PH to get free rifles from China

National Police Chief Director General Ronald “Bato’ dela Rosa INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

China is giving 23,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police for free, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said on Wednesday.

Dela Rosa said they were preparing the papers for the government-to-government project for China to give 23,000 M4 assault rifles to the PNP.

“We will not buy (these). They will give us. I have not signed any agreement but I was just informed we will be given M4s,” Dela Rosa told reporters.

“We will need these because our police stations in far-flung areas in the countryside were overrun by the NPA (New People’s Army) due to a lack of firearms. So, this is good,” he added.

The United States last year halted the sale of 26,000 to 27,000 assault rifles to the Philippines due to human rights concerns about the PNP’s war against drugs.

Dela Rosa said it would “still be OK” if the United States proceeds with the sale eventually.

“If it pushes through, then that is still OK. We are 175,000 and (China) will give us 23,000 so there is still a big shortage,” he added.

Dela Rosa said there was still no definite date for the arrival of the M4 rifles from China.

Asked if China asked for something in return, the PNP chief said: “There was none.”