Phl wants to acquire US fighter jets

MANILA, Philippines – The government is seeking the help of the United States government in acquiring fighter jets in line with the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We’ve asked and it’s up to the US government whether to accede to our request for the US fighter jets. That is subject to a decision on the part of US to whether to accede to our request,”presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday.

In his speech at the commencement exercises at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City last week, President Aquino said the anti-corruption campaign of his administration has resulted in record budget savings.

While previous administrations took 15 years to fund the P33-billion AFP Modernization program, Aquino said his administration has allocated P28-billion after only 18 months.

 He cited the acquisition of a Hamilton Class Cutter or the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the BRP Tagbanua.

The Air Force will also receive eight new combat utility helicopters, he said.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said 71 projects for the three major service commands and general headquarters are already in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, The USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the 7th Fleet of the US, will dock tomorrow at the South Harbor for a four-day goodwill visit.

The US embassy said the USS Blue Ridge’s visit is a routine port call.

“The visit highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,” the US embassy in a press statement said.

The port call also coincides with the holding of the annual Philippine-US military games locally known as Balikatan. – Jaime Laude, Delon Porcalla