Duterte: FA-50PHs only for ceremonial fly-bys

From Update.Ph (Jun 22): Duterte: FA-50PHs only for ceremonial fly-bys

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said the 12 FA-50PH light-interim fighter aircraft purchased from South Korea under the Aquino administration, with 2 already delivered, are only good for “ceremonial fly-bys” and cannot be utilized for anti-insurgency operations.

“Sayang ang pera doon. You can’t use it for anti-insurgency which is the problem of the moment. You can only use it only for ceremonial fly-bys,” the President-elect said in a forum with business leaders June 21, as quoted by GMA NEWS Online.

He added that the money for the FA-50PHs could have been of worth for the present situation if used to purchase helicopters with night vision capability that can chase Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists. He said the Philippines will not go to war with China.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force will be celebrating its 69th founding anniversary on July 5, days after Duterte assumed as the Commander-in-Chief. The Air Force already sent him an invitation for the said event.

Incidentally, two FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” will be conducting a high-speed opener pass during the anniversary rites over the airspace of Clark Air Base, Angeles City in Pampanga.

22 assorted aircraft will be also flying in formation in the shape of a giant “69”.

http://www.update.ph/2016/06/duterte-fa-50phs-only-for-ceremonial-fly-bys/6703