PNP to acquire its own air force

PNP to acquire its own air force

MANILA (AFP): The Philippine National Police (PNP) plan to acquire their own aircraft and boats, starting with eight light planes and a helicopter, Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan said here yesterday.

Alunan said the planes and helicopter would be used to monitor the movements of smugglers, spotting illegal loggers, blast fishermen, pirates and cultivators of illegal drugs.

The planes, costing US$90,000 each, will be made by an American company in the central Philippine city of Cebu, using U.S. engines. He did not say where the helicopter would come from.

He said they hoped to acquire 55 aircraft and 88 boats by 1998. The PNP has previously relied on the military to provide air and sea transport.