US told: 'Who are you to warn us on submarines?'

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte last night rebuked a top US official for saying the Philippines’ plan to acquire big-ticket military systems and weapons from Russia is unhealthy for the alliance with the United States.

The Russian government also called out US Assistant Secretary of defense and Pacific security affairs Randall Schriver for his “outrageous” warning.

“You state your case why you are against my country buying Russian submarines… give me the reason why and make it public. You want us to remain backward?” Duterte remarked.

“We are the only ones who have none, yet you don’t give us any (submarine),” Duterte, addressing the US, said at the gathering of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago regional party in Davao City.

The President mentioned the issue as he was explaining why there is so much noise about human rights in connection with his drug war, saying “the US do not like me.”

Duterte remarked Schriver statement reflects the way the US treats a defense ally like the Philippines.

“Is that how you treat an ally and you want us to stay with for all time?” Duterte said. “What is the problem on acquiring submarines? Who are you to warn us?”

Duterte added the US has not warned other countries in Asia from modernizing their military assets. He even undermined the capability of US submarines. 

He was quick to say that he is not an enemy but just thinking of the welfare of Filipino troops.

“I am not your enemy, I am protecting my soldiers and police,” he said. “What’s the problem is using submarines when we cannot use it against you. Neither we are using it against China or anybody else because we are under-armed.”

Duterte claimed the US has not provided enough military assets to the Philippines—adding that the almost 50 years of alliance between the two countries bore no significant upgrade for the Philippine military.

While he maintains high regard for US President Donald Trump, Duterte expressed displeasure over the US’ call for the DND to “think very carefully” about the procurement because it would not help the alliance. 

In a statement issued through its embassy in Manila, the Russian government said Schriver – whom it said was not privy to the defense cooperation between the Philippines and Russia – should refrain from making such comments.

Speaking at a defense and security roundtable at the US embassy on Thursday, Schriver warned the Department of National Defense (DND) against its plan to purchase submarines and some military equipment from Russia, saying this would be unhealthy for the US-Philippines alliance.

“We can not recall when Mr. Randall Schriver was hired as advisor to the government of the Philippines. Nevertheless the defense cooperation between Russia and the Philippines is a matter of bilateral relations and does not involve any third country in any way,” the Russian government said.

The defense cooperation between the Philippines and Russia, it said, is in “full compliance with all existing international arms control regimes.”

“We believe it meets strategic interests of the Philippine nation and will definitely contribute to the regional peace and stability,” it said.

DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the Philippine government is acquiring military equipment from any country where it will be beneficial and advantageous to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“While our acquisition of submarines (from Russia) for the Philippines is still under study and nothing is final at this point, we emphasize that the defense department will procure equipment that is most advantageous for the AFP through the AFP Modernization Program,” Andolong said.

He also pointed out the purchase will be pushed through to any country as long as the procurement follows the proper and legal procedure, meeting the requirements of its end users.

In the case of submarine project for the Navy, Andolong said the DND is not limiting its choices and will consider any and all offers.

Aside from Russia, the DND is also eyeing France and South Korea as possible sources of its first ever submarine acquisition for the Navy.

Andolong, however, assured Schriver that the DND will honor all its alliances and international partnerships through the conduct of international defense and security engagements.

The Philippines is by far the largest recipient of US military assistance in the region through a variety of programs and initiatives, as compared to those provided by Russia and China, all in support of  the AFP’s modernization goals.

US embassy spokesman Moli Koscina said that in the past few years, the US has delivered millions of dollars of planes, ships, armored vehicles and small arms to the Philippines, while also training Filipino troops.

“From Jan. 1, 2017 to the present, US grants funded the delivery of military equipment worth over P5 billion ($95 million) to the AFP,” Koscina said. –Helen Flores, Jaime Laude