MANILA, Philippines — Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel on Monday reminded the Department of National Defense (DND) not to accept donated equipment from other countries that are incompatible with the existing weapons system in the nation’s military arsenal.
Pimentel said this after he received a report that the DND did not utilize certain equipment donated to them.
However, he did not delve into specifics.
“Kaya siguro kung may nagdodonate din sa atin ng mga alien weapon system naman, na hindi rin naman natin gagamitin kesa mapuna pa tayo na tumatanggap tayo ng donation pinapatulog lang daw natin, hindi daw natin ginagamit, ‘wag na nating tanggapin,” Pimentel said during the Senate plenary deliberations of DND’s proposed P233 billion budget.
(If someone is donating a weapon system that is alien to us and cannot be used, rather than get criticized for taking donations and not using them, let’s just not accept them in the first place.)
“May umabot na sa akin — I don’t know if weapon system yon or a communication system — na dinonate, tinanggap, tulog, tulog lang daw sa DND nandoon lang,” he further said.
(Reports have reached me — I don’t know if it’s a weapon system or a communication system that was donated and received by us, but it was only stocked in the DND.)
Pimentel said refusing these donated equipment is more responsible and dignified.
“I think it’s a better, more responsible and respectful action with dignity,” he said, noting that the DND could tell donors that “we do not need this, this does not fit in our system, maybe some other country would appreciate more your donation.”
“Ibig sabihin, gumraduate na din ang Pilipinas na sa tanggap lang nang tanggap ng lahat ng donation,” he further said.
(Meaning, the Philippines already graduated from just being a recepient of donations.)
To this, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said: “Well, DND is taking note of that observation.”
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