Trump Cabinet Members Offer F-16 Jets, Choppers to PH, Duterte Declines

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during his speech at the 12th anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command on Thursday, August 23, disclosed the letter given to him and signed by three United States cabinet members which offered Lockheed Martin F-16 jet fighters and attack helicopters for the country’s armed forces.

“We hope to partner in other significant defense procurement of our mutual benefit including through the Lockheed Martin F-16 multi-role fighter platform and your attack helicopter platform among other U.S. systems, the United States is peerless supplier of state-of-the art technology with a proven track record, ” Duterte reads the letter in front of the audience.

However, the President declined the offer as the fighters are expensive and the country can only buy two to three F-16 jets and will be useless in a war against China.

The President sees no need for the jet fighters adding he wants helicopters and propeller-driven fixed wing aircraft to deal with insurgents and ISIS extremists.

President Duterte also said that if indeed he will buy a dozen F-16s he isn’t sure if they will arrive to the country citing the stalled purchase of assault rifles after it was blocked in the United States Congress.

How sure na makuha ko ‘yung binili ko (that I will get what I bought)?” the President asked.

The letter was sent to him by US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. The letter was signed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

The country doesn’t have a multi-role fighter as the current Korean made FA 50 jets are considered as Lead In Fighter Trainers (LIFT). The acquisition of multi-role fighters is included in Horizon 2 of the Armed Forces modernization program. (PIA/RG Alama)