NANGAKO ang Estados Unidos na magbibigay ng $100 milyon o mahigit P5.5 bilyon sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na gagamitin sa pagbili ng medium-lift helicopters para sa disaster response at non-combat operations.

“I am also pleased to share the US pledge of $100 million or P5.5-billion modernization assistance in this regard, which will be utilized for the acquisition of HADR-configured medium-lift helicopters for the disaster response and non-combat operations of our Armed Forces,” sabi ni Department of National Defense officer in charge Carlito Galvez.

Ayon pa kay Galvez ito ay bukod pa sa $100 milyon na gugugulin ng Estados Unidos sa pagsasaayos ng mga military facility sa mga Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement site.

“The US has also increased the funding for the development of the EDCA sites from $82 million to $100 million, which is equivalent to another P5.5 billion. This brings the total of the US’s pledge of support for the HADR helicopters and EDCA projects to P11 billion,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.