US turns over second C-130 plane to Philippine Air Force

MANILA, Philippines — The second C-130 cargo plane that the Philippines acquired from the United States was officially turned over to the Philippine Air Force on Monday.

The C-130 heavy-lift transport aircraft arrived at the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu last October 10. The plane is the fifth C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force.

During the turnover ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said that the C-130 planes symbolize the strength of the partnership between the Philippines and the US.

Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, right, greets Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as the latter arrives for the formal turnover of the Philippine Air Force C-130T cargo plane (background), the second to be acquired through the United States Excess Defense Articles(EDA) at Villamor Air Base in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. AP/Bullit Marquez

A Philippine Air Force chaplain blesses with holy water, the Philippine Air Force C-130T cargo plane, the second plane to be acquired through the U.S. Excess Defense Articles (EDA), during formal turnover at Villamor Air Base in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. AP/Bullit Marquez

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana noted that the importance of the aircraft was seen during relief missions for Typhoon Lawin, according to a report from ABS-CBN News.

Lorenzana also thanked the US for co-funding the acquisition of the C-130 planes.

The Philippines acquired two C-130 planes through the US Excess Defense Articles for P1.6 billion under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.