New president Marcos Jr eyes bigger Philippine air force amid territorial rows

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he plans a "stronger, bigger and effective” air force, as the South-East Asian nation contends with territorial spats. - AP

MANILA, July 2 (Bloomberg): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he plans a "stronger, bigger and effective” air force, as the South-East Asian nation contends with territorial spats.

"A more modern aerial and surveillance capability is all the more felt given the territorial disputes that we in the Philippines are involved in,” Marcos said in a speech on Friday evening (July 1) at an Air Force event, among the first he attended as president. It would also help the fight against insurgents and extremists, he said.