We'll buy arms from Russia, Philippines' Duterte tells Putin
Source: Reuters
DANANG, Vietnam (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte thanked Moscow on Friday for its timely assistance in defeating pro-Islamic State militants who took over a southern city for months, expressing his willingness to buy Russian weapons.
Duterte last month declared the liberation of Marawi City from Islamist militants after 154 days of fighting, which killed more than 1,100 people, including 165 soldiers, and displaced nearly 400,000 residents.
I want to build a strong armed forces and a strong police and the reason is very important for you to know that we are eyeing - we are buying arms from Russia this time, Duterte told Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam.
The Philippines was to buy more than 20,000 assault rifles from the United States, but some senators, concerned with Dutertes human rights record and rising killings, blocked that sale.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apec-summit-philippines-russia/well-buy-arms-from-russia-philippines-duterte-tells-putin-idUSKBN1DA1K7
woundedkarma
(498 posts)I had a feeling duterte was in bed with putin too. I'll bet the election was rigged by putin as well.
I did not know that putin had given duterte weapons...
I know philippines have had trouble with islamic militants for a while now but I'll bet they've been getting more worked up and better armed.
Putin had made friends with Japan and the Philippines. He's taken over the USA via trump. He has split the Euro union by bringing about brexit. (a guess... it came fast and is just too good for russia for it to be a coincidence)
Ukraine and Syria...
I would bet my computer that he is deeply involved with North Korea.
What else does he have his grubby fingers in?
He has set the world up like dominoes.
Turbineguy
(37,341 posts)Only this time, the Russians prevail.