Philippines eyeing arms from China, Russia
Since Rodrigo Duterte’s investiture with the presidency, the Philippines has been seeking to diversify its international sources of weapons.
As a result of political overtures, Duterte has encouraged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to look to China and Russia.
On the cards is a free $14 million arms package from China, as offered by Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua in December. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on 26 January that the AFP was looking at unmanned aerial vehicles, remote-controlled bomb disposal equipment, sniper rifles and round-corner rifles that could be used to fight drug traffickers and terrorists.
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