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| Photo courtesy of Pondohan TV |
by: JEROME CARLO R. PAUNAN
CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri reiterated his call for the aircraft modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), following the crash of a C-130 military plane in Sulu, killing 51 individuals, many of whom were new soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division training unit in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
“I am unfortunately starting to sound like a broken record in my call for modern aircraft and training equipment for our troops. I am so saddened by the loss of such brave and patriotic individuals in such
a senseless death," Zubiri said.
“That’s what angers me the most. We’re losing so many great men and women because of poor equipment and outdated aircraft,” he added.
The senator cited that just over last year, "we’ve already lost over 70 people in military aircraft accidents."
He said four died in a crash in Isabela in July 2020, another four in Basilan in September, one in Lanao del Sur in November, seven in Bukidnon in January of this year, and six more in Tarlac, just last month.
“And now, over fifty people in Sulu. This is one of the worst air disasters for the Air Force and the AFP. We really need to fast-track our aircraft modernization so we can stop ruining lives like this, and
ensure that no other accident surpasses this one in the future," Zubiri said.
“I am appealing to the DBM to find the budget necessary for the Air Force to replace their aging fleet, particularly their workhorses, which are their overused and extremely old C-130s," he added.
“Early this year I sounded the alarm on AFP aircraft modernization, after meeting with Deputy Chief Florante Amano and other officials from the Air Force in January. We had the meeting after the
Bukidnon crash, because I wanted to hear about their modernization plans and ask them what we in the legislative can help them with," he further said.
He said it is "unthinkable" that soldiers are left to use 50-year-old helicopters and aircraft for so long.
"Is this how we value our military?"
“Apart from upgrading our aircraft and other equipment, we absolutely must also beef up our training programs for our military pilots. For fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft," he said.
The senator explained that modernization entails not only buying the best aircraft and equipment, but also providing state-of-the-art and extensive training for our military personnel.
"We have to invest in simulators, so we can consistently train our soldiers without risking their lives, or the lives of civilians," he said.
“And again, we in the Senate are prepared to listen and to help our military with their budget. Anything we can do to ensure that this what happened in Sulu is our last accident of this kind. We have to
get serious about modernizing our military. We cannot lose any more lives like this," he added. (PIA-NCR)
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