South Korean dealer to set up firearms production in PH

President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE

A South Korean arms dealer apparently made a mark on President Rodrigo Duterte that it was the first booth he visited at the 3rd Asian Defense, Security and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS) 2018 in Pasay City on Wednesday night.

S & T Motiv Co., Ltd took part in the biennial defense expo held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, alongside its new partner in the Philippines, the United Defense Manufacturing Corp. (UDMC).

According to S & T Motiv president and chief executive officer Kijoon Yu, he first met Mr. Duterte in June when the President visited South Korea and the firearms manufacturer, and the Korean Ministry of National Defense conducted a presentation of the company and its products.

Yu told the Inquirer on Thursday that he was even able to take a selfie with Duterte.  He noted that when the President walked to their booth, they were the only company with whom he took pictures with.

Gene Cariño, UDMC chairman and CEO, said that when Yu discussed the joint venture agreement between S&T Motiv and UDMC which was signed on Tuesday, “He was very happy. He was very pleased with the business model of producing firearms here (in the Philippines). He said that’s what he wants.”

Yu said the joint venture agreement involves a comprehensive cooperation between the two companies for firearms manufacturing and supply, and possible expansion into the overseas markets.

“Based on the joint venture agreement we signed we will continue to participate in the commercial biddings to satisfy the continued demand of the Philippines for arms… and expand in the future in terms of research and development on existing platforms and the development of new weapons,” he explained.

He said that while there are plans to set up a manufacturing facility in the country, the UDMC facilities will have to do in the meantime.

The plans, Yu pointed out, depend on how much the joint venture is able to expand.

“I’m not sure if UDMC’s existing facilities are wide enough to accommodate our future goals so we will gradually expand, think of some other locations as well,” he said, adding that S&T Motiv is still in discussions with the government on a possible firearms manufacturing facility at the government arsenal in Bataan.

He said that S&T Motiv and UDMC previously supplied 7,000 K3 light machine guns and has taken part in the bidding process for a small quantity of K2C1 rifles.

Yu explained about doing business in the Philippines, “Demand is here so that we can enjoy our business here in the Philippines. We do have a really good relationship in the government level and civil level as well. We have very good technological basis and infrastructure. Demand is there and there’s a good infrastructure and business structure around it so we can take advantage of those environment here in the Philippines.”

For his part, Cariño said UDMC, through the joint venture, can produce the firearms locally particularly in Parañaque City, as part of its commitment to supply quality and price-competitive products.

ADAS 2018 will conclude on Friday and features government agencies and defense and security manufacturers from Israel, the United States, Ukraine, Russia, the Czech Republic, France, Singapore, Indonesia, and China, showcasing their products and services. /kga