Duterte cancels rifle sale blocked by US over rights concerns

MANILA, Philippines -- President Rodrigo Duterte has announced the cancellation of a shipment of firearms from the United States that the US State Department earlier blocked over human rights concerns. 

"I would like to announce now that the 26,000 M16s that was maybe ordered, or were ordered already, I am ordering its cancellation sa police," Duterte said in a speech at the signing of an executive order reorganizing the Bangsamoro Tradition on Monda.

The order was actually for M4 assault rifles, a variant of the standard issue firearms for the US military since the Vietnam War.

The US State Department had earlier halted the sale of about 26,000 rifles to the Philippines when US Sen. Ben Cardin said that he will oppose it due to concerns over human right violations attributed to the government's war on drugs.

READ: US stops arms sale to Philippines

“We will just have to look for another source that is cheaper and maybe as durable and as good as those made from the place we are ordering them. We will not insist on buying expensive arms,” he added.

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa earlier said, however, that he was disappointed that the sale might not push through.

"Malaki ang epekto kasi sayang. Nakakasa na ang bill. Supposed to be sa kanila tayo bibili nung mga M4 -equip natin sa public safety forces sa PNP," Dela Rosa said in a televised interview.

He also said that he was prepared to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs for help, but would need to ask permission from the president first.

"Marami namang iba pang source like China. But when it comes to reliability and dependability, hindi tayo masyado sigurado," Dela Rosa said.