PH makes better assault rifles

The US state department has halted the sale of 26,000 M4 assault rifles to the Philippines because of President Digong’s war on drugs.

We can buy assault rifles elsewhere; better still, we can make them ourselves.

Russia makes a better assault rifle, the AK-47.

The AK-47 is much better and of a higher caliber than the US M4, the newest version of the M16 “armalite.”

Even after being immersed in mud for days, the AK-47 does not jam, something the M4 is prone to when exposed to dirt.

If the government insists on acquiring M4 rifles, why we have a local company that makes better M4 rifles than those made in the United States.

The Philippine Navy’s Swag (Special Warfare Group) has tested and recommended M4 rifles made by the United Defense Manufacturing Corp. (UDMC), a local arms manufacturer.

Swag is the local counterpart of the US Navy Seal.

Swag said UDMC’s M4 rifles fire better and are easier to handle.

Ironically, Swag’s recommendation was not heeded by the previous administration because of a procurement law (Republic Act No. 9184) that mostly favors big companies or low-priced but poor quality items during public bidding.

The low regard the United States has for us was clearly evident when it stopped the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines because of alleged human rights violations committed by the Duterte administration.

The United States treats the Philippines like a dog which is given a pat on the head by the master for obeying his command and from whom food is withheld when it disobeys.

READ: Duterte on Ramos: He’s a graduate of West Point, I am just a local boy

This attitude harks back to the Commonwealth era when some American dining places had signs on their doors saying, “Dogs and Filipinos not allowed inside.”

This condescending attitude toward us should not be tolerated.

Most Filipinos still suffer from “colonial mentality” which considers Americans or Europeans as more superior.

We should start regarding Americans and Europeans as our equals or even inferior to us so that they will stop looking at us like their slaves.

Now we know where President Digong is coming from whenever he curses the United States and the European Union for interfering in our inter-

nal affairs.

Former President Fidel Ramos has advised President Digong to stop using foul

language.

Ramos, one of those who prodded Digong to run for president, means well.

Mano Digong won’t lose anything if he follows the advice of an elder statesman and one of his predecessors.

After all, we Filipinos have been taught to obey our elders.

READ: Duterte to FVR: Thank you but I must do it my way

The President has started cracking the whip on corrupt government officials and abusive policemen.

Mano Digong has ordered the relief of Arnel Alcaraz as deputy customs commissioner for enforcement (not intelligence as earlier reported) because of alleged rampant irregularities.

We can be sure that more heads will roll at the Bureau of Customs in the wake of Alcaraz’s sacking.

The President also ordered the investigation of Chief Insp. Sherwin Cuntapay, chief of the Makati Police intelligence unit, for alleged extortion.

This column was referring to Cuntapay on Saturday when it reported that a Makati police official extorted P750,000 from a Singaporean Chinese, the owner of a call center, whom he accused of being involved in drugs.