PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd was “fooled big-time” into believing that the P1.2- billion helicopter deal involving the supply of 21 refurbished “Huey” helicopters would be a success because none of the aircraft could fly nearly two years after the President announced their expected arrival.

“Joey,” The Manila Times source who revealed defects in the “onerous” and “disadvantageous” deal, said if Aquino was “fooled” in the Mamasapano operation as he claimed, he was also fooled into assuming that the helicopter gunships would be able to support embattled troops on the ground.