News Story: PAF to get 6 more aircraft

Afghan A-29 Super Tucano Ground-Attack Aircraft

MANILA, Philippines - Six Brazilian-made close-air support aircraft with night flying capabilities will be the latest additions to the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s air muscle.

The acquisition of the six new A-29 Super Tucano aircraft is part of the PAF’s ongoing modernization, which also involves the purchase of more FA50 lead-in trainer fighter jets from South Korea.

After several delays, post qualification inspections of the aircraft are now being done in Brazil. Embraer Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. bagged the P4.9-billion defense contract. The delivery of the aircraft is still being finalized.

The multibillion-peso procurement is sourced from the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Trust Act Fund.

A team has been dispatched to inspect the manufacturer’s facilities and the aircraft.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: ‘No failure of intelligence in Marawi’

MANILA, Philippines - The crisis in Marawi City was not caused by a failure of intelligence but by connivance between local warlords and terrorists who stockpiled firearms in the city and the “soft” policy towards rebels, President Duterte said yesterday.

Duterte said the government was aware that firearms were being stockpiled in Mindanao but took it for granted because of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). 

“We have adopted a very soft policy towards the rebels and this came about because they were bringing firearms. Since we are thinking of getting peace with the MNLF and MILF. The game there involves firearms. We took it for granted. We just allowed it to happen because we never knew until that time who was really the enemy,” Duterte told the troops in Butuan City. 

“When they see firearms and they were told that it’s for MILF or MNLF, the standing order was maybe we can talk to our brothers so there will be no trouble (but) it turned out that the Maute were bringing the firearms surreptitiously and we did not know how much ammunition and firearms were stockpiled, and besides it was not a failure of intelligence,” he added. 

Appearing in public for the first time in nearly a week, Duterte said the terrorists seem to have an “endless supply” of firearms and ammunition because of the assistance of corrupt local warlords.

“But all the while, the Maute (was conniving with) politicians there, the warlords, and were stockpiling. That’s why they do not run out of M203 bullets,” he said, noting many soldiers were hit by that type of bullet. 

Duterte confirmed extremists from Indonesia, Syria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Kuwait joined the Maute terrorists in the clashes with government troops. 

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Military launches airstrike vs BIFF

A military spokesperson said on Tuesday aerial assaults were launched as ground troops scour the interior of Datu Salibo town against the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

About 300 families have fled three adjoining villages in Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao for fear of getting caught in the crossfire between government forces and the BIFF.

Troops have launched pursuit operations against the BIFF after their renewed harassment against government forces and installations in the province, Capt. Arvin Encinas, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson said without mentioning what specific aircraft were used to carry out aerial assaults.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Abu Sayyaf death toll hits 10 in Sulu offensive

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – The military confirmed at least 10 militants were killed in the offensive Friday against the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu.

The firefight however left 17 soldiers injured, officials said.

Col. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS), said the troops clashed with about 150 militants from the combined groups of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron and Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.

Sobejana said they have confirmed 10 Abu Sayyaf killed so far and several others wounded.

“The number of killed enemies could be even more but the fleeing Abu Sayyaf members managed to retrieve their casualties,” Sobejana said.

He said some of those killed have already been identified as well six of the wounded bandits.

 The fierce fighting initially erupted about 9 a.m. when troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion encountered the Abu Sayyaf at Barangay Taglibi.

The firefight lasted for over an hour with government troops utilizing crew-served weapons, supported by airstrike and ground artillery.

The heavy fighting left an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf casualties and at least 14 soldiers wounded, mostly from barrages of grenade launchers from the militants.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: More Attack Helicopters to be purchased under (Philippines) flight plan 2028

AW-109 attack helicopter

More attack helicopters will be acquired to boost the Philippine Air Force’s existing aircraft fleet, a PAF official said Tuesday.

“The attack helicopter project is a continuing program up until we are able to close the capability gap. It’s laid out in the PAF Flight Plan 2028 and very much in line with the President’s thrust,” PAF Spokesperson Col. Araus Robert Musico said in a message to the PNA.

This would boost the existing MD-520 attack units and newly-acquired AW-109s, he added. At present, PAF has between 12 to 16 MD-520s and eight AW-109 attack helicopters.

Attack helicopters, in the Philippine setting, are often deployed as aerial rocket and machine batteries to help troops in clearing and pursuit operations.

Read the full story at Tankler