CLAIM: President Bongbong Marcos can fly a fighter jet.
RATING: FALSE
A Facebook reel falsely claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can fly a military fighter jet.
The clip used in the reel was from a video of Marcos Jr. riding a Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50PH fighter jet for a demonstration at Clark Air Base in Pampanga back in 2023.
Contrary to the claim, Marcos Jr. was only a passenger on the plane. PAF pilot Lt. Col. Malbert Maquiling flew the aircraft.
Even though Marcos Jr. is the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, only qualified and trained pilots of the Philippine Air Force are authorized to fly military fighter jets in the country.
To enter as a Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate (PAFOC), one must possess a baccalaureate or a bachelor’s degree. Marcos Jr. holds a Special Diploma in Social Studies.
As of writing, the Facebook reel has recorded 668,000 views and 4,100 shares. Yance Dionisio
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