June 25, 2025: Philippines can’t Match China’s Air Force, and DND Decision on the MRF Acquisition to be “very soon” as per the Chief of the PAF
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 want 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:
April 20, 2025: BBM quietly raised Tensions in the SCS by sending a Naval Ship, the BRP Mabini to Panatag Shoal to provoke China
The Spokesperson of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, Zhao Zhiwei, said that they managed to Track, Monitor and then Warned off the BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) Corvette of the Philippine Navy (PN) recently as it entered the Territorial Waters of Huangyan Dao without the approval of the Chinese Government.
Quoting Dao's directly: "We solemnly warn the Philippine Side to immediately cease infringement and provocation. Otherwise, all consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the Philippine Side. The Troops of the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command will remain on high alert to resolutely defend China's National Sovereignty and Security, and resolutely maintain Peace and Stability in the South China Sea Region”.
MY NOTES:
“Huangyan Dao” by the Way is “Scarborough Shoal” in English, or “Bajo de Masinloc” in Spanish, or “Panatag Shoal” in Filipino. The Government of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) has quietly raised the Tension in the South China Sea (SCS) by sending a Navy Ship there, and of course by sending a Military Ship there, the response will be Military also.
Notice that it was the PLA this time that responded to this latest Incident, and not the China Coast Guard (CCG). I can only remember that the last time the Philippines sent a Naval Ship to Panatag Shoal was back in 2012 under the former Administration of Benigno Aquino III.
So this sort of confirms just how similar PNoy and the 'Bangag' are now, not only in Terms of their Incompetence, but also in Terms of their vastly flawed Foreign Policy.
For Years since he took Power, BBM has been provoking China on the SCS Issue, apparently using it as a Distraction and hoping that the Filipino People won’t think about the Failures of his Government and just think about fighting “China” instead.
He activated and increased the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States (US), allowed the US’ Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Missile System to be stationed in the Philippines and his Military and Defense Officials are constantly talking openly against China, hoping to provoke them even further.
And now BBM has allowed the US Marine Corps (USMC) to install their Anti-Ship and Anti-Air Missile Systems here. It has been one constant Anti-China and Pro-US escalating Step after the other. And now as his Approval and Trust Ratings fall down even further, he is hoping to provoke China even more.
All this is of course just very bad News for the Philippines, being orchestrated by a Government which has already lost the Trust of its People. Remember that China is not the only Rival Claimant we have in the SCS, but they are the only ones that the US wants the Philippines to fight, and not the others. Hence China is being constantly goaded while the others being silently appeased.