The United States
has vowed to assist the Filipino military in its ongoing modernization program
even as it reiterated its call for China
to use the “peaceful path” in resolving its territorial dispute with the Philippines
US Ambassador Philip Goldberg made this statement during
sidelights of the turnover ceremonies of eight brand-new Bell-412EPs combat
utility helicopters and two attack versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109Es
Monday at Villamor Air Base, Pasay
City
The contract for eight units of Bell-412EP combat utility
helicopters, which was acquired from Canadian-American company Bell Helicopter
Textron, was worth Php4.8 billion and signed in March 2014.
The Php3.44 billion contract for the supply of eight attack
aircraft from AugustWestland was signed in June 2013.
The ceremonies were headed by Defense Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin and other ranking military officials.
“I think that our position has been clear, that the way to
settle disputes in South China Sea is through
legal, peaceful and diplomatic means. That’s why we have supported the Philippines
“That’s why we have supported a Code of Conduct to better
lay out the rules of the road, because ultimately, what we should all be
seeking are rules-based, legal-based solutions to the various claims, not use
of force or threats or any kind of coercion,” he added.
And while it expresses full support for the peaceful
resolution of the territorial dispute between China
and the Philippines ,
Goldberg said that the United
States
He added that they will provide two additional Lockheed
C-130 cargo planes to the PAF.
“We help support Philippine modernization through excess
defense articles. There are two more C-130s in the pipeline, we also support it
through our foreign military funding, which last year, was at around USD50 million.
So all those kind of efforts help support what the Philippine government is
trying to do and it’s important for the United
States as a staunch ally of the Philippines
“It’s also important because what happens when the equipment
is similar and we train together is that interoperability, so that in
humanitarian disasters, in cases where rescue missions have to take place that
we are working from the same sheet,” he added.
Meanwhile, Gazmin said that the additional 10 helicopters
will help solve the capability gaps being experienced by the PAF due to lack of
aircraft.
“The availability of mission capable and combat ready air
platforms has always been an essential requirement of our air operations. Its
importance places a key role in the operational readiness of the Philippine Air
Force, especially in combat operations and movements of the troops and their
equipment and supplies by air,” he said.
He added the Air Force greatly needed the helicopters for
multiple air operations.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=794064
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