RP fighters sent to Spratlys

RP fighters sent to Spratlys

MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines has sent a fleet of five aging fighter planes to keep watch over a reef in the disputed Spratly islands occupied by China, the air force said yesterday.

Air force spokesman Col. Felipe Gaerlan said two Huey helicopters and four Italian-made S-211 jet trainers had also been deployed in the area after President Fidel Ramos ordered a strengthening of Philippine forces there.

"Our entire force of F-5s have been sent there, five of them. Unfortunately that's the most advanced interceptor jets we have," Gaerlan said.

The Philippines acquired the outdated fighter aircraft and the Vietnam War-type Hueys from the United States. Armed forces chief Gen. Arturo Enrile said earlier the Navy was sending two additional ships to the area.

It was not immediately clear what type of vessels these were, but the navy mostly consists of aging patrol craft.