Women pilots praised

The Philippine air force said it will forever be proud of its first batch of women pilots who have flown above war-torn southern Philippines.

Pilots Sheillah Grace Estrera-Vicente, Lilian Victoria dela Cruz-Busto and Maribelle Belila said they have a mission to accomplish, adding they did not learn how to fly helicopters and planes for the air force for the thrill of flying alone.

They have flown in combat in Mindanao, making them the envy of many women.

Estrera-Vicente is a captain, Dela Cruz-Busto and Belila are first lieutenants who were assigned to the air force's 15th strike wing, the squadron that was at the forefront of operations against separatist groups and hostage-taking terrorists in Mindanao.

Estrera-Vicente, 31, was among the first female helicopter pilots to take part in military operations in Mindanao and other areas of conflict. She had piloted the MG-520MD gunship in missions in Basilan, Jolo, Lanao, Cotabato and Davao.

Now that she is six months pregnant, after a year of marriage to army Capt. Joselito Vicente, she is being asked to give up combat missions.

Dela Cruz-Busto is a three-year veteran of flying combat missions.

She took part in air strikes at the height of the armed forces' campaign against the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Jolo, Lanao and Zamboanga. She is also pregnant. Her doctor ordered her to stop flying. She obeyed doctors order.