Bato ribs US embassy: I thought you’ll take back police equipment

The United States Embassy donated several high-tech equipment to the Philippine National Police on Wednesday even after the canceled meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Barack Obama in Laos.

In a report by Cedric Castillo on "24 Oras," PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa ribbed US embassy officials during the turnover ceremony before the American delegates in Camp Crame.

"I was afraid this morning when I read the news that since president obama canceled the meeting with president duterte, you may as well cancel the turnover of these equipment," Dela Rosa said.

"Now you can no longer take them back because you have already turned this over to us," he added.

Dela Rosa added the equipment will be distributed to different end-users such as the PNP Training Service, the Anti-cybercrime Group, Special Action Force, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and K-9 units.

He praised the timely donation from the US, especially the bomb suits, in neutralizing explosives amid the blast that rocked Davao City last Friday.

"Kulang kasi. Ang mga mamahaling mga gamit hndi readily available sa atin locally, very tmely yung binibigay sa atin ngayon," Dela Rosa said.

Meanwhile, the PNP chief expressed confidence the canceled meeting between Duterte and Obama would not affect the Philippines and US' ties.

"Hindi naman siguro naapektuhan ang relationship natin sa US government. Konting tampuhan lang siguro yun kaya di natuloy ang meeting... otherwise kung nasira cancel nila ang pag turnover nitong mga gamit na ito. Good, good pa rin tayo," Dela Rosa said. —NB, GMA News