Exclusive - Why Duterte Wants To Cut Ties With US and Buy Weapons From China And Russia Instead

“We are not cutting our alliances – military (alliances) as well. But certainly, we will follow an independent posture and independent foreign policy," This was the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte following series of conflicts with other leaders such as U.S. President Barack Obama. After statements downgrading the US' help for the country, he immediately changed his tone and said that PH needs US after all.

But recently, he seemed to have changed gears again as he announced last September 13 that he is considering to acquire firearms and defense equipment from China and Russia instead of the US.

Upon waging all-out war against the notorious bandit group in the country Abu Sayyaff, the country is certainly in dire need of arms and different equipment's to aid the country's military in their battles. Currently, the US has provided two warships and has offered F-16 jets. However, Duterte stated that we should rather have small planes and bombers.

This greatly affects the agreement between US and PH in joining force against China regarding China's disagreement in The Hague's ruling which favored the Philippines in the dispute with the West Philippine Sea. But Duterte noted how the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute revealed that it is Asia who is currently the main producer of weapons around the world for the last 5 years, the most productive of which are China and Russia. Duterte also announced that he is already striking a deal with the two nations and would rather deal with them than with US.