Duterte scraps helicopter deal with Canada

President Duterte last night ordered the cancellation of the $233-million helicopter deal with Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government ordered a review over human rights concerns.

“I want to tell the Armed Forces (of the Philippines) to cut the deal. Do not proceed anymore, and somehow we will look for another supplier,” Duterte said in Davao City.

Ottawa had raised concern that the helicopters would be used to fight rebels after Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP chief of plans, said they would be used for internal security operations apart from deployment in search-and-rescue and disaster relief missions.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Bell helicopters would be used to transport personnel and relief supplies during calamities as well as ferry wounded soldiers.

Canada’s International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne earlier said the deal formally signed last Tuesday was first struck in 2012 on the understanding the helicopters would be used for search and rescue.

“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 said.

The Bell 412EPI helicopters were due for delivery early next year even as the Philippine military prepared to step up operations against Islamist and communist rebels.

Asked later whether he was concerned the helicopters might be used against Filipino citizens, Trudeau replied: “Absolutely.”

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) yesterday gave assurance its purchase of the helicopters was a “very transparent” transaction.

Padilla said the helicopters would be used for transport of troops and logistics.

“From the very onset, the contract has specified that we are acquiring a combat utility helicopter. The intended utilization is for both peacetime and during contingencies such as natural disasters as well as other emergencies,” Padilla said.

He said the helicopters are not armed and are made for personnel and medical transport.

“It is not an offensive platform and not armed as such. We have dedicated attack helicopters as offensive platforms for such operations,” Padilla said.

The Canadian government sought to review the $233-million deal, citing its concern with human rights violations as the helicopters might be used for offensive missions.

Duterte said “we respect their values” and stressed that the AFP should stop sourcing supplies from Canada, the United States and other countries that impose similar conditionalities on such deals.

“The Canadians were among those who helped us following the wrath of Super Typhoon Yolanda and employed similar helicopters,” Padilla pointed out. “Having said that, we hope that this deal not be politicized.”

Canada’s decision to review the deal was sparked by reports that the helicopters may be used in the fight against rebel groups, thus utilizing them for military attack operations.

The Department of National Defense has also said that it will not be used as an offensive weapon, emphasizing further that the AFP does not engage in human rights violations. –