Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 28) — Japan leases two training aircraft to the Philippines as part of the bilateral cooperation project in defense equipment between the two countries, signed in Manila on February 2016.
Authorities said the lease of the two Beechcraft TC-90s reflects a quick realization of the project, which offers the Philippines five TC-90 units. The remaining three training planes are expected to arrive mid-2018.
The Philippines will pay $28,000, or about P1.4-million per year for the lease, as the Philippine Navy awaits the legal framework that would allow Japan to donate defense equipment to foreign countries.
The Navy said the leased aircraft are more advanced than what they currently have, but the planes will be used for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, maritime air surveillance, and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR).
They added the aircraft would be a big help especially in addressing threats to the country’s maritime security.
“The speed and range of aircraft will improve the rate of response time and reach time of our maritime air surveillance,” said Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Gen. Eduardo Año added the aircraft would boost the national security beyond maritime patrol.
“Itong Beechcraft, designed siya para pang-ISR. Ibig sabihin, kung malagyan siya ng mga equipment, magagaamit natin siya hindi lang sa maritime patrol, kundi pati na rin sa ating internal security operation. Pwede natin magamit sa Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi,” Año said.
[Translation: The Beechcraft is designed for ISR. This means that if we could rig it with the equipment, we could use it not only for maritime patrol, but also for our internal security operation. It could be used in Sulu, Basilan, Taw-tawi.]
However, National Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana clarified despite the transfer of aircraft, there will be no joint patrol between Japan and Philippines.
“We do not have the mechanism yet for a joint patrol with the Japanese naval forces here in West Philippine Sea, but for freedom of navigation, I think anybody can pass through,” he said. “Innocent passage is allowed by the national law. Freedom of navigation is respected for all countries passing by our country.”
Lorenzana adds he does not know, at least for now, if Japan will extend anymore help aside from the leasing of aircraft, but the Japan’s Defense ministry commits to support the Philippines.
“Japan and Philippines suffer from disaster and I’d like to continue in the area of humanitarian cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Other than that, maritime security is another area that we would like to seek cooperation in the future,” said Japan State Minister of Defense Kenji Wakamiya.
“It’s very important to keep the freedom of navigation. This is important for the peace and stability, and we will continue our efforts in support programs in Vietnam and other countries,” he added.
