Duterte eyes buying more military helicopters after Bukidnon crash

Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/tvpatrol/01/23/tarlac.jpg"/><figcaption>A Philippine Air Force UH-1H &quot;Huey&quot; helicopter ferries troops shortly after taking part in the Joint U.S.-Philippine Military Exercise flag dubbed &quot;Balikatan 2019&quot; at Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac. <em>AP/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his plans to buy brand new helicopters for the military, following the recent helicopter crash that killed 7 in Bukidnon. </p><p>During his visit to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Sulu on Friday, Duterte said it was time to replace the Huey choppers that the military has been using. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F4MmefG7Lno?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div style="text-align:center"><em>Video courtesy of PCOO</em></div><p>The “Hueys,” short for the UH-1H and UH-1D models, are Vietnam War-era helicopters that have been refurbished. They serve as the main workhorse of the Philippine Air Force.</p><p>&quot;Marami pa ba ‘yang Huey na ‘yan? Naiwan? Hindi, palitan ko na sana. Wala ng… Maano na talaga ‘yan, luma na,&quot; the chief executive said in a speech streamed Saturday morning. </p><p>(Do we still have a lot of Hueys? I will just replace it because they are already old.)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/16/21/helicopter-na-may-7-sakay-bumagsak-sa-bukidnon">Military helicopter carrying 7 people crashes in Bukidnon; no survivors reported</a></li></ul><p>He added he would try to buy at least 7 new helicopters to prevent further accidents attributed to the vessel being too old to fly. </p><p>&quot;Tingnan ko kung baka makabili ako ng iilan para pangpalit diyan sa Huey na ‘yan,&quot; he said. </p><p>(I&#x27;ll see if I can buy some to replace those Hueys.)</p><p>The President admitted he was &quot;hurt&quot; when he heard about the helicopter crash in Bukidnon that killed 7, including 5 military officers, and that he would look for funds to replace the air assets.</p><p>&quot;I am not making any hard promises. But you can rest assured, I will try my best to look for money para palitan ko ‘yung mga luma na,&quot; he explained.</p><p>&quot;These are all things screwing my mind kasi ‘yung recent crash, masaktan ka talaga... ako ‘yung parang administrador ng bayan tapos ganoon ang nangyari, masakit para sa akin.&quot;</p><p>(I was hurt with the crash because I am the country&#x27;s administrator then that happened under my watch. It is hurtful.) </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u_VvRuzewyw?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>A senator this week said the deaths could have been avoidable if only the Armed Forces of the Philippines was &quot;seriously&quot; modernized. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/19/21/zubiri-iginiit-ang-aircraft-modernization-sa-afp-matapos-ang-chopper-crash-sa-bukidnon">Zubiri, iginiit ang aircraft modernization sa AFP matapos ang chopper crash sa Bukidnon</a></li></ul><p>Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also blamed the Huey helicopters for several accidents involving armed personnel in recent years. </p><p>Because of this, Zubiri called for new military hardware and equipment, most especially air assets, to give soldiers a &quot;fighting chance&quot; during combat. </p>

<p>The President admitted he was "hurt" when he heard about the helicopter crash in Bukidnon that killed 7, and he would look for funds to replace the air assets.<br /> </p>

The President admitted he was "hurt" when he heard about the helicopter crash in Bukidnon that killed 7, and he would look for funds to replace the air assets.

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Duterte eyes buying more military helicopters after Bukidnon crash

Duterte eyes buying more military helicopters after Bukidnon crash

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 23, 2021 05:11 PM PHT

Read More:

President Duterte

Huey helicopter

Bukidnon crash

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP

Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters

Duterte

military

defense

Philippines news

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