WASHINGTON D.C. - The Philippines is still looking for funds to buy at least 20 F-16 fighter jets from the United States, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said, adding that they are also looking to buy other defense items instead.

Speaking to Filipino and Japanese journalists at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., Romualdez said they are now finding ways to look for money for the fighter jets worth $5.58 billion. 

The US State Department announced in April it has approved the possible sale of fighter jets and related equipment to the Philippines.

“It's a question of how we would be able to finance it. And we're working with the United States and Lockheed to see whether we can find a way to be able to purchase this,” Romualdez said.

He added that they may focus on other equipment or items instead like land-based defense equipment.

 US approves $5.58-B sale of F-16 fighter jets to Philippines

“We're really looking at other Items that are, I think in the view of our national defense strategy, more important, the priority for us rather than the F-16… our priority is more on perhaps land-based type of defence capabilities,” Romualdez added.

In an earlier statement, The Philippine Department of Defense has said it has yet to receive a formal offer and proposal on the potential sale of the F-16 fighter jets. The US State Department also said last month that the deal would be final only after “a signed Letter of Offer and Acceptance” was received from the ‘purchasing partner.’