Hiniling ng Department of National Defense (DND) sa Department of Justice (DoJ) na imbestigahan ang umano’y extortion racket ng isang supplier na nabigong makuha ang P1.2-bilyong kontrata sa pagbili ng 21 helicopter para sa Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Ito ay matapos maghain ng reklamo si Phil Kemp, vice president at country manager sa Pilipinas ng Rice Aircraft Services, Inc. (RASI), laban sa isang “Rhodora” na nagtangka umanong mangomisyon sa multi-bilyong pisong kontrata sa pagbili ng 21 UH-1D helicopter mula Germany.

Sinabi ni Kemp sa kanyang reklamo na ibinabandera ni Rhodora na kaya niyang brasuhin ang mga transaksiyon sa DND at iba pang ahensiya habang hinihintay ang delivery ng mga helicopter.

“During the implementation of the contract, Rhodora demanded that the joint venture pay her 15 percent of the contract amount right away as her commission,” ayon kay Kemp.

Ayon pa kay Kemp, ipinagmamalaki rin ni Rhodora na mayroon itong koneksiyon sa mga opisyal na nag-aapruba ng kontrata na kailangang ambunan nito ng komisyon mula sa P1.2-bilyon deal.

“Since the revocation of her (Rhodora) authority on January 23, 2015, the joint venture has received several electronic messages from her threatening to sabotage the project unless the joint venture heeds her demand. Most notable among her many and unethical and possible unlawful acts was the cancellation of the performance bond which the firm submitted to the AFP,” pahayag ni Kemp.

“The helicopters are conceivably the most highly modified and advanced version of the UH-1 that has ever existed. These are also configured with crash-worthy self-sealing main fuel cells. Aside from that, the helicopters are fully NVG (Night Vision Goggles) compatible and configured. Eight helicopter were further modified to the Super Delta configuration, which installed the upgraded T-53-L-703 engine providing greater power reserves and expansion of the operational envelope,” dagdag ng opisyal ng RASI.

Kontra sa pahayag ni Rhodora na mababa ang kalidad ng mga helicopter, iginiit ni Kemp na ang configuration ng refurbished UH-1D chopper ay isa sa pinakamoderno sa mundo.

“Although the helicopter(s) was originally manufactured between 1968 to 1981, each helicopter underwent a major Structural Life Extension Programme (SLEP) upgrade from 1993-1998 that involved not only updating the avionics systems and rewiring the entire helicopter with modern materials, but a complete structural upgrade. These SLP program me represented a massive financial investment in manpower and materials that has not been matched in any other version of the UH-1,” aniya.