Philippine military marks 80th founding anni.

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III said his administration has fulfilled his promise to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which marked on Monday its 80th founding anniversary.

During the event, the AFP made a massive display of its assets, such as the recently acquired FA-50 jet fighter planes from South Korea, 24 other air assets, armored vehicles, trucks and rubber boats.

Aquino, who led the anniversary in Clark Air Base in northern Philippine province of Pampanga, said that in the remaining 192 days of his administration, he is committed to further improving the AFP with the 83.90 billion peso (1.77 billion U.S. dollars) fund for the Medium Term Capability Development until 2017.

This was on top of the 56.79 billion pesos (1.20 billion U.S. dollars) that was earmarked for the 45 projects which were already completed under the current government.

In his speech, Aquino said his last mission order for the 140,000-strong military before he steps down from office in June next year is to ensure the orderly and successful holding of elections in May 2016.

"This is my last mission for you, as your commander-in-chief...that you will do what is right, fair and just for the good of the country," he said. Endit