President Rodrigo Duterte on his first official visit in South Korea via RTVM
SEOUL, South Korea – President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday, June 3, that he is considering the purchase of Bell helicopters from South Korea in lieu of the Canadian choppers previously canceled by the Philippine government.
I’m trying to — maybe a day after tomorrow. I’m going to — magbili tayo ng mga helicopter… dito na lang ako siguro maghanap sa Korea,” the President said.
During his speech before the Filipino community at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul, the President said he ordered the cancellation of the chopper deal in February after the Canadian government said the choppers can only be used for humanitarian missions and not for combat operations.
“Originally meron na tayo. Nag-order tayo ng Bell sa Canada. Sabi nila, mag-deliver kami ng Bell helicopters pero you cannot use it against your own citizen,” Duterte said.
The Canadian government said the Philippines can only use the 23 choppers as air ambulance. However, the President argued he needed air defense to protect the Filipino citizens against the enemies of the state such as the New People’s Army and foreign terrorists.
“My citizens are joining the New People’s Army, the communists and they are fighting government and killing my soldiers and my policemen at ang civilian. It is a dirty war and people are dying…Bakit mo sabihin na I cannot use it against my own citizens when there are citizens in my country trying to overthrow my government?” he said.
Aside from combating crimes and terrorism, the President said he is determined to accomplish his campaign promises which are to curb illegal drugs and corruption in the country.
“I promised the Filipino…No corruption…Droga. Tapos sabi ko, I will talk to the enemies of the state to seek peace,” the President said.
In his speech, President Duterte thanked the South Korean government for serving as the second home to more than 66,000 Filipinos working and living there.
“I’d like to thank the Korean government, South Korea for hosting so many Filipinos here. Keeping them safe,” he said. — Marje Pelayo / UNTV News & Rescue
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