Fighter jet purchase from Taiwan shelved

The deal for the purchase of 24 F-5E jets from Taiwan has been shelved after China expressed strong opposition to the transaction with the Philippines.

Sources in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday the commercial transaction for the purchase of the jets at a very low price reportedly in exchange for the training by Taiwanese pilots here was preempted by media reports.

Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona will convene an inter-agency meeting next week to discuss the government’s planned acquisition of planes.

President Arroyo has instructed the DFA to come out with a recommendation on the military arrangement to ensure that it will not violate the One-China policy.

Sources said Taiwan is willing to give the planes for free in exchange for the use of Y Ami Island, an uninhabited rock formation located at the tip of Batanes frequented by Filipino fishermen, as a training ground for Taiwanese pilots.

However, DFA is opposed to Taiwan’s request for the use of the island because it would strain the country’s relations with China.

"That’s a no-no as far as China is concerned," a DFA official said.

China warned that it is against transactions between Taiwan and any country with diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Alarmed by the report, officials of the Chinese embassy in Manila immediately made representations before the DFA.

"Our position upon the question of Taiwan has always been consistent. We are opposed to any form of military contacts and exchanges between any country having diplomatic ties with China and the Taiwan authorities," China said in a statement.

The Philippines has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which has always been considered by China as its renegade province. — Pia Lee-Brago