"Retirement" Of Last F-5 Leaves Island Nation "Practically Defenseless"

Saying the retirement of his country's last F-5 fighter leaves the Philippines without an adequate air defense, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Tuesday called on his country to rebuild its air force or risk an attack by another country.

"The Senate opposition is ready to help the Air Force get its due.  Responsible officials must tell us what can be done reasonably fast," he said, quoted by the Manila Times.

The country retired its last F-5 over the weekend. Philippines air defense is now in the hands of pilots who fly Italian-made Agusta 211s (file photo of type, below) -- an aircraft meant to be a trainer and not equipped for air-to-air combat.

Pimentel blamed his country's political leadership for failing to capitalize on a 1995 measure authorizing the modernization of Philippines' defense forces. Instead, authorities decided to focus more on internal security matters. The Philippines is dealing with an ongoing Muslim rebel insurgent in the country's south and recent terror attacks throughout the country.

FMI: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html