BACOLOD City – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has formally turned over a retired Fokker F-27 tactical transport aircraft to the local government unit of Silay City in Negros Occidental province during a ceremony held Friday morning.
The event in the city’s Barangay E. Lopez was led by PAF chief Lieutenant General Stephen Parreño, Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier Gen. Orlando Edralin, and Mayor Joedith Gallego.
The Fokker F-27 aircraft with Serial No. 59-0259 has a colorful past, according to records from the Air Force.
The said aircraft once served as the presidential plane of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
It was then used for other transport roles, including the transportation of relief supplies to areas that were affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
In 2022, the aircraft suffered a mechanical malfunction, forcing it to take an emergency stop during takeoff at Bacolod-Silay Airport.
The Fokker F-27 has not flown since then.
The aircraft was then disassembled, transported by ground, and reassembled at a park in Barangay E. Lopez, where it has become an attraction to tourists and local aviation enthusiasts.
It has a wing span of 29 meters, used to be able to carry 32 passengers with three crew members, and has a maximum operating speed of 223 knots. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
