PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa was saddened by the report about the possible cancellation of the deal with US on rifles.
The PNP Chief considered “a lost opportunity” if U.S. State Department will pursue the decision to stop the planned sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police.
The PNP’s scheduled purchase of 26, 000 M4 rifles from the U.S. was stopped after top Democrat Senator Ben Cardin said he opposes providing weapons to the Philippines. This is amid concerns about human rights violations caused by the bloody campaign against illegal drugs of the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Based on the records, the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the administration has so far claimed more than 3,000 suspected pushers and users across the country, four months after Duterte sit into the office on June 30.
“Sayang din, kasi we really need those firearms para sa ating public safety forces sa PNP [It’s regrettable because we really need those firearms for our public safety forces in the PNP],” PNP Director General Ronald ”Bato” dela Rosa said.
He said the PNP will have to look for a new firearms supplier if the U.S. decides not to proceed with the deal. Although Dela Rosa considers U.S. weapons as reliable and dependable.
“Nababawasan (ang firepower) but somehow hahanapan natin ng paraan kung paano natin ma-compensate iyung sitwasyon na yan [This diminishes our firepower but somehow, we will have to look for a way to compensate],” Dela Rosa said.
“Masyado tayong nakatutok lang sa U.S., may ibang bansa pa palang may effective and affordable firearms. Kinasanayan na (lang kasi) natin ang firearms sa U.S. [We have been closely studying the firearams deal with the U.S. that we have forgotten that there are other countries that can provide effective and affordable firearms. We were just used to using weapons from the U.S.],” he added.
According to Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman, the U.S.-made assault rifles would have been supplied by SIG Sauer, a European brand.