President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, November 10, held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Vietnam.
“I would like to convey to you the gratitude of the Filipino people for your timely assistance, especially the trucks and the arms that you sent,” President Duterte said.
Duterte said the arms that came from Russia were very accurate and was able to help neutralize snipers of the ISIS-inspired Maute group.
“Your timely assistance to my country helped us replenish the old arms and the spent bores that were fired repeatedly and we have a new stock,” he said.
“In a way, you helped us turn the tide and to shorten the war there because of your assistance. So again, I thank you very much, the Russian people, and you, Mr. President. We will remember you for all time,” the President added.
President Duterte also expressed his enthusiasm to see the Russian leader, noting that his trip to Moscow last May was cut short because of the siege in Marawi.
President Duterte also told the Russian leader that he is planning to build a strong Armed Forces and a strong police during his term. PND