Russia to give 5k Kalashnikov rifles, 20 Army trucks for PHL’s anti-terror efforts — Duterte

SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said weapons from Russia would be arriving in the Philippines soon.

“Five thousand sa inyo baril, Kalashnikov. Mag-aral lang kayo ng Russian para… Expect the arms to come in,” Duterte told members of the elite Scout Rangers after he led the groundbreaking ceremony of the housing project for the soldiers.

“It’s useless keeping it a secret,” he added.

The piece of land where the housing project will be constructed was awarded to the Scout Rangers way back in 2006 pic.twitter.com/SddS2HgeX3

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) October 11, 2017

Asked about Duterte’s revelation, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters that Russia would also donate army trucks. He said these equipment would be brand new.

“Ito iyong donation ng Russia sa ating fight against terrorism. Darating iyong barko nila sa 22 October. Iyong turnover ng baril sa 25 sa Maynila,” he said.

“Ang mga equipment na ibibigay nila sa atin ay mga 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles. That’s about one million rounds ng bala. At saka 20 units ng army trucks, iyong malalaking trucks, ang ibibigay nila sa akin,” he added.

Lorenzana said that it would be up to Duterte which units would receive the rifles. But the trucks would go to the Philippine Army.

He could not say how much all the equipment was worth, but it would come with no strings attached.

“Gusto nila tumulong sa atin to fight terrorism. Sila rin kasi also fighting terrorism sa kanilang bansa and they want to help the worldwide fight against terrorism. Iyan ang kanilang rason,” Lorenzana said. — RSJ, GMA News