PNP to acquire 12 more aircraft this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police plans to acquire 12 helicopters and planes within the year to achieve its ideal fleet of 20 fixed and rotary wing aircraft for its air unit. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the PNP, said the aircraft would be deployed to five area police offices and in Metro Manila. “We are programmed to acquire 12 [aircraft] this year but the whole acquisition program is for 20 aircraft, including fixed wing,” Sinas said. The PNP is reportedly planning to acquire Airbus H-130 helicopters as air ambulances. Sinas said the air ambulances would be used for the medical evacuation of police operatives injured in armed encounters. —Jeannette I. Andrade