US officials seek meeting with Rody on weapons deal
United States officials have asked President Duterte for a meeting on the Philippine armed forces’ modernization program while Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is in Russia to check out military equipment.
Duterte yesterday revealed that US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Defense Secretary James Mathis wrote a letter asking him to meet with them on ways to strengthen the security and trade cooperation between Manila and Washington.
The officials also highlighted the track record of the US as a defense supplier and enumerated the capabilities of the equipment it supplied to the Philippines, Duterte said.
The President said he was willing to meet with officials but challenged them to prove that they are acting in good faith. He noted that some US lawmakers blocked the sale of firearms to the Philippine National Police because of human rights concerns.
“I would like to remind America, all of them...how sure (are they) that I will be able to get what I bought?” Duterte said, noting that the purchase can be hampered by lawmakers who are against it.
He also claimed that three of the six refurbished helicopters sold by the US to the Philippines had crashed.
“It’s very important to me. I owe it to my soldier. We bought six helicopters. They said, they’re refurbished, they were used by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Apparently, they were overused,” the President said.
“Three of the helicopters crashed, killing all my soldiers... now you are talking about procurement. Prove to me first that you are in utter good faith. But I do not want to communicate with them,” he added.
The letter, which was read by Duterte during the 12th anniversary of the Davao-based Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command, said the US-Philippine alliance “is an enduring partnership built on shared history and values.”
“This special relationship will only grow stronger by increasing our dialogue and cooperation especially on security cooperation and trade. At the same time, we understand your country’s need for certainty when considering the selecting technology for the defense and security of the Filipino people,” the letter read.
“We are writing you to reaffirm this administration’s strongest support for your effort to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and our commitment to continue to work with your Congress to support this strategic endeavors,” the letter added.