Manila, Beijing eye transfer of more Chinese weapons
MANILA — The Philippines and China yesterday agreed to take steps to strengthen their military ties which might include cooperation in the fight against extremism and the transfer of another batch of Chinese firearms.
Meeting at the Department of National Defense, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Chang Wanquan agreed to increase the two nations' bilateral security engagements in the coming months in a bid to strengthen their defense and military relations.
"Riding on the improvement of our defense relations, it is only proper for us to move forward," Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana and Chang agreed to enhance their fight against terrorism and extremism, just days after the Philippines announced the end of the siege of Marawi City in Mindanao.
To achieve this goal, the two nations are looking at the possibility of improved intelligence sharing, joint counterterrorism exercises and specialized training.
Chang said there were already plans for China to donate another batch of weapons and equipment later this year or early next year to help Manila in fighting terrorism which the two nations consider as a "common enemy."
Lorenzana also thanked China for its support in the military's operations in Marawi including its earlier donations of rifles and ammunition which the defense chief said, "helped a lot in our fight against terrorists in Marawi."
The decision to enhance security and military ties comes as the Philippines received Russian weapons and signed a defense agreement with Moscow, a sign of the continuation of President Rodrigo Duterte's so-called independent foreign policy which includes Manila's rapprochement with non-traditional partners.