Philippines ordered firearms from China are ready to be shipped, a month after the US government decided to stop the sale of 26,000 rifles to Manila.
"China is pressing me na andiyan na ang armas. Tatangapin ko na eh. Apurado sila," President Rodrigo Duterte said.
"Nagkakahiyaan na. Andiyan na ang armas. Gusto na nila ibigay... Mabibigay na iyan. So its obvious na ang China, gusto magbigay sa atin," said the President, clarifying that the firearms are not free, but payable in 25 years.
"That is practically giving," he added. The President, however, did not immediately disclose specifics of the firearms deal, including the amount and the number of firearms involved.
Due to his busy schedule, however, Duterte said he would most likely be unable to go back to China and would just send Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to finalize the purchase.
"Marami pa akong gagawin. Sabi ko na lang kay Defense secretary, sabi ko puntahan mo sila at kunin mo na. I suppose we would send some general to receive," Duterte said.
The Philippines renewed its ties with China during Duterte's state visit last October.
During the visit, Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and both leaders agreed on various matters, including the two countries' territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
