Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Lt. Gen.Ricardo Visaya defended yesterday president elect Rodrigo Duterte’s stand on prioritizing acquisition of modern helicopters instead of fighter jets to address the country internal security problem.

Visaya said that Duterte wanted to first bolster the military’s internal defense capabilities before gradually shifting to external defense. ”The president elect only wanted the military to have a modern helicopters with night-flying capability as well as naval fast craft for eternal security operations”. Visaya said.

He added that the AFP modernization program will still push through but the priority would be the internal security operations first. Duterte declared that he will not go to war on China due to some maritime issues and saying that he will not risk the life of many Filipino soldiers in pushing the country’s claim over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. Visaya also said that they need helicopters that they could fly at night and could be use against lawless elements.