PHL receives two new Cessna planes from US

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has received from US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim two new Cessna 208B planes, the first of its kind in the country, among the other brand new assets donated this year to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Kim presented to Lorenzana late Thursday afternoon the aircraft during the transfer ceremony at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

The Cessna 208B aircraft are expected to enhance the Philippine Air Force’s counterterrorism capabilities, and help protect AFP members actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines, to include Marawi. 

In a press statement, the US Embassy said that being equipped with advanced sensors, cameras and communications equipment, these aircraft will significantly enhance the ability of the AFP to locate terrorist groups operating in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

“These will be used anywhere in the Philippines because the range is malayo naman e, including Marawi, incuding Sulu Sea, including West Philippine Sea, including Benham Rise,” Lorenzana said in an interview after the ceremony.

“It’s just taking pictures, taking images of the ground, that is what these will do,” he added.

The Philippine Air Force’s 300th Air Intelligence and Security Group (300 AISG), based out of Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga will operate the two new C-208B aircraft.  The 300 AISG is the leading unit for air intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance operations for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Lorenzana said the Cessna plans are the first of its kind in the country.

“For this kind of surveillance plane, this is the most modern that we have now, wala naman tayo kasi e, so this is the first one and it is also state of the art, meaning with all the equipment they will be able to operate 24 hours a day,” he said.

The two new aircraft, valued at P1.67 billion, were delivered to Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, through the US National Defense Authorization Act Building Partnership Capacity Program.

The Embassy said the delivery is the latest donation from the US government, which over the last five years has allocated more than P15 billion of grant funding to provide the AFP with up-to-date equipment and training. 

Lorenzana said the AFP are also set to receive this year Scan Eagles and Ravens.

“The Americans are giving us Scan Eagles sometime this year, darating na yan, tatangapin ng Air Force. They have also given us, sa MARSOG (Marine Special Operations Group), the Ravens will also be given to us, I think early this year. So marami na silang binigay sa atin, they are all brand new as well,” he said.

“I’m sure there are several equipment that we are getting from the US in the pipeline hindi ko lang alam kung ano yan, a lot of them are radars,” he added.

The Embassy said the equipment transfers, training, and continued bilateral exercises demonstrate the commitment of the United States to work with the Philippines in building capabilities towards eradicating global terror networks.

Since 2007, representatives from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) in the Philippines have delivered and programmed more than P7.4 billion worth of military equipment to the AFP to enhance counterterrorism capabilities. 

In addition, the AFP has procured small-arms weapons, maritime assault boats, vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, and personal protective equipment as part of the US government’s security assistance programs.

The Embassy said the United States, as a steadfast ally of the Philippines, continues to provide support to the AFP through both grant assistance and expedited sales of arms and munitions to support both long-term AFP modernization goals and urgent counterterrorism requirements. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ/KVD, GMA News