Putin's Gift To President Duterte: Brand New Military Equipment From Russia Arrive In Philippines

Just this May, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte went to Russia for a four-day 'landmark' visit in order to seal bilateral agreements on security, legal assistance and trade. But the trip was cut short when he had to go home because a band of terrorists overran Marawi City on May 23.

In accordance to that, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana then told the reporters that the Russians will deliver the rifles and other equipment on October 22. And the official turnover of the Russian equipment and arms would be on October 25. He also added that these were given with no conditions attached.

"Ang mga equipment na ibibigay nila sa atin at 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles. It has about one million rounds ng bala at saka 20 units ng army trucks, yung malalaking truck. Yun ang ibibigay satin." 

"Grant iyan at no cost. Gusto nilang tumulong sa atin to fight terrorism. Sila rin kasi is fighting terrorism sa kanilang bansa and they want to help the worldwide fight against terrorism. Iyan ang kanilang rason."

Meanwhile, just this Sunday,  October 22, two Russian vessels arrived at Subic Bay Freeport to deliver the donated military equipment to us as a part of the growing partnership of Russia and Philippines.

The two vessels from Russia were the Russian Alligator-class Landing Ship 081 "Nikolai Vilkov" and the salvage tug "Foty Krylov." It delivered Ural 4320 military trucks that are donations of Moscow to the Philippines.

The 20 actual Ural 4320, 8-ton 6x6 military trucks were loaded with 5,000 high-powered rifle and one million bullets. All are brand new.

Source: Facebook