(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, June 3, said he was considering looking for helicopters in South Korea.
The President made the comment during a speech before members of the Filipino community in the Asian country, after the Philippine government scrapped a $233-million deal to acquire 16 helicopters from Canada.
Duterte ordered the deal for the acquisition of the Bell 412EP helicopters scrapped in February, after Canada ordered a review of the same amid concerns the helicopters would be used against Communist rebels.
“Sabi nila mag-deliver kami ng Bell helicopters pero you cannot use it against your own citizens. So anong gamitan ko niyan? Para evacuation, mga wounded, air-ambulance… How stupid can you? Bakit mo sabihin na I cannot use it against my own citizens when there are citizens in my country trying to overthrow my government?” the President said.