DND panel formed to probe purchase of 21 Hueys

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) has created a panel that would probe the alleged anomalies surrounding the purchase of 21 UH-1 combat helicopters worth P1.2 billion.

DND spokesman Peter Galvez said the committee, led by Defense Usec. Pio Lorenzo Batino, was given 90 days to come up with a report.

“The secretary of national defense does not tolerate the alleged report of those anomalies and ill activities. We have been transparent in all our Bids and Awards Committee activities,” Galvez said yesterday.

“Upon the instruction of the secretary, the DND has created an investigating committee to look into the matter,” he added.

Galvez said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was disappointed by reports alleging that the procurement of the 21 helicopters is marred by irregularities.

“He (Gazmin) is disappointed but he also wants to know the nature of the story,” Galvez said. “We need to address all these issues quickly because we have other projects.”

Last December, the joint venture of American firm Rice Aircraft Services Inc. and Canadian company Eagle Copters Ltd. was declared the winning bidder for the supply of 21 UH-1 helicopters.

However, the Special Bids and Awards Committee-1 led by Defense Usec. Fernando Manalo has been accused of favoring the supplier and for allowing the delivery of defective and old helicopters.

An anonymous source was quoted by media reports as saying that the joint venture had delivered UH-1D helicopters instead of the more advanced UH-1H model.

The DND, however, said the contract merely stated that the winning bidder should deliver UH-1 helicopters, the generic term for the helicopters, and not UH-1H.

The report also claimed that the Huey helicopters that have been delivered were not working properly.

Defense officials, however, claimed that they have not received any complaint from the Air Force personnel using the helicopters.

Air Force officials claimed yesterday that all the 21 Huey helicopters are working and operational.

Of the 21 helicopters, eight have been accepted, which means that the units have been inspected and tested by the Air Force.