(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday (November 3) said the Philippines can buy arms from Russia and China following reports that United States would cancel the sale of 26,000 rifles to be used by the country’s national police force.
In send-off ceremonies for the 17 Vietnamese fishermen in Pangasinan, Duterte said that the Philippines might even buy missiles from Russia.
He said he had directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao commander Lt. General Rey Leonardo Guerrero to explore the possibility of buying missiles from Russia. He also directed Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to go to Russia which has already invited officials on exploring the possibility of arms sale. He said China has also sent him brochures on the weapons that they can deliver.
“Biro mo… loko-lokong mga Amerikano. Pati ba naman ‘yan. Eh ang Russia nagsabi. Ang Ambassador nila nagsabi, ‘You come here to Russia, we all have what you want.’ Sabi ko kay General Esperon, sino ba ‘yung EastMinCom natin? Si General Guerrero. Sabi ko pumunta ka ng Russia, mamili ka doon ng missile. Missile, missile na lang tayo,” Duterte said in his speech in a send off ceremony for the 17 Vietnamese fishermen.
“Pero sabi ko kay Defense Minister, Secretary [Delfin Lorenzana] punta kayo ng Russia. Kasi niyayaya talaga tayo. Pati ang China. China is open. Anything you want. Pinadalhan pa ako brochure. Sabi niya, mamili ka diyan, bigay namin,” the Chief Executive added.
Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa admitted that the letup in the sale of arms could affect the anti-terrorism drive of the police force.
The US State Department reportedly stopped the sale of rifles after Senator Ben Cardin expressed his concern over the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.
Duterte has strengthened ties with Russia and China, while saying that he was a president who wants peace, and not war.
