Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-Shin meets reporters in Davao City after he had a meeting with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday afternoon, June 2. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY – Korean ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-Shin announced on Thursday, June 2 that the Korean government will grant USD6.6 million-worth of equipment and experts to upgrade the capacity of the Philippine National Police in fighting crime.
Kim said the Korean government will fully support and cooperate with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s policy on resolving drugs and criminality.
“We are planning to provide police equipment including patrol cars and motorbikes and other equipment,” Kim said.
He said they are now closely coordinating with PNP authorities.
“Now we agreed already, we’ll start soon, starting from this year,” he said.
For defense, Kim said they will also be providing the country with 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,” Shin said.
The two new fighter jets were part of the 12 FA-50 Golden Eagle jet fighters acquired from Korean Aerospace Inc. The jets cost for P18.9 billion pesos ($402 million).
One of Duterte’s policies is to improve the condition to entice foreign investors. Kim said they see that improving the peace and order will entice more Korean businessmen to invest in the Philippines.
Meeting with Duterte
Kim met with Duterte inside the guest house of the Department of Public Works and Highways Depot compound in Panacan here on Thursday.
He said that they congratulated Duterte on his victory during the recent presidential elections and that they talked about the continuing cooperation between the two countries.
The Korean ambassador said that they will maintain and strengthen the cooperation between the two countries.
Areas of cooperation
Kim said the areas of cooperation includes infrastructure, transportation, agriculture and rural development.
Meanwhile, Kim said they are waiting for Duterte’s “more detailed” foreign policies but maintained that they will “support the new government’s policy.”
“I don’t think there’s a big change, so far, so we are waiting for the detailed policy directions,” he said. (davaotoday.com)
