Duterte: Military Getting 23 Attack Helicopters

22 November 2017

AW109 helicopter of the PAF (photo : Update)

President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit to wounded soldiers in Army General Hospital in Headquarters Philippine Army, Taguig City on November 21 vowed to provide all the needs of military including new armaments and 23 attack helicopters.

“At no other time na ang sundalo protektado pati ibigay ko sa inyo „yung lahat nang kailangan ninyo, mga armas na kailangan,” he said.

“I am ordering new ones para pampalit doon sa inyo. Alam ko nagrereklamo kayo sa barrel pati vault. Baka in the next few months. I am in a hurry, nagmamadali ako. May papuntahin akong mga opisyal ng militar doon sa ibang lugar para mag-negotiate kaagad,” he added.

He also hinted that the military may get new type of armament. “Malaman natin ‘yan in the next – I am in a hurry. Maybe next year, mailantad ko na ‘yung ano,” he said.

“Meron tayong acquisition na 23 attack helicopters. ‘Yun supisyente na, ‘yun for a – ‘yung mga rebellion-rebellion lang,” he said.

He said that the government will be acquiring these through soft loans which may be paid in up to 25 years.

“So lahat nang bibilhin ko para sa inyo, puro bago. Wala ng purchases ang – sa panahon ko,’yung Armed Forces pati police na secondhand. Bago lahat at gagastos tayo,” he added.

(Update)