Manila, July 20 -- The Philippines is currently looking at around five possible suppliers for its multirole fighter (MRF) program, aimed to beef up defensive capabilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday.

Teodoro revealed this plan after being asked on whether the DND is considering other MRFs apart from Sweden's SAAB JAS-39 "Gripen," which is considered as among the best possible fighter aircraft for the PAF.

"Well yung, of course, yung sa (South) Korea kino-consider, its one of those in the options. Meron din offer yung Lockheed, meron din offer yung Dassault at saka Eurofighter (We're also considering (South) Korea's offer, it's one of the options. ...