Philippines Plans To Import Arms From Pakistan

Philippines is now eyeing to import weapons and armory from Pakistan in the wake of the South East Asian country’s strained relationship with the USA.

The move diversifies the country's sources from the US, The Philippine Star reported Wednesday.

"I spoke with the (Pakistani) Minister of Defense and my understanding is that the defense industry in Pakistan is very advanced, and that maybe we should look at purchasing military equipment from them," Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said.

"I spoke right away with (Defense Secretary Delfin) Lorenzana. “The equipment in the Pakistan Defense Ministry is very good," he added. Dominguez said this during his meeting with Pakistani Ambassador Safdar Hayat recently.

Pakistan is located in the Middle East and has been battling terrorist groups such as the Al-Qaeda on its borders for years after the attack in the US in September 2011.

Earlier, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was disappointed because of the US criticism on his anti-drugs campaign. He had threatened to cut ties with the country's oldest ally that has been providing military support, especially in Mindanao.

He then said he could turn to Russia and China for weapons, before backtracking and said training between US and Philippine forces in the south would continue together with armament acquisitions.

There are also few reports alleging that the US Senate canceled a gun deal with the Philippines because of the drug war's alleged human rights violations.