The Philippines cancel a contract for the purchase of helicopters in Canada

Photo courtesy Website Bell Helicopter

AFP

Friday, 9 February 2018 08:24

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Friday, 9 February 2018 08:24

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Davao | The president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte Friday ordered the cancellation of a contract for the purchase of 16 canadian helicopters Bell for $ 235 million americans, in the wake of criticism of the canadian government on the situation of Human rights in this archipelago.

“I want to tell the armed forces to break the agreement. Stop it and one way or another we will find another provider, “said Mr. Duterte, who acknowledged that the helicopters were originally to be used to “complete” the rebel groups in the Philippines.

On Thursday, the canadian government had threatened to block the sale of 16 helicopters, multi-function Bell 412EPI for the armed forces of the philippines, concluded in December. According to Bell, the helicopters were to be used for humanitarian purposes and transport.

“The prime minister and myself have been very clear about the violations of human rights and extra-judicial killings of the regime Duterte,” said the canadian minister of foreign Affairs, asked by chrystia Freeland, adding that she would not hesitate to refuse the export permit of the devices.

The contract was criticized in Canada by the left-wing opposition to the liberal government of Justin Trudeau, the NDP was concerned that the helicopters would be used against civilians.

The philippine army used helicopters and fighter jets in support of troops on the ground fighting against the guerrilla muslim groups or communist rebels in several parts of the country. Mr. Duterte acknowledged Friday that it was inevitable that the devices purchased in Canada used to fight ” against the rebels and terrorists “.

“The reason why I buy the helicopters, it is that I want to finish them,” -he said.

This controversy comes at a time when the international criminal Court opened Thursday a “preliminary examination” with respect to crimes committed in the Philippines, where the authorities have unleashed a bloody war against the drug.

Rodrigo Duterte was elected as president in 2016 on a promise to eradicate the drug trade by knocking down tens of thousands of offenders.

Since his election, more than 4,000 traffickers and drug users were alleged to have been killed by the police. Authorities investigate also on more than 2,000 murders “committed in connection with the drug” by unknown.