Plane donated by Japan flies over Panatag, reports no challenge

A newly commissioned Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft of the Philippine Navy donated by the Japanese government was used on Wednesday for the first time in the Maritime Air Patrol (Marapat) in the country’s maritime domain in Northern Luzon.

Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) spokesman, said the C90 plane,

with tail number of 390, made its maiden flight at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) west of Masinloc, Zambales.

Nato said the aircraft flew around the shoal at about 800 feet above sea level and sighted four Filipino fishing boats and nine Chinese vessels, four of which were Chinese Coast Guard ships. The Filipino pilots said they heard no challenge from the Chinese Coast Guard.

Nato said the deployment of the C90 boosts the capability of the Navy to conduct limited airlift, reconnaissance, and surveillance within the area of responsibility of Nolcom. It will complement the efforts of the Philippine Air Force to watch over the three maritime areas in Northern and Central Luzon.

“Nolcom will utilize all available assets and resources to protect our national territory, including its northern maritime areas, and assert our sovereign rights over our maritime domain,” Colonel Nato said.

“Nolcom will continue to do its mandate that will be non-provocative, strictly adhering to the international law, and in line with the directives and policies of the national government,” he added.

The C-90 is one of two Japanese aircraft donated to the Philippines in March last year. It was activated in ceremonies at Naval Base Heracleo-Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City, last Nov. 21.

The TC-90 has a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, and a cruising speed of 260 knots. It is capable of carrying eight passengers along with the pilots.

The Navy is now operating six Norman Britten “Islander” patrol aircraft, four GAF “Nomad” planes, five Agusta-Westland combat utility helicopters, and one Robinson R-22 training helicopter.

The TC-90, part ofthe Beechcraft King Air aircraft family, was offered by Japan shortly after an agreement on defense equipment and technology was finalized last Feb. 29, 2016.Two of the TC-90s were delivered to Sangley Point, Cavite, last March 27. The remaining three will delivered in the first quarter of 2018.

Japanese destroyer

Highlighting the strong ties between the Philippines and Japan, the Japanese destroyer JS Amagiri (DD-154) will be paying a goodwill visit in Manilan from Friday to Sunday, docking at

Pier 13 of the Manila South Harbor, Navy spokesman Capt. Lued-Lincuna said. The JS Amagiri will be accompanied by a DH-60J patrol helicopter.

A welcome ceremony and port briefing will be conducted upon arrival of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) vessel at Pier 13, South Harbor, Manila after a customary meeting procedure with the BRP Rajah Humabon (PS-11) in the vicinity of Corregidor island at the mouth of Manila Bay, Lincuna said.

Then JS Amagiri is a Asagiri-class destroyer and specializes in antisubmarine and anti-surface warfare. There are eight of these ships in the JMSD which are capable of running at speeds of 30 knots. (With a report from PNA)