Chiz is not impressed in US to turn over used helicopters to PAF

By Jason de Asis

 

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, January 8, 2010-Senator Chiz Escudero, who chair the Philippine senate national defense committee is not impressed to the United States (US) government  which is scheduled to turn over their refurbished helicopter to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday.

 

Chiz said that this indicates how the American government looks in the Philippines considering it has been one of the oldest ally of US in Southeast Asia wherein they will give five (5) used US helicopter to the country.

 

“We have been a good ally and that the country deserves better treatment than being dumped with aged assets,” he pointed out, adding that the five helicopters are under the President of the United States (POTUS) program and is part of the 20 units pledged by former Us President George Bush, Jr. last 2007.

 

"While it is a fact that our air force is in dire need of air assets, we should not be ecstatic about these helicopters. Thank you but we have to remind our so called ally that we are not mendicants who will jump with joy with hand-me-downs," the Senator said.

 

“The US government should do its allies well by well-deserved support and assistance, and not by some peanut hand out. After all, we stuck our necks out for the US in their dire need," Escudero said.

 

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, AFP Chief Gen. Ricardo David Jr. and PAF Chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena are expected to attend the turnover rites at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on January 10. (Jason de Asis)