China excluded from AFP, PNP procurement deals

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte is looking at government-to-government procurement as a means to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), but indicated any deals would not include China.

“We purchased from China before... The police got China M-16s,” he said, fearing the country’s defense program might be sabotaged.

“Sinadya man ‘yan ng mga tonto rin doon na ‘yung riple niyan pahiwi na. Tingnan mo ‘yung barrel…Eh sabotahe ‘yan eh (Those idiots purposely made the rifle crooked. Look at the barrel… That is sabotage),” he said, noting the apparent defects and low quality of firearms from China.

During a visit to the AFP Medical Center on V. Luna Road in Quezon City on Tuesday, the President said he would forgo the tedious bidding process in government to acquire more guns, ammunition and equipment for the military.

Although he wants to leave a legacy of peace with threat groups in the country during his six-year term, Duterte recognized the need to provide the military with state-of-the-art equipment.

“We should buy from our traditional market. Everything will be quality and fast,” he said, putting on hold details of some equipment he was waiting for.

The President did not mention which markets, but the government dealt with the United States, Israel, Italy and France for items for the modernization program.

The AFP, for its part, is grateful for Duterte’s P500 million assistance to upgrade its premier military hospital.

“This gesture of the President manifests his genuine concern (for) the well-being of his soldiers working for the accomplishment of their missions,” the AFP Public Affairs Office said.

In the same speech, Duterte also expressed the need to improve the patrol cars of the PNP.