PHILIPPINES CANCELS RUSSIA HELICOPTER DEAL

The Philippines has scrapped an order for 16 Russian military helicopters, following reports former president Rodrigo Duterte decided to cancel it due to US sanctions on Moscow.

Manila — a longtime Washington ally — agreed in November to pay 12.7 billion pesos or the Mi-17 helicopters, as it seeks to modernise its military hardware.

The United States and its allies imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Moscow in the wake of its assault on Ukraine in February.

They are aimed at cutting off Russia from the global financial system and choking off funds available to Moscow to finance the war.

The spokesman for Philippine defence department, Arsenio Andolong said it was “formalizing the termination” of the contract.