U.S. Stopped Philippines Rifle Sale That Senator Opposed - Source

[Hindustani78]

Tue Nov 1, 2016 | 9:05am EDT
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-usa-rifles-idUSKBN12V2AM

A member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) stands guard while residents look on near the scene where two suspected drug pushers were killed during a police operation, in metro Manila, Philippines October 8, 2016. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

By Patricia Zengerle | WASHINGTON

The U.S. State Department halted the planned sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines' national police after Senator Ben Cardin said he would oppose it, Senate aides told Reuters on Monday.

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for the United States to provide the weapons given concerns about human rights violations in the Philippines.

News of the thwarting of the weapons sale was met with disappointment among the Philippine police and government on Tuesday, but they said alternative suppliers would be found. Police spokesman Dionardo Carlos said the Philippines had yet to be notified about the sale being stopped.

The relationship between the United States and the Philippines, a long-time ally, has been complicated lately by President Rodrigo Duterte's angry reaction to criticism from Washington of his violent battle to rid the country of illegal drugs.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in police operations or by suspected vigilantes in connection with the anti-narcotics campaign since Duterte took office on June 30.

The U.S. State Department informs Congress when international weapons sales are in the works. Aides said Foreign Relations committee staff informed State that Cardin would oppose the deal during the department's prenotification process for the sale of 26,000-27,000 assault rifles, stopping the deal.

U.S. State Department officials did not comment.

Ronald dela Rosa, the Philippine national police chief and staunch supporter of the war on drugs, said he liked the American rifle, but suggested China as an alternative small-arms provider.

"We really wanted the U.S. rifles because these are reliable," he told broadcaster ABS-CBN.

"But if the sale will not push through, we will find another source, maybe from China."

 

[Hindustani78]

Reuters / Tuesday, November 01, 2016
A funeral parlour worker, whose hands are bloodied from carrying bodies of killed people, rests against the wall of a house in Manila, Philippines. According to police and witnesses, unknown masked gunmen killed five people inside a house that is a known drug den. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

 

[cloud4000]

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for the United States to provide the weapons given concerns about human rights violations in the Philippines.

But the good senator has no objections to US selling billions in military equipment to the Gulf states, who then use it to kill Yemeni citizens through indiscriminate bombing? More US hypocrisy laid bare.

 

[lonelyman]

Tue Nov 1, 2016 | 9:05am EDT
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-usa-rifles-idUSKBN12V2AM

A member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) stands guard while residents look on near the scene where two suspected drug pushers were killed during a police operation, in metro Manila, Philippines October 8, 2016. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

By Patricia Zengerle | WASHINGTON

The U.S. State Department halted the planned sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines' national police after Senator Ben Cardin said he would oppose it, Senate aides told Reuters on Monday.

Aides said Cardin, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reluctant for the United States to provide the weapons given concerns about human rights violations in the Philippines.

News of the thwarting of the weapons sale was met with disappointment among the Philippine police and government on Tuesday, but they said alternative suppliers would be found. Police spokesman Dionardo Carlos said the Philippines had yet to be notified about the sale being stopped.

The relationship between the United States and the Philippines, a long-time ally, has been complicated lately by President Rodrigo Duterte's angry reaction to criticism from Washington of his violent battle to rid the country of illegal drugs.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in police operations or by suspected vigilantes in connection with the anti-narcotics campaign since Duterte took office on June 30.

The U.S. State Department informs Congress when international weapons sales are in the works. Aides said Foreign Relations committee staff informed State that Cardin would oppose the deal during the department's prenotification process for the sale of 26,000-27,000 assault rifles, stopping the deal.

U.S. State Department officials did not comment.

Ronald dela Rosa, the Philippine national police chief and staunch supporter of the war on drugs, said he liked the American rifle, but suggested China as an alternative small-arms provider.

"We really wanted the U.S. rifles because these are reliable," he told broadcaster ABS-CBN.

"But if the sale will not push through, we will find another source, maybe from China."

America's arrogance at best, this blackmail used to work, not anymore
Rifles, cannons, airplanes, ships, missiles, rockets, satellites, electronics, whatever, China has and even cheaper
And for Christs sake, just some rifles, not F-22, why Pinoys need buy them from the big bully instead making them themselves?

 

[Chhatrapati]

America's arrogance at best, this blackmail used to work, not anymore
Rifles, cannons, airplanes, ships, missiles, rockets, satellites, electronics, whatever, China has and even cheaper
And for Christs sake, just some rifles, not F-22 or satellites, why Philippine need buy them from the big bully instead making them themselves?

Unfortunately blackmail works most of the time for US. US is the largest investor in Philippines and that's a leverage. You can't build rifles as most designs are patented. Majority of these are with Russia, US or EU. China might have Cheaper rifles but the efficiency is slightly less than that of the US or Russia, EU.

 

[lonelyman]

Unfortunately blackmail works most of the time for US. US is the largest investor in Philippines and that's a leverage. You can't build rifles as most designs are patented. Majority of these are with Russia, US or EU. China might have Cheaper rifles but the efficiency is slightly less than that of the US or Russia, EU.

AK 47 patents must expire way back

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

America's arrogance at best, this blackmail used to work, not anymore

That's ridiculous logic. We don't have to sell guns for reasons we don't like. There are plenty of other companies on this planet they can choose.

...Unless you feel the reliability of our weapons is considerably above all the competition that it limits the Philippines abilities...

Aren't you the ones pointing the finger at us for selling the Japanese stuff while they were invading your country? You have a short memory or something?

 

[cnleio]

Okay ... now Philippines can get "Made in China" M4 rifle (CQ-A 5.56) from China !
Not a big deal, isn't it ?

 

[Nike]

I am always though sanctions will made you tough

Phil homemade industry can produce capable small arms

 

[Zsari]

That's ridiculous logic. We don't have to sell guns for reasons we don't like. There are plenty of other companies on this planet they can choose.

...Unless you feel the reliability of our weapons is considerably above all the competition that it limits the Philippines abilities...

Aren't you the ones pointing the finger at us for selling the Japanese stuff while they were invading your country? You have a short memory or something?

US can certainly refuse to sell anything or everything to anyone, but doing so would only force Duterte's hand into converting his rhetoric into actual policy. For that China welcomes the ban. BTW why did the US complain to the WTO when China put quota on exporting rare earth minerals?

 

[Khan_patriot]

Okay ... now Philippines can get "Made in China" M4 rifle (CQ-A 5.56) from China !
Not a big deal, isn't it ?

View attachment 348262 View attachment 348263 View attachment 348264 View attachment 348265

The rifle does look pretty nice, is it as unreliable as the M4 though ????

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

BTW why did the US complain to the WTO when China put quota on exporting rare earth minerals?

Because you underpriced and outsold the competition for a long time causing countries to close their rare earth mines...only to then announce a sudden quota/stoppage. It would take time to ramp up all those mines again. When they started the ramp up you announced the quota was rescinded. So they shut down again.

Sort of like when OPEC raises prices other countries can start pumping. When they lower prices the countries stop because it isn't profitable at the price. See how shale oil suddenly became hot when OPEC raised the price and how OPEC is trying to shut them down by lowering the price.

 

[Zsari]

Because you underpriced and outsold the competition for a long time causing countries to close their rare earth mines...only to then announce a sudden quota/stoppage. It would take time to ramp up all those mines again. When they started the ramp up you announced the quota was rescinded. So they shut down again.

Sort of when OPEC raises prices other countries can start pumping. When they lower prices the countries stop because it isn't profitable at the price.

And US have a problem with OPEC? That's like so long ago.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

And US have a problem with OPEC? That's like so long ago.

China is in a similar situation:
http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-G...hinese-Oil-Production-Kill-The-OPEC-Deal.html

 

[Hindustani78]

That's ridiculous logic. We don't have to sell guns for reasons we don't like. There are plenty of other companies on this planet they can choose.

...Unless you feel the reliability of our weapons is considerably above all the competition that it limits the Philippines abilities...

Aren't you the ones pointing the finger at us for selling the Japanese stuff while they were invading your country? You have a short memory or something?

June 5, 2015
A strategic partnership deal agreement signed Thursday between Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Under the deal, Japan will provide military hardware and technology, while helping to further strengthen Philippine coastal defense.

Japanese government will begin military equipment transfer of P-3C anti-submarine reconnaissance aircraft and sophisticated radar technology.

P-3C, originally designed by Lockeed Martin Corp. and produced in Japan by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, would be Japan’s first fully fledged military export since Tokyo lifted its restrictions on such items last year.

Japan and the Philippines also signed a deal confirming the supply of 10 patrol vessels to the Philippine coast guard so it can step up patrols around West Philippine Sea or South China Sea but contested by China.

The purchase of 44-meter high-speed/high-endurance boats from Japan maritime United will sharply enhance the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard to patrol the disputed waters in West Philippines Sea.

According to the report, the delivery of patrol vessels will start as early as the first quarter of 2016. The boats will armed with Mk44 Bushmaster II chain guns and other variants of machine guns.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, listens to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a joint press conference following their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. AP/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool

The two leaders affirmed Japan’s significant contributions over the years to the efforts of the Philippines to strengthen its maritime capabilities through human resource development, capacity-building assistance and provision of patrol vessels and other equipment for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), taking into account the long history of cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and the PCG. On that basis, they shared the intention to further cooperate in various areas of common interest for maritime security and safety.

The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Exchange of Notes on Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan for the two large-scale patrol vessels to the Philippines as well as the steady progress in the provision of ten patrol vessels, which Japan had already decided to provide. President Duterte expressed his appreciation for Japan’s continuous support in this field.

The two leaders also welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Implementation and Letter of Arrangement for the transfer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)'s training aircraft TC-90s. Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to continue enhancing security and defense cooperation, including training the Philippine Navy pilots and enhancing the capacity of its infrastructure.