The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has started massive expansion in its operations across the country through the support of its government partners, its chief, Lt. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar, has said.

“Through our close coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), we are expanding our operations in other areas, such as General Santos City, Laoag, Ubay in Bohol, Iloilo, Laguindingan and Lumbia Airports (Cagayan de Oro),” Kintanar said, as the Air Force celebrated its 71st founding anniversary on Tuesday last week.

He also expressed gratitude to Palawan’s provincial government for signing the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that allowed the PAF to use a 300-hectare area as base in Balabac, and to the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority for another MOA allowing them to operate a forward operating base in Lal-lo, Cagayan.

“The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has likewise handed (the) Guian Airport in Samar,” Kintanar added.

In line with this, the Air Force chief said they are coordinating with the DOTr and CAAP to integrate their air defense radars to effectively monitor and detect unregistered aircraft and other unidentified entrants.

“More importantly, we need to engage more stakeholders as we develop a national strategy for aviation security, with DOTr and CAAP as our main partners,” he said. (PNA)