Duterte checks out Korea-made transport utility helicopters

SEOUL — The Philippines is now shopping for transport utility helicopters, months after it cancelled the purchase of 16 Bell helicopters from Canada worth 235 million.

President Rodrigo Duterte took time out on Tuesday, the last day of his three-day visit here, to check out South Korea-made Surion helicopters.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. told reporters that a technical working group from the Philippine Air Force was already “evaluating” the Surion helicopters.

He said the Surion was bigger than the Canadian-made Bell 412 helicopter and could carry nine passengers more than Bell’s seven. —Christine O. Avendaño