Duterte eyes sending military for training in China

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 10th Biennial National Convention and 20th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) at the Manila Hotel on February 19, 2018. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte is thinking of sending the military to China for training.

“Kaya ang suggestion ko ‘yung next batch diretso na sa China para ang loob nila balance. So I’m sure there is an academy there to train good professional Chinese soldiers,” Duterte said in a speech before Filipino-Chinese businessmen at the Manila Hotel on Monday night.

“Maybe China can accommodate them also and let them not really to fight the Americans but terrorism,” he added.

Last year, Duterte said the Russian government offered to train some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Aside from security training, Duterte has said the Philippines and Russia would also share intelligence database to help fight transnational crimes and terrorism.