(Reuters) — President Rodrigo Duterte told Russian leader Vladimir Putin late Tuesday (May 23) that the Philippines needs modern arms to fight Islamic State and that he expected Russian support.
Duterte also said he had to halt his visit to Moscow and return home as there was still fighting with militants there.
The Maute group is touted to have links with ISIS.
“I have to go home because I should be there at this time. It’s an urgent matter and people should be there at this time,” Duterte said during his meeting with Putin at the Kremlin.
During the meeting, Duterte also asked that the Philippines be granted a loan to buy weapons.
“I am sorry I am in a hurry but I need to buy if you can grant me… I have the money and pay right away. Because the arms we ordered from America was cancelled. And I am having a problem with a rebellion,” Duterte said.
“At the beginning of our meeting I want to express my condolences about the deaths of people in your country which happened as a result of a terror attack. I am, my colleagues, fully understand that you have to return to your homeland urgently,” Putin said.
Putin said he hoped the conflict in the Philippines would be resolved “with minimum losses.”
He also said there were prospects for economic and military cooperation between Moscow and Manila.
