RP still waiting for 30 choppers promised by US forces

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The US government has so far failed to realize its commitment to the Arroyo administration to turn over some 30 Huey helicopters to the Philippine military, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Nestor Santillan said here yesterday.

"The eight UH-1H helicopters which we have already received were those committed during the term of former President Estrada. Those committed to Mrs. Arroyo have not arrived yet," Santillan clarified in an interview with local newsmen during the commemoration here of the 11th anniversary of the 600 air base wing.

But Santillan expressed confidence that the 30 helicopters would eventually come. "It will just take time since the approval of (the US) Congress would be needed".

Santillan disclosed that the 30 Huey helicopters committed by the US government during the latest visit of Mrs. Arroyo to the US would consist of 20 helicopters, while the remaining 10 would supply spare parts.

Santillan said that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is short of aircraft. "We have a little more than 100 supportable aircraft. Around 70 are functional, while the rest have to undergo repair and maintenance," he added.

Because of the shortage, Santillan said he has taken efforts to repair old aircraft under it’s so-called recovery program. In the last 15 months, air force engineers have already "recovered" 20 and another eight would hopefully be rehabilitated before he retires in May.

Santillan, however, noted that while the air force has not purchased any aircraft under the government’s armed forces modernization plan approved in 1996, "the modernization program is right on the track."

"All the projects that we have envisioned are in the pipeline and we will continue with modernization," he said.