The United States is the Philippines’ biggest supplier of military hardware and arms. However Duterte, who took office last year, has sought to loosen the Philippines’ ties with the United States while forging closer relations with China and Russia. He has looked to China and Russia as new sources of weapons, and complained about the quality of “second-hand” American military hardware. “I will not accept any more military equipment that is second hand. It included four M134D Gatling-style machine guns, which are capable of firing thousands of rounds a minute, as well as 300 M4 assault rifles and 100 grenade launchers.

Source: Manila Times June 05, 2017 09:33 UTC