The Russian government awards new military equipment including assault rifles, ammunition and military trucks.
20 new multipurpose military trucks were awarded by the government of Russia to the Philippines.
They are proofs of the improving ties between Manila and Moscow under the Duterte administration.
The equipment are expected to further improve the capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In addition to these, five thousand AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifles, one million ammunition, and five thousand steel helmets were also given to equip the Filipino soldiers in fighting terrorism.
President Rodrigo Duterte witnessed the turn over of the military donations at the port of Manila together with the Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu.
The chief executive also had a shipboard and air defense system tour inside Admiral Pantaleev.
According to national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon, this is part of intensifying alliance of the Philippines with many countries.
Esperon also pointed out that the donated military equipment will provide diversity to our kind of training. That should be a welcome addition because we get more exposure to different technologies as well as techniques.
The United States of America is not worried with the enhanced relationship of the Philippines with China and Russia.
US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim says President Duterte has clarified that although the Philippines is having better relationship with China and Russia, he assures that the alliance between US and the Philippines will remain strong.
"So frankly, I am not really threatened by this notion that China or Russia are providing some military equipment to the Philippines. We have been providing very important equipment to the Philippines for many, many years". Ambassador Sung Kim said.
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