By GENALYN D. KABILING
The government is looking into the possible purchase of defense equipment from Israel and Jordan following President Duterte’s official visit.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Department of National Defense and the Department of Interior and Local Government “might” consider the acquisition of weapons from the two countries amid reported cheaper costs.
But for now, Roque said there was “no commitment yet” on any weapons deal with the two nations.
Roque made the remarks a day after President Duterte returned to the country with revitalized economic, labor, and defense relations with Israel and Jordan.
In his trip to Israel, the President, who admitted he prefers the military to get intelligence gathering Israel equipment, visited a military facility to view its modern defense hardware.
Duterte also was given a tour at the Jordan’s special operations training center where he witnessed an urban terrain demonstration by Jordanian forces. Jordan has promised to give two attack helicopters and other equipment such as mortars, rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades to the Philippines.
Roque said the President was impressed with the defense capability and equipment of the two nations.
“I take it he was equally impressed. And I take it also that the costs of the hardware were a lot cheaper compared to where we to buy it from other countries,” Roque said. “Basta sabi lang nila, they were impressed by it and it was a lot cheaper compared to what they have seen from other countries,” he added.