MANILA: The statement comes after Canada ordered a review of the multi-million dollar deal over human rights concerns. The concerns were raised when the Philippines military chief said the aircraft would be used in internal security operations.
Mr Duterte said on Friday he would ask the Armed Forces to stop buying defence materials from the US and Canada because” there is always a condition attached”. This week, Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Bell 412 helicopters would be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. He said the helicopters would be used in a “limited” role primarily “for the transportation of personnel and supplies, ferrying wounded and injured soldiers, and the conduct of humanitarian and assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations”.
