dumami na ang bagyong bumibisita sa ating bayan. Hindi din kaila sa inyo na marami tayong mga aktibong bulkan sa iba’t ibang lugar sa ating bansa. At hindi din kaila sa inyo na tayo ay malimit ding binibisita ng mga paglindol. Kailangan na tayo ay laging nakaalay at handa sa anumang mangyayari sa ating bana. And I know that you are well-prepared for this.

Although, a lot of pundits would agree that, strategically, we have a viable location that is at the heart of Asia and the Pacific region. However, despite our enviable setting, disasters and calamities are frequent visitors and it is only through preparedness, equipment-wise and personnel-wise, that we can dampen its full effects. Economically, the consequences are heartrending, leaving a trail of irrecoverable farmlands, damaged commercial buildings and impassable roads and bridges. Destruction cost billions of pesos that could have been used to support national development initiatives in order to uplift the conditions of those belonging to the marginalized sectors of our society. The toil to rebuild once more these vital assets will take months or even years, before it can function fully well and independently. Adding to this is the pain of parent who lost his child or a child left orphaned by such tragic event. The emotional anguish is too painful for someone who is just trying to make amends with life. THIS IS THE MAIN REASON WHY WE ARE HERE, TO GIVE HOPE TO THE HOPELESS…”SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE”…LIVE A LIFE RENEWED AND REINVIGORATED BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS UNIT. The help that we extend in service to others reminds me of Theologian and Greek Scholar William Barclay when he once quipped and I quote, “In the time we have, it is surely our duty to do all the good we can… to all the people we can…in all the ways we can”, unquote.

As partners of the Philippine Air Force in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, our help is crucial and vital. I urge you to remain a resilient force and never waver to the creeds that we are all known for. Nurture our assets, train to standards and help our auxiliaries in order for them to assist us during those most trying moments…so that we can give the kind of service that our fellow Filipinos deserve. And of course, I appreciate the efforts that this unit has exerted in training the different LGUs in our country so that we will have search and rescue auxiliaries ready to help us in time of need. They need us now more than ever and we have to live up to the challenge!

ROLE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Let me make mention as well the importance of your role in the conduct of maritime patrol roles in Malampaya and other power generating plants located in the western front of our country. These may be routine patrol missions but if you will look at the bigger picture, we are helping the economy and of course, our various local industries that would rather have their power requirements produced Remember when the price of a gasoline and other power-generating products soared to a record high? Part of the cause is the dependency of most nations to power-producing countries- fuel-producing countries - and of course, when you follow the rule of thumb, WHEN THE DEMAND IS HIGH and SUPPLY IS low, certainly, the price will rise. . And so by doing our part, we are indeed contributors and drivers of the Philippine economy.

Our aspirations to be a modernized and credible force will rely heavily on the economic growth and development of our country—it will be driven by these critical factors. Who knows, we might find ourselves independently supporting our own power requirements someday and be a major player in the production of natural gas. The prospects are good..the prospects are really bright…and the nation needs our help to safeguard these vital interests.

Before I end, let me express my felicitations our awardees for shining the brightest and for being role models to others. You have my highest respect and admiration. Congratulations and keep up the good work !

CONCLUSION

Allow me to make mention that ever since I assumed this most challenging task as your Commanding General, I made it very clear that if we are going to be successful and leave a lasting legacy that all of us can be proud of someday, we should start it right…start with an unambiguous vision and a clear direction to where we are going. Yet, I found out that the need to look around to find my answer…because the answer is right here in our hearts.

In order to succeed we need to develop ourselves from within…be upright leaders in words and in deeds. I am very optimistic that someday we can achieve that goal of being a credible air force…BUT BEING CREDIBLE ALSO MEANS THAT INDIVIDUALS BE CREDIBLE AS WELL. How can you possibly be credible if you don’t have these virtues of integrity, service beyond self, team player, excellence and professionalism? In order to be a credible force, you need decent equipment AND PEOPLE WITH CORE VALUES. HINDI PUWEDENG EQUIPMENT LANG!

We need men and women who will earnestly live through its essence. And I am confident that we are on that right direction…Keeping InSTEP towards our aspirations…A credible Air Force with decent equipment and with men and women of highest values!

Once more, congratulations to the Officers and enlisted personnel and civilian employees of the 505^th Search and Rescue Group. Happy 53^rd Founding Anniversary!

Siyempre, I wish you a blessed Christmas and a bountiful New Year!

Mabuhay ang 505^th Search and Rescue Group! God bless you all!