Philippines' C-130s from US to be delivered 2015
MANILA, Philippines — Two additional Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" planes from the United States will be delivered to the Philippine military next year, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said.
"We are just finalizing the [transfer] documents," Catapang said.
The statement came after Catapang's announcement Tuesday that the US HAS offered to give the assets to the Philippines after it heard President Aquino mention the need for additional aircrafts to aid troops' recovery and relief efforts after disasters.
Earlier: US to give C-130 planes to Philippines
Catapang said that the cargo planes, among the US' decommissioned assets, are fully operational but will also be refurbished before being put to service by the AFP.
The military chief also revealed that the AFP and the Department of National Defense were exploring plans to purchase Australian C-130s.
Former AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista had said that the country needs at least nine C-130s to effectively carry out humanitarian efforts. The Philippines currently has three C-130s in the Air Force's inventory.
The United States military deployed hundreds of soldiers to send out relief goods and aid Philippines authorities in the aftermath of destructive typhoon Yolanda in November last year. - Camille Diola
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