Duterte will ask Russia to become the alternative supplier of arms
Rodrigo Duterte sent a message to the United States after he made statements about potentially blocked the sale of weapons.
"They are blackmailing me that they will not sell weapons? We have a lot of explosives," said Duterte, according to CNN. The US state Department has stopped the sale of about 26 thousand rifles in connection with concerns about recent entry in the field of human rights in the country.
A press-the Secretary of the Department John Kirby said he could not comment on the cancellation of the sale of weapons in connection with Federal standards. Philippine police chief Ronald said that his country will seek weapons elsewhere if he can't buy rifles from the United States.
The number of guns is not a huge loss for the Philippines - they can buy weapons from other countries, says Richard Jawad, Professor of political science at De La Salle University. However, this is clearly a sign that the Obama administration is losing patience with the Philippines. "This is a shot in the nose - this is a warning shot," he said. "Washington will not turn a blind eye to alleged human rights violations."
Duterte was elected President after he pledged to spend a total war on drugs. As soon as he took office, the country saw a sharp increase in violence and extrajudicial killings. War Duterte with drug lords angered the international community, but it remains an incredibly popular President.
Duterte hinted in the past that he is committed to the strengthening of Russian-Filipino relations.
He also said that Russia could serve as an alternative supplier of arms.
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