The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will soon be able to man and secure the country’s maritime domains and borders better.
The Philippines is set to receive two brand new Cessna 208B Caravan intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) planes from the US government.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the US troops will turn over the ISR aircraft in a simple ceremony at the Villamor Air Base on July 27 as part of the US’ Maritime Security Initiative.
He added the Cessna planes will boost AFP’s efforts to patrol the Sulu Sea, West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise.
AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the aircraft units can capture photos and track potential intruders into the country’s territorial waters.
“These things can provide us 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,” Padilla said.
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