The Philippines is scheduled to receive on Thursday two brand new intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance planes from the United States.
The Cessna 208B Caravan will be turned over by the US officials to the Philippine Air Force at the Villamor Air Base.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters that the planes may be used to patrol the Sulu Sea, West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise.
In a separate press briefing on Wednesday, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said that the planes are capable of taking photos and surveys.
“Itong mga bagay na ito ay magbibigay sa atin ng kakayahan na bantayan ang karagatan natin, at mga lugar na kung saan tayo nagkakaroon ng pangangailangan ng impormasyon tulad sa mga coastal areas at open seas kung meron tayong babantayan na nanghihimasok na mga barko,” he said.
(These things can provide us with the capability to guard our seas and the places where we are in need of information, especially in coastal areas and open seas that needed security against invading vessels)
The donation was part of the US’ Maritime Security Initiative. JPV