Canada reviews helicopter deal; Roque says PH can shop elsewhere

Just one day after signing a $233million (₽111.65-billion) agreement to sell 16 helicopters to the Philippines, the Canadian government on Wednesday (yesterday in Manila) ordered a review of the deal amid con-

cerns the aircraft could be used to fight rebels.

President Duterte’s spokesman was quick to dispel speculations that the helicopters would be used as attack aircraft, but said that if Canada will not be selling, then the Philippines will shop elsewhere.

Canadian Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said that the deal – formally signed on Tuesday – had been struck in 2012 on the understanding the helicopters would be used for searchand-rescue missions.

Philippine Major-General Restituto Padilla, military chief of plans, told Reuters on Tuesday the helicopters would be used for the military’s internal security operations, adding they could also be deployed in search-and-rescue and disaster relief operations.

“When we saw that declaration ... we immediately launched a review with the relevant authorities. And we will obviously review the facts and take the right decision,” Champagne told reporters, without giving more details.

The Bell 412EPI helicopters were due be delivered early next year as the Philippine military prepares to step up operations against Islamist and communist rebels.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asked later whether he was concerned the helicopters might be used against Filipino citizens, replied “Absolutely.”

Canada has very clear regulations about to whom it can sell weapons and how they can be used, he said during a question and answer event at the University of Chicago.

“We are going to make sure before this deal or any other deal goes through that we are abiding by the rules... that Canadian governments have to follow,” he said.

In Manila, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told a Palace press briefing that the utility aircraft would be used mainly for humanitarian missions.

“Malinaw po ang dahilan kung bakit natin gustong bumili ng Bell helicopters Ito po ay gagamitin para transportasyon ng (It is clear why we want to buy Bell helicopters. These will be used for transportation of) personnel, supplies, humanitarian missions, ferrying of wounded and injured soldiers and other forms of humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” Roque said.

He added: “If they don’t want to sell, well we may consider the prospect of procuring them from other sources.”

The helicopters are meant to replace the second-hand Vietnam War-era UH-1H Huey rotary aircraft which Manila acquired from the United States.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the negotiated government contract with the Canadian Commercial Corporation, which was licensed to sell the American military aircraft.