Exploratory talks are now underway for the acquisition of a four-hectare lot to be used by the Philippine Air Force in the vicinity of the new Bacolod-Silay airport in Silay City .

AFP Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado yesterday met with Acting Gov. Isidro Zayco and Mayor Jose Montelibano on plans to transfer the PAF Tactical Operations Command 6 at the Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo to Silay.

Ibrado said they have discussed the price of the property to be purchased, mechanics of the acquisition and requirements needed from the Air Force, to pave the way for the establishment of military facilities and parking area for helicopter gunships and C-130 cargo planes.

Zayco said the provincial government will provide a counterpart for the purchase of the lot, that costs is P12 million, while the Silay city government also pledged to help.

TOC 6 supervises the operations of military aircrafts in Western Visayas .

Ibrado said the transfer of TOC 6 headquarters from Iloilo to Negros Occidental will boost the security of the airport in Silay.

The Silay airport is presently secured by the Philippine Army and 6 th Regional Mobile Group troopers, following the rebels attack on it in October last year.

Ibrado said the TOC 6 has a K-9 and Explosives Ordnance Units, and Air Force personnel, which will compliment the security of the airport in Silay.*GPB

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