AFP air, naval assets transport 2M pounds of Covid-19 supplies

By Priam Nepomuceno

Air and naval assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have so far transported over 2 million pounds of cargo as of July 1 to alleviate the effects of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a statement on Saturday, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has dedicated seven aircraft for the mission while the Philippine Navy (PN) has used 16 ships.

The PAF has also logged more than 881 flying hours in total with its two C-130 and three C-295 doing most of the heavy airlifting while logistics support vessels BRP Bacolod City and BRP Dagupan and landing craft BRP Batak led the PN efforts.

“We understand that the fight is far from over but I would like to express our gratitude to the tireless men and women who continue to work behind the scenes loading, flying, steering, and maintaining our ships and aircraft nonstop for more than three months now,” Santos added. Meanwhile, land operations have also transported persons and supplies nationwide with over 261 vehicles AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. (File photo) currently in use.

As of July 1, over 2.2 million food packs have also been transported and 123,000 passengers were accommodated as reported by the AFP’s Unified Commands and Major Services.

“The strength of our will is being tested by this pandemic and every day we continue to prove nothing can wear our troops out. As I near the end of my term as Chief of Staff, I am confident that our soldiers will carry on with the selfless service that has so far marked the AFP’s legacy in this pandemic,” Santos said. (PNA)

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