PAF receives second C-130 bought from US

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) officially received on Monday the second of two C-130T aircraft the government acquired from the United States under the US Excess Defense Articles Program (EDAP).

A report from Rida Reyes on Balitanghali showed the turnover ceremony of the cargo plane at the Villamor Air Base.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg attendfed the rites.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya and PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Edgard Fallorina were also present.

Under EDAP, the Philippines paid the US $61 million or P1.6 billion for the two C-130T planes.

The first arrived in April; the second, on October 10.

PAF welcomed the arrival of the new planes that will help the military on early troop deployment and for humanitarian assistance and disaster responde capabilities.

In his speech, Goldberg said the turnover of the two brand-new planes testifies the strong relationship between the US and the Philippines.

Lorenzana, for his part, welcomed the new military hardware in the ongoing modernization of the AFP.

PAF now has five operational C-130 planes in its inventory with the arrival of the two aircraft. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/NB, GMA News