SUAL, PANGASINAN—In an apparent about-face, President Duterte on Wednesday said he would consider continuing to acquire weapons and defense equipment from treaty ally the United States if the military would recommend it, despite offers from China and Russia. They even sent me a brochure, telling me to choose and they will provide,” Mr. Duterte said. “I’m just holding off because I’m looking at the military,” he said. Mr. Duterte, who took office in June, has been antagonistic to US, EU and UN officials who have raised concerns about extrajudicial killings in his brutal war on drugs. More than 3,700 people, mostly small-time users and pushers, have been killed by police and suspected vigilantes since Mr. Duterte launched the crackdown on drugs on June 30.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 03, 2016 17:53 UTC