MANILA, Aug. 8 — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has allocated the sum of PHP7,792,000 for the acquisition of materials and equipment needed for the deployment of its South Korean-made FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” jet aircraft which is now seeing action over Marawi City.
Bid opening is slated for Aug. 22, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City, said PAF bids and awards committee chair Brig. Gen. Nicolas Parilla in a bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.
No specifics were given on the items to be acquired due to operational security concerns.
The FA-50PHs are currently being used by the military in the ground-support role in the ongoing effort to neutralize the remaining Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City.
Other aircraft helping in the ground-support role are the Rockwell OV-10 “Bronco”, SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 light attack planes and AgustaWestland AW-106 attack helicopters, to name a few.
The PAF operates 12 units of the Korea Aerospace Industries-made fighter jet.
The entire order is worth PHP18.9 billion.
As of 7 p.m. Aug. 6, the number of Maute Group terrorists killed has reached the 528 mark while a number of government troops slain in the ongoing operations are now at 122 along with 45 civilians executed.
Recovered firearms are placed at 603 and rescued civilians at 1,728. Fighting in Marawi City started on May 23 when government troops botched an attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS “emir” in Southeast Asia Isnilon Hapilon. (PNA)
