Level up na! Tolentino pushes for involvement of Army’s aviation regiment in rescue, relief ops

MANILA – Administration Senator Francis Tolentino is pushing for the involvement of the newly created aviation regiment of the Philippine Army in future rescue and relief operations.

Tolentino made this manifestation during the confirmation hearing of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay before the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday.

Tolentino, a reserved brigadier general in the Army said he envisions the Army Aviation Regiment based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to become an integral part in rescue and relief operations especially during times of calamities and disasters.

“Pangarap ko rin naman dumating iyong pagkakataon na kapag nagkaroon tayo ng disasters, iyong mga air assets ng Coast Guards, Air Force, Navy and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be joined by the Army Aviation Regiment in distributing relief items to our distressed countrymen,” said Tolentino.

According to Gapay, with the development of the Army Aviation Regiment into a force of, it can be deployed anywhere and with an aviation unit backing it is now in full swing.

“As the battlefield becomes more complicated and intricate, the more that we need capabilities such as an aviation unit for the Philippine Army,” said Gapay

According to Gapay, there is an ongoing training for rotary wing pilots in preparation for the delivery of the modern equipment coming from the AFP modernization.

Tolentino noted said the military is set to receive from the United States, four Black Hawk helicopters and four Cobra helicopters that will can augment the Army Aviation Regiment’s air defense capability.

Tolentino also urged Gapay to pursue during his term as AFP chief the establishment of airstrips for the Army Aviation Regiment in Kalayaan Island and near Fuga Island.

“The AFP is identifying airstrips all over the country where we could put detachments not only for the Army but for the Philippine Air Force as well,”Gapay’s reply to Tolentino.

“Usually, when it comes to airstrips there will be dual use some would be civilian and military use but there are also a few dedicated for military use only just like the one in Lumbia where it used to be a civilian-military use, now its purely military administered by the Air Force,” he added.

Tolentino earlier expressed support for the confirmation of Gapay as AFP chief along with other 29 officers.

“I congratulate you in advance. I repeat again this will not be a piece of cake,” Tolentino told Gapay. (JCC)

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)