President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC
President Rodrigo Duterte slammed the United States on Friday after it warned the Philippine government from buying submarines coming from Russia.
“Diyan tayo mag-away on that principle na… [That is where we will misunderstand each other on that principle that…] What’s the problem about acquiring submarines? We are not using [it] against you, neither can we use it against China or anybody else because we are under armed,” a visibly fuming Duterte said in a speech during the convention of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a party formed by his daughter Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, in Davao City.
“You meet me in a forum. You state your case why are you against my country acquiring submarine. You give me the reason why and make it public. You want us to remain backwards?” Duterte added.
US Defense Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver has warned the Philippines against buying defense equipment from Russia.
READ: Procurement of Russian subs still under study — Lorenzana
“Is that how you want to treat an ally and you want us to stay with you all the time,” Duterte said. /jpv
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