Philippines to proceed with P12.7 billion Russia helicopter deal

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is poised to honor its deal with Russia over the procurement of 17 Russian-made Mil Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters worth P12.7 billion, despite the reluctance or refusal of other countries to comply with such contracts in light of the Ukraine crisis.

“We expect the procurement to proceed as planned, considering that it was contracted prior to the Russian invasion, besides the fact that the Philippine government already made the initial up-front payment for the project. If no down payment had been made, then it would have been easier to revisit the project,” said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on strategic alliance.

At an earlier press briefing, Deputy Presidential spokesman Michel Ablan said the Department of National Defense “will be reviewing this matter vis-à-vis what is happening now in Eastern Europe.”

The DND signed the procurement contract for the Russian medium twin-turbine transport helicopters last November and made the first payment this January. The acquisition of the Russian rotary aircraft, due for delivery in 24 months, is meant to build up the Philippine Air Force’s chopper fleet for the transport of troops, equipment and supplies, medical evacuation and disaster relief operations.

“The contract and the initial payment for the Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopter acquisition project were completed before the crisis in Ukraine erupted. We are upholding our contractual obligations and are taking note of the circumstances that may affect the project,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

Deployment ban

The government has approved a total ban in the deployment of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) to Ukraine amid the ongoing war, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Bernard Olalia said yesterday.

“The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) has raised the alert level in Ukraine to Alert Level 4 with mandatory evacuation. And because its Alert Level 4, the POEA governing board released on Wednesday a governing resolution saying that we will not allow OFWs to work in Ukraine,” Olalia said in Filipino during the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday.

The government also ordered manning agencies to closely monitor the condition of Filipino seafarers onboard vessels in Ukraine.

“Significant and critical incidents involving a deployed Filipino seafarer should be reported to the POEA within five days from the occurrence,” Olalia said in an advisory following reports that ocean-going vessels in the Black Sea were hit directly or indirectly allegedly by Russian missiles.

Over 200 Filipino seafarers are still onboard foreign vessels in Ukrainian ports and awaiting repatriation. Meanwhile, at least 54 more Filipino seafarers from Ukraine arrived in Manila. The group consisted of 21 seafarers of MV Riva Wind, 14 from MV Bolten Ithaki, 12 from MV Polar Star and seven from MV Ithaca Prospect.

The latest arrivals brought the total number of repatriated seamen to 247, the DFA said yesterday. – Mayen Jaymalin, Pia Lee-Brago