Strategic deployment of PNP air assets nationwide urged

Senator Erwin Tulfo urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to expand and strategically position the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) aerial assets outside Metro Manila to improve emergency response, disaster operations and law enforcement in remote areas.

Tulfo raised the proposal during the DILG’s 2027 budget briefing, citing the need for faster access to areas where ground deployment can take days, particularly in the fight against illegal logging and kaingin, or slash-and-burn farming, in Palawan and the Sierra Madre.

"Right now, forest rangers have to trek for two days just to inspect illegal logging activities. If the Philippine National Police (PNP) had proper air support on standby, deployment would be immediate," said Tulfo, who hails from Palawan.

He also pointed to the potential use of helicopters to respond more quickly to emergencies in congested urban areas.

“Is there a plan from the PNP to augment air assets for faster response. For instance, there’s heavy traffic in Metro Manila, mobility will be faster if there are air assets.” Tulfo further said.

Senate Finance Panel Chairperson JV Ejercito backed the proposal, suggesting that the PNP distribute its helicopter fleet among key regional hubs instead of concentrating the aircraft in Manila. Among the areas he identified were Cebu, Davao and La Union, where the helicopters could be readily deployed for search and rescue, disaster response and medical evacuation.

Lawmakers also supported the acquisition of drones for surveillance but stressed that helicopters would continue to be necessary for operations requiring the physical transport of personnel or patients.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla proposed that the PNP prioritize utility helicopters designed for tactical drop-offs, winching and medical evacuations, instead of executive transport models that lack those capabilities.

Remulla also called for a review of the PNP’s aircraft maintenance system after three helicopter crashes in the past four years involving its eight-unit fleet. He said the agency could consider outsourcing maintenance work to ensure the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operations.

Tulfo, for his part, said he would support the DILG and PNP’s funding requirements for additional air assets, hangars and upgraded maintenance systems, particularly to improve government response in rural and disaster-prone communities.