According to the Philippine Air Force, “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s flight would depart the nation on September 18, 2022 for an official visit to New York to participate in the 77th United Nations General Assembly (PAF).

The presidential flight was escorted by fighter planes throughout the country’s eastern flank, beginning over Polilio Island and continuing for 200 nautical miles.

“Fighter escorting, more than just a tradition, is an essential standard operating procedure to clear and secure our air space for the arrival and departure of the President of the Republic and other visiting heads of state. The said procedure is similarly practiced in other countries for added security of their presidential flights,” PAF stated.

It went on to say that after accompanying the presidential flight, the two FA-50s resumed their routine maritime patrol to protect the country from illegal incursions inside our Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone, “Maritime patrols are also done by our fighter jets to monitor developments and illegal activities within our Exclusive Economic Zone.”