As long as the 100-million-yuan (around P720-million) weapons grant of the People’s Republic of China is not burdened with conditions or impositions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees no problem in accepting the assistance.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a briefing Thursday.

He added the offer coming from China only demonstrates the two nations’ long standing friendship.

“There is nothing detrimental in accepting their help, especially if these will help fulfill our needs. And we believe these offers are not imposed or burdened with conditions,” Arevalo said in Filipino.

He said the Chinese grant will help boost the AFP’s capability to do its constitutional mandate.

“We do not know yet the quantities, but we are looking at fast boats, drones, night-vision goggles, and communications equipment,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had earlier said on the Chinese grant.

The grant was announced following a meeting of President Duterte with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua last Dec. 19 in Malacañang.

The Chinese envoy said the grant is China’s support to the President’s war on illegal drugs and terrorism. The Chinese government also offered a low-interest long-term loan amounting to US$500 million.

Secretary Lorenzana said the DND will study the offer vis-à-vis the current AFP Modernization Program.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by MANILA BULLETIN

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