China offered the Philippines $14-million worth of military arms and equipment.
CHINA – To help the campaign of Pres. Rodrigo ‘Digong’ Duterte against terrorism and illegal drugs, China has offered the Philippines free military arms and equipment.
The relationship between China and the Philippines has undeniably been challenged in the previous months by the territorial dispute between the two nations over the West Philippine Sea.
The issue has become a concern of the international community. It has even reached the arbitral tribunal which gave its verdict on the issue and sided on the Philippines.
However, the issue did not stop with the decision. The Chinese government has not left the disputed island and it was just recently when the Filipino fishermen were already allowed to fish in the island after Pres. Rodrigo Duterte visited the Chinese nation.
Undeniably, the official state visit of the Philippine President to China has warmed the relationship between the two nations. Pres. Duterte even went home a lot of investment projects for the country.
Recently, a news report in ABS-CBN News stated that China offered the Philippines around $14-Million worth of free military arms and equipment.
Based on the report, it was Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana who exposed that it was Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua who offered Pres. Duterte during a meeting with the chief executive in the Palace on Monday.
According to the Defense Chief, the offer was in line of helping the fight against terrorism and drugs. China is also willing to provide loans for the Philippines as to the Defense Chief according to the report. The loan offered could reach up to $500-Million.
The report emphasized that the offer of China came after Pres. Duterte announced that it is not the time for Beijing to be pressed on accepting the ruling over the disputed territory.
The 71-year-old President said that there would be a time that it will be discussed by him and the President of China.
Furthermore, the report also entailed the side of Philippine Ambassador to China Jose ‘Chito’ Sta. Romana who appeared in ANC’s Beyond Politics. According to the report, for the Ambassador, putting aside the ruling of the arbitral tribunal does not mean that the Philippines is giving up its claims.
Undeniably, the relationship between the two nations has warmed up. In a fact, a previous news report entailed that the Philippine President is ready to share the oil resources of the country with China.
