4 military aircraft on stand-by for possible contingencies as tensions between 2 Koreas increase --AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24): 4 military aircraft on stand-by for possible contingencies as tensions between 2 Koreas increase --AFP

Four military aircraft -- three Lockheed C-130s and one Airbus Military C-295 -- are on stand-by for possible repatriation of Filipino workers should tensions between the two Koreas take a turn for the worse, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said on Monday.

"We are in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the crisis in Korea. It's similar to what happened last time so our air assets are ready to support whatever decision or policy our DFA (will implement). As of now, we have in the inventory three C-130s flying and one C-295," he added.

He also said that these aircraft can be readily configured for passenger service if needed.

Detoyato said the decision to place these aircraft in stand-by was made by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri.

The C-130s can each carry an estimated 100 passengers while the newer C-295 can transport 70.

Tensions between the two Koreas reached an all-time high when North Korean shelled South Korean positions in an attempt to destroy propaganda speakers in the southern part of the demilitarized zone last week.

This prompted South Korean units to return fire.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=796494