CAMP TECSON, Bulacan – The Russian government will donate 5,000 rifles and military trucks to the Philippines to help in the country’s fight against terrorism.

“We will have the 5,000 sa inyo, baril (guns for you) Kalashnikov,” Duterte said in a speech here after he led the unveiling of the Scout Ranger Ville here.

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Kalashnikov is a brand name of Russian-made assault rifles that was being used by the former Soviet Union. The famous among its product line is the AK-47, which is considered one of the most durable firearms around the world.

In an ambush interview, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that Russia was donating 5,000 rifles and 20 military trucks to the government.

“Ito yung (This is the) donation ng Russia sa ating (in our) fight against terrorism. Darating yung barko nila dito sa (Their vessel will arrive here on) 22 October, which is about two weeks from now tapos yung turnover ng mga equipment, mga baril sa 25 sa Manila,” Lorenzana told reporters.

“Ang equipment na ibibigay nila sa atin ay 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles at 20 units ng army trucks,” he added.

The defense chief said he couldn’t say the cost of the defense equipment but he said they were given without any condition.

“At no cost,” he briefly said, adding that the defense equipment were all brand new.

He said Russia wanted to help in the government’s fight against terrorism.

“Kasi gusto nila tumulong sa atin to fight terrorism dahil sila rin kasi is also fighting sa kanilang bansa and they also want to fight the worldwide fight against terrorism. Yan ang kanilang rason,” he said.

He said the Philippine government was open for a joint military exercises with Russia.

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“Maybe in the future kasi wala pa tayong mga agreement wala tayong agreement for that pero ang sabi nila kung wala pang agreement na pwede silang pumunta dito pwede tayong magpadala doon sa kanila ng mga small groups lang mga siguro squad or platoon- first to observe their exercises and later on to participate,” he said.

The President, he said, was also had no problem with a joint exercises with Russia.

“Oo, okay naman sa kanya wala namang problema doon,” he said. /jpv

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