Duterte calls Canada 'Stupid' for cancelled helicopter deal

Canada knew this day will come. 
 
Last month Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with Canada to buy for the Philippine Air Force sixteen (16)  Bell 412EPI combat utility helicopters  worth $233.36 million. The Canadian government made an announcement that they will review the purchase following reports on human rights violations allegedly being perpetuated by the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.



Barely a week from the news of the signing the President decided to cancel the $233-million chopper deal with Canada.  *

Bell 412EPI combat utility helicopter (photo credit to owner)
 

“I want to tell the Armed Forces to cut the deal. Huwag na ituloy and somehow we will look for another supplier. We respect the stand of Canada,” Duterte said in a news conference

"Do not buy anymore from Canada or from the United States because there is always a condition attached."

The President did not say anything about it until now.  During the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the President  in his speech slams Canada for not pushing with the chopper deal worth $233-million.

"Tingnan mo how stupid the Canadians are, very stupid. Pumayag sila na mapagbili. Noong ma-deliver na sabi nila, 'Ah but you cannot use these for military or punitive actions by the police. This is only good for evacuation and 'yung mga humanitarian... You cannot use these against your own citizens,'" Duterte said. 

(Look at how stupid the Canadians are, very stupid. They agreed to sell the helicopters. But when these were due to be delivered, they said, 'Ah but you cannot use these for military or punitive actions bu the police. This is only good for evacuation and humanitarian operations. You cannot use these against your own citizens.') 

"My God, you Canadians how stupid can you get? Our citizens are joining the ISIS so we have every right to kill our citizens because we do not want to destroy the community with apathy," he added.  *

Canadian International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was quoted in saying that they signed the deal to sell to the Philippines sixteen (16)  Bell 412EPI combat utility helicopters  worth $233.36 million in the belief and understanding that these would be used for search and rescue missions only.

The Philippines indeed will use the said choppers for disaster response and humanitarian missions, but also for "anti-terrorism". 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Restituto Padilla clarified that the use of the helicopters does not actually mean the AFP would utilize the Bell choppers as “attack-helicopters”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a question and answer event in University of Chicago, was asked if he was concerned that the helicopters will be used against Filipino citizens he said : “Absolutely.”

Canada has very clear regulations about to whom it can sell weapons and how they can be used, the Prime minister said.

 

 

Report from ABS CBN News