Does the Air Force need an anti-sub warfare aircraft?

Yes the Philippines needs aircraft of all type. The P-3 sub hunter is an excellent aircraft for other uses such as long range patrol and reconnaissance, because it can fly very long distances without refueling, and it is very reliable air frame. It is basically an excellent surveillance patrol craft, with awesome electronics, electronic warfare and electronic countermeasure capability that becomes a sub killer by loading the 10 hard points with a variety of bombs, missiles, depth charges and torpedoes. It is equally effective at finding and destroying surface ships. This is the type of airplane that can patrol much of the west Philippines sea on a single sortie, having a 4,400 km range.

Don't count on any US P-3s being available for awhile. As in, 10-20 years-they're still going to be around that long. And the ones we give up will be in truly terrible shape, mechanically speaking. It would be cheaper and more effective to buy more F-27 MPA aircraft, to be honest.

No they do not need one.

If we get one it will be maintained to the same degree that motorcycles, Multicabs & jeepneys are. You know what I mean - loud mufflers, no light & no maintenance.

Yah - they need everything they can get, including mines.