Duterte to give pistols to all 120,000 PH soldiers

Pia Ranada

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Duterte to give pistols to all 120,000 PH soldiers

Rene B. Lumawag

Over 120,000 new pistols will be purchased from Israel, says the President

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is giving additional guns to all 120,000 soldiers in the Philippine military.

“I have decided to arm you all, all enlisted men and women, side arms. It’s the Glock caliber .45, Glock 30,” Duterte said on Tuesday, September 20, during a visit to a military camp in Mawab, Compostela Valley. 

His announcement was greeted with applause from his audience of soldiers. 

The Glock 30 .45 caliber pistols will be purchased from Israel, said Duterte. He did not explain where the funds for this will come from. 

“You should get it as fast as Israel can produce it. I am buying so ilan kayo? Almost 130…120,000 plus. So that’s 120,000. Bibilin ko ‘yan para sa inyo,” he said.

(I am buying so how many are you? Almost 130…120,000 plus. So that’s 120,0000. I’ll buy them for you.)

Duterte previously said he had instructed Department of National Defense officials to go to China and Russia to buy military equipment. This time, he added India and Israel as possible sources of defense assets.

Ngayon, lahat ng anti-terrorism equipment, marami na ang nagpunta: China, India, Israel. Sabi ko there will be only at least one or two source sa ating intelligence equipment,” he said.

(Now, all our anti-terrorism equipment, many have gone to China, India, Israel. I said there will be only at least one or two sources of our intelligence equipment.)

Duterte has been visiting military camps all over the country since his 3rd week in power. During these visits, he speaks to soldiers assuring them of his loyalty, explaining the need for the government to talk to communist and Moro rebels, and making promises to take care of the military. 

The President has promised to raise their salaries and add 20,000 more soldiers to the armed forces, to buy state-of-the-art military equipment, to improve military health facilities, and to protect soldiers from jail time should cases be filed against them for their actions while “performing their duty.”

He has also visited military hospitals, giving cash assistance and medals to soldiers wounded in action. – Rappler.com

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.