Philippine President wants 26,000 guns – calls U.S. “fools”

Philippine President wants 26,000 guns

Philippine President wants 26,000 guns to fight the drug war and is angry that the U.S. has refused to provide the weaponry.

Rodrigo Duterte has become well-known for his tough and often violent stance against drug dealers.

Shortly after winning the Presidential election in May, Duterte encouraged residents that owned guns to  “Shoot and Kill” drug dealers if necessary and even said he would award residents a medal if they killed a drug dealer that refused to be brought to a police station or threatened the resident.

Duterte, a former government prosecutor, has become well-known for his numerous, profantiy-laced rants. He has promised to end corruption. Since encouraging vigilante justice, more than 2,000 people have been killed.

Philippine President wants 26,000 guns – threatens buy guns from China and Russia

In his tirade against the U.S., he has referred to the U.S. as “monkeys” and “fools” and has now threatened to purchase weaponry for the country from China or Russia.

The U.S.is concerned about Duterte’s violent reign of terror but, since the Philippine President wants 26,000 guns and has threatened to obtain the rifles elsewhere, it is a delicate situation.  Although few will probably admit it no one wants the Phillipines to turn into a North Korea situation.

International situations like this can also influence who people vote for in the upcoming U.S. Presidential elections.  Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, for example, appeals to U.S. Citizens that want the United States to be viewed as a powerful nation who will not sit idly by and continue relations with countries that continually disrespect the U.S. whereas Secretary Clinton’s focus is on maintaining and possibly improving relationships between other countries and the United States.

For now, even though the Philippine President wants 26,000 guns, he will not receive them from the U.S.