Pres. Benigno Aquino is the AFP’s Guest of Honor during its 80th founding anniversary (Photo from Pres. Aquino’s Facebook Page).

President Benigno Aquino III, the guest of honor of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 80th anniversary celebration, expressed his continued support to the organization’s modernization program.

The occasion, held at Clark Airbase Pampanga, served as Aquino’s last AFP anniversary attendance as the Philippine president and as the group’s Commander-in-Chief.

Aquino also cited his administration’s intensified efforts to help the AFP in their services. He stated that the government provided as much as P56.79 billion pesos to fund 45 projects of the group.

Moreover, the President revealed his last mission for the group – to ensure a peaceful 2016 elections.

“Next year, we have the responsibility of ensuring a peaceful and successful elections. This is my last mission for you, and as your Commander-in-Chief, I am confident that your group follows only one principle: to do what is right and just for our country,” he said.

For his part, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri thanked Pres. Aquino for prioritizing the AFP modernization program.

“Dear president, the AFP sincerely thanks you for your support in making our long-dreamed AFP modernization program a reality,” he shared.

The event also saw the biggest military parade prepared by the AFP, where the group showcased a total of 194 mobility assets.

According to the AFP, the parade aims to present to the public the resources their acquired through the modernization program.