PAF more than ready to secure ASEAN meeting from any threats

This was the assurance given by PAF spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco in response to the PNA’s queries on what contribution the Air Force has made in securing the event. (Photo: Philippine Air Force/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is more than ready to neutralize any threats that would attempt to disrupt the delegates of the ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings which is being held April 26 to 29 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

This was the assurance given by PAF spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco in response to the PNA’s queries on what contribution the Air Force has made in securing the event.

“Our air assets like the (brand-new South Korean made) FA-50PHs (jet fighters), (SIAI-Marchetti) SF-260 (ground attack aircraft), (Lockheed) C-130 and (Airbus Military) C-295 transport aircraft and UH-IH “Huey” search-and-rescue aircraft are all on stand-by for any air operational requirement that may arise,” he noted.

Francisco did not give exact figures on the number of aircraft and helicopters on stand-by but said these are sufficient for any eventualities.

Joint Task Force deputy commander Col. Victor Tomas earlier said they are still to detect any security threats for the coming ASEAN event.

“We are very fortunate to say that there are no threats detected for the coming ASEAN meetings (at the PICC in Pasay City),” he said.

The above-mentioned military unit will serving as the Philippine National Police (PNP) back-up in securing the said event along with other government security agencies.

But despite this, Tomas said security for the meetings will still be tight so that they will not be caught flat-footed by any contingency.

“We don’t want to be over confident so what we are doing is we are (still conducting) intelligence build-up and (target) hardening,” he added.