President Rodrigo Duterte shrugged off the United States’ reported
backtracking on its sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the
Philippines.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to his parents’ tomb at the Davao Public and Roman Catholic Cemetery Tuesday, November 1, Duterte indicated the Philippines need not buy rifles from the U.S.
He invoked his openness to seek ties with Russia.
“Remember what the Russian diplomat said? Come to Russia. We have everything you need,” Duterte remarked.
Duterte had been vocal in establishing cordial relations with China and Russia as part of his push for an independent foreign policy.
He met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos, with Medvedev saying Russia was ready to lend a hand.
Reuters reported that the U.S. State Department would halt its sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines for use by the police due to opposition by Democrat Senator Ben Cardin, who expressed alarm over the human rights violations committed under the Duterte administration.
The post Duterte Brushes Aside US Threat to Stop Rifle Sale to PH appeared first on Manila Bulletin.
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