Russia-PHL arms deal to proceed, says DND spokesman

The Department of National Defense on Thursday said the purchase of arms from a supposedly blacklisted Russian firm would proceed as planned amid possible risks of breaching sanctions imposed by the United States.

DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said that they have "not seen or received a copy or notice" of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) which was signed into law in 2017.

"In keeping with the President's guidance and his independent foreign policy, we are not limiting our sources to only a few countries in order to allow us to acquire the best technology allowed by our budget," Andolong said in a text message to GMA News Online.

"Notwithstanding the potential issues that may arise from CAATSA, our Modernization Program remains on track," he added.

An earlier Reuters report said that Manila had agreed in October last year to a P400 million ($7.48 million)  worth of 750 RPG-7B rocket propelled grenade launchers from Russia's state-owned Rosoboronexport, but the transfer has yet to be completed.

However, US President Donald Trump, who sought better ties with Moscow, reluctantly signed in August last year the law that imposes sanctions against any country trading with Russia's defense and intelligence sectors.

The law is designed to punish Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014, support for Syria's government, and alleged meddling in the US presidential election in 2016.

Asked on whether this would affect the arms deal of Philippines with Russia, Andolong said: "Wala, kasi the transaction is between the Philippine government and the Russian government."

"Hypothetical, they can call our attention, they can impose sanctions, kasi we have a standing agreement with them. So these are possible implications but ayaw pa namin mag-speculate kasi hindi pa nag-uusap ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas tsaka ng US tungkol dito sa CAATSA," Andolong said in a phone interview.

"So masyadong maaga pa na sabihin kong ganitong maaring mangyari, dapat sa kanila manggaling 'yon hindi sa atin. As far as we're concerned tuloy pa rin naman ang ating mga transactions with them," he added.

Also on Thursday, Malacañang belittled the possible US sanctions over the arms deal with Russia.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, a lawyer, said the government will study the matter even as he questioned how the US can enforce a domestic legislation on a sovereign state and a transaction that will not occur on American soil.

"In the exercise of a function of national defense, we have absolute immunity as a sovereign state. I do not know how a US law could be applicable to a transaction that will be done outside of the United States," Roque, a former international law professor, told reporters.

"The sale will be most likely in Russia. The goods are in Russia and the delivery in the Philippines. So, what is the relevance of US laws?" he added. — RSJ, GMA News