Kim Jae-Shin, Korean ambassador to the Philippines has recently announced that the Korean government will be granting US$6.6 million worth of equipment to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to help aid in its quest to combat and curb crime.
This, of course, is in support to incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s who, during his presidential campaign sorties, said he will do his best to suppress criminality and drugs in the country during the first six months of his term if he wins the election.
“We are planning to provide police equipment including patrol cars and motorbikes and other equipment,” Kim said.
Kim has been coordinating closely with PNP officials and said “Now we agreed already, we’ll start soon, starting from this year.”
Along with the basic police equipment and vehicles, Korea will also be giving more defense equipment.
“Two of FA-50s arrived last year in the Philippines and we will continue to provide FA-50s and other defense equipment as well,” he declared.
The mentioned new fighter jets were part of the 12 FA-50 Golden Eagle jet fighters from the Korean Aerospace Inc which costs Php 18.9 billion ($402 million).
Kim had a meeting with Duterte in the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Depot in Panacan, Davao City. According to him, they congratulated the President-elect and pledged that the cooperation between the two countries will continue.
The ambassador likewise explained that they are waiting for the new president’s “more detailed” foreign policies but said that they are looking forward to “support the new government’s policy,” whatever the changes may be.
With President Duterte aggressively addressing the peace and order problem in the Philippines, more Korean businessmen will likely feel encouraged to invest in the country in the near future, according to Kim.
Thank you, Korea, for supporting our country’s new President!