The US Embassy in Manila would not say whether the US government has indeed stopped the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines over extrajudicial killings linked to the country's war on drugs.
US Embassy Press Attache and First Secretary Molly Koscina said US Federal rules prevent them from confirming the alleged stoppage of the planned sale of up to 27,000 assault rifles by the US to the Philippines.
"The Department is restricted under Federal regulations from commenting on the status of commercial export license approvals of proposed commercial defense sales," Koscina told GMA News Online.
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, in a media interview in Makati City on Thursday, cast doubts on the veracity of the report about the stoppage of the sale of rifles to the Philippines.
“As of now we do not have any official word from the State Department. I just read the report in the newspaper and I think that is not true,” Yasay said.
The issue of extrajudicial killings is being cited as the reason for the supposed stoppage of the planned sale of assault rifles by the US to the Philippine National Police.
According to a Reuters report, the US Department of State halted the sale after US Senator Ben Cardin allegedly opposed it due to his concerns about supposed human rights violations in the Philippines.
Cardin is the top Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Duterte on Wednesday dropped expletives anew as he commented on the supposed stoppage of the sale of rifles.
"‘Yan ang problema ko sa Amerika. May bilib ako sa kanila. Pero ang problema, nawalan ako ng respeto kaya binabastos ko sila. Kasi binabastos," Duterte said in a speech in Pangasinan.
"Tingnan mo mga unggoy. ‘Yung 26,000 na baril na bibilhin natin sa kanila, ayaw ng ipagbili. T— ina mo," he added.
Call for probe on killings
Amid Duterte's fresh tirade against the US, the embassy reiterated its call for a probe on killings.
"We encourage thorough and transparent investigations into all credible reports of extrajudicial killings and strongly urge the Philippines to ensure that its law enforcement efforts are consistent with its international human rights obligations," Koscina said.
"We continue to be deeply concerned by reports of extrajudicial killings by or at the behest of government authorities in the Philippines," she added.
The US statement showed that it will not relent from expressing its concern on the killings despite Duterte’s reaction to criticisms on his bloody war against narcotics that has left more than 3,000 dead.
The embassy said the US remains "strongly committed to the alliance that we have with the Philippines," adding that they are "working closely with Members of Congress to deliver security assistance to our allies and partners worldwide."
US President Barack Obama himself "attested to his commitment to that alliance when he traveled to the Philippines a year ago to meet with President Duterte’s predecessor and discuss strengthening and deepening that alliance," Koscina said.
Duterte has repeatedly lashed out at the US State Department and Obama for raising concern over the wave of killings since he assumed office in June 30.
Duterte called Obama a “son of a bitch” and told him to “go to hell.
While launching a series of tirades against its treaty ally, Duterte has threatened to sever ties with Washington, end joint military training with them and announced that he will align with China and Russia – Washington’s strategic rivals.
The Philippine leader also lambasted the United Nations and the European Union for raising concerns on human rights violations committed during police operations against drug suspects and the widespread vigilante killings across the country, which was encouraged by Duterte’s pronouncements that he wants to kill those involved in illegal drugs.
Oldest defense ally in Asia
The Philippines, a former colony of the US from 1898 to 1946, is the oldest security ally of the US in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines and the US became treaty allies with the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in 1951, five years after the US formally recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946.
- The US is the country that the Philippines has the highest number of treaties with: Mutual Defense Treaty (signed on August 30,1951)
- Agreement relating to Military Assistance (signed on June 26, 1953)
- PH-US Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (signed on November 21, 2002)
- PH-US Agreement on the Non-Surrender of Persons (signed on May 13, 2003)
EDCA allows the US to build structures, store weapons, and station troops, civilian personnel, vehicles, vessels, and aircraft in the Philippines for 10 years.
In exchange, the US is expected to help in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), provide humanitarian assistance during calamities, conduct joint military training with the Philippines, and assist in maritime security.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/587378/news/nation/us-embassy-no-comment-on-stalled-firearms-sale-to-phl
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