PH receives military equipment from Russia

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte inspects the AK-74M Kalashnikov Rifles donated by the Russian Federation during the ceremonial turnover at Pier 15 in Port Area, Manila on October 25, 2017. Also in the photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Russian Federation Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Philippines has received rifles and other military equipment donation as these were turned over by Russia on Wednesday.

Russia’s military products donation includes 20 trucks, 5,000 units of AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifle, one million units of 1943-type cartridges with steel core bullets, and 5,000 units of steel helmets.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday witnessed the turnover during his tour of the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Pantaleev docked at Pier 15, Port of Manila.

During his tour, Duterte checked the shipboard main alley, air defense platform, main artillery unit, and the wardroom. The Russians also exhibited the ship’s firearms and conducted an ordnance demonstration.

Defense Secreatary Delfin Lorenzana and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu were also at the Port of Manila to witness the transfer of equipment.

The certificate of donation was signed by Philippines’ Department of National Defense Undersecretary Raymundo Elefante and Major General Aleksandr Kshimovksiy of the main department for international military cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Lorenzana and Shoiigu on Tuesday signed an agreement in Clark, Pampanga for military and technical cooperation, according to Tass Russian News Agency.

Earlier this month, China also donated 3,000 units of assault rifles to the Philippines which would be used by the Philippine National Police, according to Lorenzana.

Duterte embarked on an official visit to Russia in May which he said was productive despite being cut short.

He also visited the Russian guided missile cruiser Varyag in April and the Russian large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs in January.