Citing need for ‘permanent peace,’ Arroyo orders P5-billion worth of new attack helicopters

MANILA — As the government girds for the implementation of the first phase of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) modernization program, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today priority will be given to the acquisition of new helicopters to replace an aging fleet that had figured in crashes over the past several months.

In her speech during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the PAF at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City this morning, the President said P5 billion would be set aside to buy new helicopters out of the P17.5 billion earmarked by her administration for the upgrading of the PAF over the last two years.

She directed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon and PAF Chief Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino to take immediate steps to acquire brand new helicopters.

Last month, the President received nine refurbished UH-1H helicopters from US Ambassador Kristie Kenney during turnover ceremonies also held at the Villamor Air Base.

While acknowledging the importance of the refurbished UH-1H helicopters to beef up PAF’s capability to respond to emergency situations brought about by typhoons, floods and other calamities, she nevertheless pointed out that it was imperative that the PAF acquired brand new helicopters to improve further its round-the-clock operations.

“This refurbishing, and all the goodwill that have enabled us to mobilize in order to expand our fleet still have left me quite uncomfortable. So I instructed General Esperon and Lt. Gen. Tolentino that before we buy more second hand helicopters or almost first hand helicopters, I want to see a bidding for first hand helicopters,” the President said.

“And I hope that our young men and women in the Air Force will be safer and braver when they fly these brand new helicopter,” she said.

Anticipating criticisms of her administration for “over-militarization” in connection with the multi-year military modernization program, the President explained that what the government had allocated for the AFP was “much less than what we have allocated for agricultural modernization” over the last two years at P30 billion.

She explained that the agricultural and AFP modernization programs are a clear message of proving the value of a new paradigm for peace through the use of both hard and soft power.

The President stressed that in Mindanao, the government has been able to meld together confidence building measures grounded on strong interfaith dialogue and cultural awareness, investment in economic and basic infrastructure development, and mutual security arrangements to keep the peace in that area.

“This is a model setting a positive example. It is something we wish, all wish, to share with the rest of the world. By continuing with this new paradigm for peace we will be able to achieve permanent peace in Mindanao,” she said.

“And permanent peace in Mindanao therefore is to begin those modernizing our development efforts and modernizing our armed forces,” the President added.