President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday recognized outgoing Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lieutenant General Stephen P. Parreño.

In his speech, President Marcos highlighted Parreño’s commitment to “Accelerate PAF with Excellence” imbued by the institution’s values of competence, professionalism, and responsiveness.

“Today, we stand together to honor a leader who has served our nation with unparalleled distinction. Lieutenant General Stephen Parreño, as Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, has led this institution to soar to new heights over the past two years,” President Marcos said on Thursday.

“His steadfast commitment to the command thrust Accelerate PAF with Excellence has inspired every airman to embrace the ideals of competence, professionalism, and responsiveness—values that have guided your every endeavor. The legacy of your leadership is etched in the achievements of the Philippine Air Force under your watch,” he added.

The Chief Executive emphasized Parreño’s significant contribution to PAF, particularly the 2,500 flying hours dedicated to external defense and 450 maritime patrol missions in strengthening the country’s territorial integrity and protecting the exclusive economic zone.

Such contributions are representations of vigilance, determination, and unwavering resolve to safeguard the country’s airspace, the President said.

“These are not just records; they represent vigilance, determination, and an unwavering resolve to safeguard our airspace. In these efforts, our skilled pilots have remained resolute, intercepting threats [and] monitoring unidentified tracks that encroach upon our airspace,” he said.

President Marcos also recognized Pareño’s leadership in addressing multifaceted threats by carrying out 119 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

In times of crisis, Parreño led PAF in rescuing 320 trafficked individuals from exploitation, and confiscated illegal goods worth millions of pesos, he added.

It was during Parreño’s tenure that significantly marked the capability enhancement of the PAF through the acquisition of one C-295 medium-lift aircraft, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, one mobile radar, one fixed radar, and 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters.

This increased the Philippines’ readiness to confront evolving challenges, the President said.

Before ending his speech, President Marcos recognized Parreño’s 37-year service and accomplishments as testaments to his vision, diligence, and unyielding commitment to PAF’s mission.

“These accomplishments are a testament to your vision, diligence, and unyielding commitment to the mission at hand. After thirty-seven years of dedicated service to our nation, you pass on a legacy that embodies excellence and inspires the next generation of leaders to build upon the foundations that you have laid,” the President said. |PND