MANILA, Philippines — Like President Rodrigo Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos was also blocked from buying arms from the United States over human rights issues, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Monday.
During his taped public address, Duterte recalled how the government tried to acquire about 23,000 assault rifles for the Philippine National Police (PNP) but was halted by the US Congress due to human rights issues.
“You know, that was put on hold by [US] Congress because they said that I was a human rights violator and [they rifles] will be used against my citizens,” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino.
Enrile laughed and …
Keep on reading: Enrile to Duterte: Marcos also blocked from buying arms from US over rights issues