China continues to build its warming relations with the Duterte administration by turning over on Thursday some 3,000 additional Chinese firearms to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The firearms, considered by China as “doleouts”, were received by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo M. Año, who turned them over to Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana during a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo. The bulk of the firearms, given in a military-to-military undertaking, would, however, go to the National Police, Lorenzana said.
“According to the directive of the President, they will be given to the National Police. If you remember the National Police tried to buy 26,000 firearms from a dealer with the United States, but it has taken them too long to deliver, so we are lucky that the Chinese government provided firearms,” the defense chief said.
“The first batch, 3,000 minus 100 retained by the Armed Forces, were given to the National Police immediately after we received them in June and this [batch of firearms will] also will be given to them,” he added.
Lorenzana said the latest delivery by the Chinese “will just pass through our logistics people for records purposes and everything will be handed over to the police, especially the firearms.”
When the first batch of firearms was delivered by Beijing to the country and was turned over to the police, National Police Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the military retained 100 pieces for the police to “study” the guns and subject them to testing.
Apparently, the military, whose standard issue for its members are western made M-16 and M-4 rifles, still casts doubts on the quality and dependability of the Chinese-made firearms.
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said Thursday’s turn over of firearms to defense and military officials shows Beijing’s cooperative relations with Manila.
“You know, China has always committed to friendly and cooperative relations with the Philippines, and today’s delivery, handover of the arms and ammunition is another demonstration of the commitment we have,” he said.
“We’re happy that with the guidance of President Duterte and President Xi Jinping, they are vigorously promoting cooperation in almost areas. One of the highlights is the good relationship that we have resumed between our two militaries,” he added.
Zhao even underscored the need for China and the Philippines to “work together, to trust” so that both countries “can build a good co-operation” between the two militaries “that will contribute to peace and stability” in the region.
Image credits: AP
2 comments
Great just what the Philippines needs more guns.
Very small amount to pay for the thousands of tons of fish China is hauling from West Philippine Sea ti feed its billion population.
Next move for China is to invade Benham/Philippine Rise to get more fish and leave nothing for Filipinos. China already attempted to occupy Benham Rise.