ORIENTATION flights of fighter jet pilots of the newly procured FA-50 fighter jets grabbed attention of the crowd in Thursday's Parada Dabawenyo.
Public Safety and Security Command Center head Benito De Leon, in an interview Thursday, March 16, said it is the first time the jets hovered above Davao City in time for its anniversary.
“These are FA-50 fighter jets that were newly acquired by the government of the Philippines to protect the skies of the Philippines. We are happy na nai-schedule nila yung dalaw nila sa Mindanao (that they scheduled their visit in Mindanao) in time for the Araw ng Dabaw so it is also in time for the exercise at pagpapakita sa taong bayan sa kapabilidad ng Air Force (showing the public the capacities of the Air Force),” he said.
The two jets passed more than five times Thursday morning which caused loud buzzing sounds.
De Leon said safety and security forces in Davao were urged to bring their resources to showcase what they possess to defend the people.
And he was fortunate that the head of Air Force volunteered the showcase of the FA-50s.
“Para makita nila ano meron ang gobyerno at ng city para madepensahan ang seguridad nila (So we can show them what the government and the city has to defend their security),” he said.
Davao City Police Office Director Senior Police Superintendent Michael Dubria said he is thankful the Air Force head volunteered to bring the jets in Davao for the public to see.
“This is the first time na ginawa ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa anniversary celebration, so salamat sa kanila (the Armed Forces of the Philippines did it in the anniversary celebration, so thanks to them),” he said.
De Leon also said disaster response equipment were also showcased during the event.
“Yun din ay gustong ipagaya ng ating LGU kaya marami ng pumupunta dito sa Davao (That’s what we want or LGU to follow, that’s why many people come to Davao),” he added.
Among the eye-catching highlights of the Parada are the eight floats which depict different era in the history of Davao.
Davao City Administrator Zuleika Lopez said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio found it a high time to incorporate and expose history in the parade to make Dabawenyos aware of it.
"After-all we Dabawenyos are part of creating Davao the great city that it is today," she said.
Davao City Tourism Operations Office head Generose Tecson said 372 organizations joined the parade.