Probe on scrapped chopper deal wont affect bidding

MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has assured the public that the ongoing investigation on the scrapped bidding of night capable attack helicopters (NCAH) for the military would not cause delays in the purchase of the said aircraft.

In an interview, Teodoro said that while the bids and awards committee of the Department of National Defense (DND) is conducting its probe, the air force is completing the circular of requirements for the re-bidding of P3.2-billion worth of NCAH.

“The investigation should not get in the way of the re-bidding of the helicopters. It has no connection whatsoever,” he said.

The defense chief said he has yet to receive the report of the DND panel that looked into the possible liabilities of military and defense officials who were involved in the previous bidding, which was scrapped after several irregularities were found.

Air force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog said in an earlier interview that the specifications for the new NCAH have already been identified.

He said they are hoping the NCAH, which would be vital in the military’s internal security operations, would be delivered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by next year.

Cadungog said that with the additional budget, they hope to purchase 18 units of the NCAH instead of six.

Earlier, the DND scrapped the bidding for the six NCAH worth P1.2 billion after an investigating panel found that the helicopters offered by Asian Aerospace Corporation did not meet the technical specifications required by the air force.

Aside from the new aircraft, the PAF is also looking into the refurbishment of five Vietnam War vintage UH-1H helicopters, which is considered the military’s workhorse.