Phl mulls funding for acquiring F-16 jets

Land-based type of defense capability is the priority of the Philippines, considering the steep price of acquiring F-16 multirole fighter jets from the United States.

- By PIA LEE-BRAGO

WASHINGTON — Land-based type of defense capability is the priority of the Philippines, considering the steep price of acquiring F-16 multirole fighter jets from the United States.

In an interview with Filipino and Japanese journalists, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Tuesday (US time) the Philippines will have to study how the country will finance the purchase of F-16 fighter jets.

The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of 20 F-16 fighters to the Philippines, with an estimated price tag of $5.58 billion.

The approved package, which covers 16 F-16C Block 70/72 jets and four F-16B Block 70/72 fighters, came just days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manila in March and pledged greater defense ties between the two countries.

"However, the Philippines now basically will have to study on how we will be able to finance such a big ticket item for us. So it's up to Secretary (Gilbert) Teodoro and ultimately the President on how we will be able to see whether we can purchase these F16s," Romualdez said.