Trudeau firm as Duterte vows to end Canada, US arms deals

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is undeterred by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to end military purchases from countries including the US and Canada that impose conditions on how the weaponry is used, standing by his country’s review of a helicopter sale.

“The statements that have been coming out of the Philippines on the potential or possible uses of those helicopters have given us cause to need to follow up on that, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Trudeau said on Saturday in Los Angeles, during a press conference with the city’s mayor.

Trudeau responded after Duterte on Friday said he is scrapping the acquisition of 16 Canadian Bell helicopters. 

“Do not buy any more from Canada or from the United States because there is always a condition attached,” Duterte told reporters in Davao City, where he previously served as mayor, on Friday before announcing in a subsequent speech that the deal would be cancelled. The Canadian government denied the deal had been scrapped.

Canada ordered a review a day after the agreement was signed amid concern that the aircraft would be used against Filipino rebels. Duterte did not deny that: “We will really use these weapons invariably against the rebels and terrorists,” he said, according to a transcript provided by his office.