The Philippine Air Force (PAF) recently conducted a successful Exhibit at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) which is actually by College Alma Mater also. However, the Event did not go smoothly as several Leftist Students confronted the PAF Personnel about the Event.

One of the Students even proudly posted publicly about it on Social Media, saying she was against the Militarization of Schools and called the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as “Red Taggers, War Criminals and Human Rights Violators”.

You can read the Posts of the Leftist Student in the accompanying Photos. These Protests against the AFP in School Campuses is becoming more and more common, as I reported before, one such Protest at the De La Salle University (DLSU) was even successful in keeping the Philippine Army (PA) from holding their Exhibit there.

Clearly the Influence of the Left is becoming stronger in Schools, and what is even more alarming now is that it is not just in the Secular or non-Religious State Educational Institutions like the University of the Philippines (UP) but even in Catholic Schools like DLSU and UST.

At the rate Things are going, I think that the AFP will eventually lose all of their access to most Schools by next Year of 2027, with these Institutions becoming more active as Recruitment Areas for not only the Left, but of course ultimately the New People’s Army (NPA).

So good luck to the AFP, because of their constant focus on “China” nowadays, they are slowly but surely losing ground to the NPA in the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of our Young and Impressionable in Educational Institutions.

SOURCES:

Raven Christine Racelis Facebook Page Post, 04/21/26 - 0950H {Archived Link}

I just noticed one some of the Pictures being shown of the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft of the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron nicknamed the “Bulldogs” of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has what looks like either Bomb or Drop Tank Markings on its Nose Cone.

Not sure what this means, but whatever it is, it should be a Significant Achievement of the Airframe. If those Markings represent Drop Tanks, I think that they Symbolically mean the Number of Actual Combat Missions the Aircraft has undertaken.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that the Aircraft dropped a Drop Tank for each of those Missions, its just a Representation of those Missions.

Now if the Markings are Bombs instead, then I noticed that they are Conventional Bombs, but could represent the Number of both Conventional and Guided Bombs it has dropped so far. Whatever it is, I hope the PAF clarifies it soon, because it does indicate a very interesting Record of Achievement by this Particular Airframe.

I can’t see the Aircraft Number on these Photos, but based on the other accompanying Photos, it seems to be the one with the Airframe Number “012”.

SOURCES:

5th Fighter Wing Facebook Page Post, 07/22/25 - 2052H {Archived Link}

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) recently reactivated its 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron (6TFS) of the 5th Fighter Wing with the nickname, "Cobras". It was deactivated two Decades ago, in 2005 when the PAF retired its F-5 Freedom Fighter Aircraft Fleet.

The Squadron has a rich History, aside from the F-5 it also flew the F-86 Sabre Aircraft, and was once the Home of the "Blue Diamonds" Aerobatic Team.

Here is the Link where the original Pictures were obtained: https://web.facebook.com/5thFighterWingPAF/posts/pfbid02qwXjN7qhkYTXifcypYzFuHeuJUmnBQJqsR3je7cv1UQ5u1W95bULu7GS89vTJ2c5l

MY THOUGHTS: Glad to see this Squadron reactivated again. The PAF hasn’t announced it yet, but the timing of its reactivation followed the also recent acquisition of a dozen FA-50 Block 70 Aircraft, indicating that they will likely be the Home of these new Aircraft when they are delivered.

So the Squadron went from operating the F-86, then the F-5 and now the FA-50 Blk 70. Currently the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron (7TFS) nicknamed the “Bulldogs” is the one operating the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft.

The Chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Lieutenant General Arthur Cordova, recently told the Press that the PAF will not be able to match China's Air Force even after a couple of Decades, and that the Decision for their acquisition of Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft will be made soon.

Quoting from him directly, "If we are comparing ourselves to the Threat in the Region, let’s say China, we cannot be at par with China even 10 to 20 Years from now, that’s the reality here. They will think twice if you have GBADS (Ground-based Air Defense System), if you have Shooters, if you have Multi-Role Fighters".

Regarding their MRF, he said, "it’s already waiting a decision from our Department (DND) and it will be very soon".

MY THOUGHTS: I think it’s great that we have a PAF Chief that is pragmatic or realistic enough to admit our Limits as a Country, but I do feel a bit sorry for him now since I am almost sure that the Doggie “Arf-Arfs” of the United States (US) will start going after him for saying this.

The US and their Dogs wants our Country to continuously hate China so we will willingly help in the Defense of Taiwan since the Philippines is the next nearest Country to Taiwan after China.

As per the 2025 World’s Air Forces List of the Flight Global Website, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China has 120 H-6 long-range Bomber Aircraft, 387 J-7 Fighter Bomber Aircraft, 319 Flanker-type Air Superiority Aircraft and another 246 J-10 Vigorous Dragon Multi-Role Aircraft in its Inventory.

As for the MRF Decision coming soon, that is very good News indeed, finally after at least a Decade or so of waiting, we will finally get it. And as I said before, I think it is believable this time around as I suspect that they are timing this so it will be included as an “Accomplishment” in Bong Bong Marcos’ (BBM) upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), which will be at the end of next Month of July 2025.

SOURCES:

‘The Reality is, PH can’t match China’s Air Force’ {Archived Link}

The Chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura told the Press recently that the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft that they will choose must be able to Land and Operate on Short Runways.

Directly quoting some of what he said, "The Specifications, I need not go to the Details but in Terms of our Selection for MRF, the CADC, our Defense Campaign Plan, our Concept for Defense entails Projection so we need to be able to exhibit credible defense in our EEZ".

He mentioned that having the Capability to land on Short or Small Runways allows quick response and flexibility in deploying these proposed MRFs, and that the MRFs "should cater to more Asymmetric Capabilities".

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Philippine News Agency (PNA)” Website: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252884

MY THOUGHTS: From what I can tell, the PAF Chief seems to be hinting of getting, or at least preferring the JAS-39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft for their MRF. All of the important “Catch Phrases” related to the Marketing of the Gripen are there, like “Short Runway Capability” and “Asymmetric Capability”.

To be Fair, other Aircraft like the F-16C Fighting Falcon and F-2 Viper Zero are able to do these also, but not at same Level as that the of the Gripen since those Capabilities are deeply embedded into the Gripen’s Design. Now if they do go out and get the Gripen, I wonder how the United States (US) President Donald Trump will react?

He was clearly hinting for the Philippines to get their F-16C Aircraft, having it approved for Sale even if the Philippines didn’t ask them, reportedly. Trump could in response deny deployment of more of their Missiles here in the Philippines.

I think though that the Philippines might hope to calm Trump down if that happens by buying other US-made Weapons Systems like the Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC), the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and Others also.

The first of two ATR 72-600 Long Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) was spotted in Italy recently by two International Planespotting Websites. The Contract for these was signed in July of 2023, and the first is scheduled for Delivery in the Middle of this Year of 2025, so it seems that it is right on Schedule.

With the Aircraft already flying there in Italy, I expect it to be delivered soon, and this seems to be the first Asset of the Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be delivered whose Contract was signed under the current Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM).

SOURCES:

Airliners Aviation Photo #7856665 ATR ATR-72-600MP - Philippines - Air Force {Archived Link}