FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Philippine Army (PA) officially received Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan's helicopter donation today, January 7, 2021 at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Mr. Pangilinan, together with National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP Chief of Staff Gen Gilbert I. Gapay and Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana led the deed of donation signing ceremony to officially turn over one unit of BO 105 Rotorcraft helicopter.
Said unit will be used for developing Army Aviation Regiment’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief efforts; air ambulance capability; reconnaissance operation; and maritime patrols over its area of responsibility. It will also serve as an interim helicopter to train Army aviators and enhance PA’s overall capabilities to find, fix and finish enemies of the state.
The Philippine Army (PA) Aviation “Hiraya” Regiment was activated on July 05, 2019 and at present commanded by Col. Andre B. Santos. The Regiment was expanded from Army Aviation Battalion and has been instrumental in the Army’s aerial reconnaissance and maritime patrols over Northern Luzon, Eastern Mindanao, and Western Mindanao Command.
The PA is pushing for additional mission essential equipment to develop Hiraya Regiment’s capability of supporting combined operations through the acquisition of Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters, Medium Lift Multi-purpose Helicopters, and Special Mission Aircrafts. In addition to its acquisition projects, the Regiment offers trainings under the Aviator Qualification Course and the Rotary Wing Transition Course to develop the capabilities of its aviation personnel.
The PA is grateful for Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan’s donation of the said helicopter that will serves as a catalyst for developing Army’s future rotary aviation and a springboard to improve the capacity of army aviation in supporting government agencies in the face of disasters and calamities in the country.#