28 July 2017

News Story: Planes from US to be used for coastal patrol

Cessna-208B Caravan (Image: Wiki Commons)
By Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines -  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be receiving two long-range patrol planes from the United States.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the US government will donate two Cessna-208B Caravan planes, which would be utilized to patrol the country’s territorial waters.

The planes are capable of intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, Padilla said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the planes are due to arrive today for a scheduled turnover and blessing ceremony at Villamor Air Base.

US Ambassador Sung Kim and US Pacific Command deputy commander Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton will present the two new Cessnas to AFP and defense officials.

Hermes 900 UAV (Image: Wiki Commons)
Earlier, President Duterte announced he would accept the offer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems.  

Duterte said he was earlier offered two high altitude UAVs as the eyes in the sky of ground troops and police forces as they enter the battlefield.  

Read the full story at PhilStar