Increased number' of US military aircraft due to bilateral drills – PAF

From CNN Philippines (Jul 11, 2023): Increased number' of US military aircraft due to bilateral drills – PAF (By David Santos, CNN Philippines)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) — The presence of US military aircraft in the country is due to bilateral exercises between Manila and Washington, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) clarified on Tuesday.

"We have an increased number of aircraft which are participating in our Cope Thunder 23-2 exercises, which is ongoing," said PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo.

She added that all US air assets involved in the drills are covered by diplomatic clearances.

Several lawmakers earlier questioned the recent arrival of US military planes in the country.

READ: Makabayan bloc seeks House probe into US military planes landing in PH

Sen. Imee Marcos had called for a Senate probe into the "unadvised" landing of a US military aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on June 26.

The senator said while Manila often calls out Beijing over the presence of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, there is little information on the ongoing US military activity within Philippine territory.

READ: Sen. Marcos calls for increased monitoring of US military planes at PH airports to ‘track violations’

Castillo said the Department of Foreign Affairs will have to shed light on any issues being raised by lawmakers.

The second iteration of "Cope Thunder" started on July 2nd and will run until the 21st.

The PAF said at least 10 different types of US aircraft are taking part in the exercises.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/11/increased-military-planes-due-to-bilateral-exercises.html