MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday lost his composure when he found out that the government was having problems in obtaining equipment for soldiers.
While delivering his speech before members of the Philippine Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade in Malungon, Sarangani, the chief executive suddenly called his special assistant Christopher “Bong” Go and asked him about the status of the procurement of military equipment worth half a billion pesos, which should have been ready by July.
“Umiinit ang ulo ko. Unsay sulti nila [It makes me short-tempered. What did they say]? Finish it in the month of July…Minsan hindi ako nagtataka kung bakit nagngingitngit na rin tayong lahat kasi marami kayong walang gamit. Binili ko lahat ‘yan sa isang upuan, about P500 million, generator, all life-saving equipment,” he said.
[Sometimes I’m no longer surprised why we all get very angry because many of you don’t have equipment. I bought everything in one sitting worth about P500 million, such as a generator unit, all-life saving equipment.]
Duterte likewise told soldiers during his speech that the government would no longer acquire secondhand military supplies and aircraft, including those from the U.S.
“Wala nang secondhand na helicopter, bago, even from America. Hand-me-down, ayoko ng secondhand kasi hindi maganda,” he said.
Also, during the event, Duterte thanked those who supported his martial law declaration in Mindanao to address the crisis in Marawi, including senators Manny Pacquiao, Panfilo Lacson, and Gregorio Honasan, and local officials.
“Senator Pacquiao, LGU supported me. Mga senador nasa Maynila, maybe some, Lacson and Honasan,” the President said.
WATCH NEWS5’S VIDEO REPORT:
