PAF defends purchase of C-130 from Lockheed

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) defended yesterday the recent procurement of a C-130 transport plane from Lockheed Corp. while denying reports that there were anomalies in its purchase.

In a statement, Col. Jose Angel Honrado, acting PAF spokesman, said the decision to procure the C-130 was part of efforts to strengthen the Armed Forces’ operational capabilities and uplift the state of the country’s fleet of aircraft.

"Soldiers are dying in the field because of lack of air assets. Bandits roam our waters and territory freely because we do not have proper transport and surveillance. We also need assets to evacuate overseas workers from other countries in times of emergency," Honrado said.

He pointed out that the longer the government delays the acquisition of C-130s, "the more lives we will lose in combat and in times of calamities."

Honrado said the plane is not new and that it was purchased at a bargain of P3 million – a far cry from the estimated P70-million tag for a brand-new plane.

"A used C-130 can still be effective as long as regular maintenance is conducted and the aircraft is operated in accordance with standard practice," he said.

Honrado said the purchase was approved during the term of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

He defended Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, who was Armed Forces chief when the deal with supplier Lockheed was forged.

"The signatures of the secretary of national defense and the commanding general of the PAF were recommendatory in nature. This has been the practice of the AFP through the years," he said.

He refuted reports that the purchase was anomalous because of a lack of public bidding.

"A public bidding was not necessary in this case because we were dealing with the manufacturer, thus the project was approved through a negotiated bid," Honrado said.

Being the owner and manufacturer of the C-130 aircraft, Lockheed retains a certain degree of propriety rights, he explained.

He lamented that the unsubstantiated charges against the AFP have resulted in "undue demoralization of troops fighting in the field."

"This is not the way to treat the AFP or motivate our soldiers who are doing their best to help this nation achieve peace and security," Honrado said.