Ekip
27 July 2017•Update: 27 July 2017
By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
The Philippine Air Force on Thursday received a pair of surveillance planes from the United States, a top defense official said.
The two brand-new Cessna-208B Caravan intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft were received by Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana in a ceremony at Villamor Air Base near the Philippines' main international airport.
"For this kind of surveillance plane, it’s the most modern that we have. We don’t have any to begin with,” website Rappler quoted Lorenzana as saying.
“This will fill the gap of what we lack by way of having an eye in the sky,” he added.
The two patrol planes are worth P1.67 billion ($33 million dollars) that will be utilized for counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime patrols, and other ground and naval operations.
Lorenzana said they may also be used in the operations in Marawi city, where security forces have been battling Daesh-linked Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists since May 23.
“They will be used anywhere in the Philippines, including Marawi, Sulu Sea, West Philippine Sea, and Benham Rise," he added.
For its part, U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim said the planes are equipped with modern, sophisticated cameras and receivers.
"The package also includes training, support, and maintenance of the aircraft. But more than the delivery of the planes, the transfer was a symbol of strength and endurance of the alliance of the two countries," Kim was quoted as saying.
The handover of the two planes comes days after President Rodrigo Duterte, a staunch critic of the U.S., lashed out against former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Duterte wants to forge an independent foreign policy, working to improve ties with China and Russia while moving away from the U.S., a long-time ally.
