US Send Rocket and Reconnaissance Aircraft to the Philippines
According to reports, Washington, DC has provided the Philippine Air Force (PAF) two Cessna-208B type reconnaissance aircraft, 1640 rocket engines measuring 2.75 inches, and 992 2.75-inch rocket-projection projectiles. Similarly, as quoted from Asian Correspondent, Monday (07/31/2017).
The handover of the aircraft was represented by US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and deputy commander of US Pacific Command Lieutenant General Bryan Fenton on July 27, 2017. The handover was done at PAF headquarters in Villamor Air Base, Manila.
Both aircraft with a total price of US $ 33 million was donated by the US through the US National Defense Authorization Act Building Partnership Capacity Program.
"The donation of this aircraft shows the strength of the relationship between the US and the armed forces of the Philippines as an ally, it is important for both countries to help each other in the midst of a crisis situation," Ambassador Sung Kim said.
Two planes and thousands of rocket weapons were received by Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Eduardo Ano, and PAF Commander Lieutenant General Edgar Fallorina.
"We are very grateful to the US government.The military assistance is in harmony with the security and security agenda of the country and I am confident that the aircraft can improve the capability of readiness of PAF operation," said Defense Minister Lorenzana.
"The aircraft can also be used for various ground, sea, and air military operations, humanitarian aid missions and disaster response, not only military but also by other government agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, As well as the Bureau of Fisheries and Marine Resources, to monitor mining, forest, and maritime areas, "he added.
The two aircraft's main operators are the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Group PAF headquartered at Edwin Andrews Air Base, Zamboanga City, Mindanao, Southern Philippines. The aircraft was reportedly capable of operating up to 1,689 nautical miles, with an operating durability of 5.5 hours and capable of flying as high as 40,233 km.
Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and communications equipment, the iron bird is expected to significantly increase AFP's ability to find terrorist groups operating in the restive areas of the Philippines such as Mindanao, the site of the Abu Sayyaf militant group.
Mindanao is also home to Marawi Town, the site of an ongoing battle between Maute rebel groups inspired by ISIS with local security forces. Now, the battle is almost entering the third month since it erupted on May 23 last.
Meanwhile, thousands of rocket weapons were submitted by the US Embassy to AFP at Clark Air Base, Pampanga Province on Saturday 29 July. The donation is done through the mechanism of Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA).
"The ammunition and weaponry will enhance AFP's counter-terrorism capabilities, and directly support AFP members who are actively involved in counter-terrorism operations in the southern Philippines, including Marawi," said an official release from the US Embassy in the Philippines.
The latest aircraft and weapons from the United States to the Philippines also came months after Manila's attempts to shift its foreign policy to be more oriented towards Russia and China. In June, China granted $ 7.3 million worth of weapons to a state led by President Rodrigo Duterte, a proof of the close proximity of the two countries.
While in the last five years, Washington, DC has allocated over the US $ 297 million in grants to provide AFP qualified military equipment and training.
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