The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will observe its 90th anniversary on December 21 with a scaled-down program, foregoing the traditional parade and military asset displays.
The move comes as a gesture of respect for and solidarity with Filipinos affected by recent calamities and in light of public outrage over a corruption scandal involving billions in government funds.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. announced the adjustments during the send-off ceremony for military delegates to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday.
“For our celebration this year, we had originally planned to hold a grand event because it’s our 90th anniversary. But we decided to keep the celebration simple instead,” he said.
Brawner said the traditional anniversary parade and capability demonstration—where the AFP typically showcases its ships, aircraft, and new military assets—will no longer be held.
Instead, the commemoration will consist of a command conference with the Commander-in-Chief, President Marcos Jr., a short program for the awarding of outstanding personnel, and a nationwide simultaneous boodle fight.
Brawner said the AFP opted for modest activities since many communities are still struggling from recent earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding.
“Our country has gone through many calamities and many of our fellow Filipinos are still suffering because of these disasters like the earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding. Even now, there are still many areas in our country experiencing floods,” the military chief said.
