Helicopters sold to PNP not mine - Mike Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines - Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo denied yesterday allegations that he was the previous owner of the helicopter that was sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Arroyo was responding to the latest accusations of Sen. Panfilo Lacson implicating him and former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the “anomalous” purchase of three helicopters by the PNP.

Lacson said the Arroyos owned the helicopters and forcibly sold the same to the PNP while passing it off and pricing them as brand-new.

Arroyo said the LTA Corporation, of which he is an incorporator, owned a Bolkow helicopter that was sold to a company named Fusion Link Inc.

“The chopper issue is nothing but another sordid exercise to further malign our name. This is again part of the continuing persecution to mask the lackadaisical performance of this administration to the detriment of the Filipino people,” Arroyo said in a statement.

“Neither I nor the former President sold helicopters to the PNP. The public should be wary of statements coming from a former fugitive from justice,” he said, referring to Lacson’s hiding from arrest for nearly a year in connection with the Dacer-Corbito double murder case.

Mrs. Arroyo left for Spain two weeks ago for a speaking engagement and will also reportedly visit other European countries. She is expected to return next week. – Cecille Suerte Felipe