Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has revealed that he has decided to accept an arms deal from China under concessional terms.

In the latest sign that the two countries are cozying up to each other, Duterte said that he would ask his defense secretary to send top military officials to China to receive the firearms.

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In a speech before his troops, Duterte also revealed that cache of arms would be paid for over a period of 25 years.

He did not reveal further details on the deal between the neighbors who have been hostile to each other in previous years.

"China is pressing me on the firearms, which are already there. I will accept them. They are rushing it," Duterte said. "We don't need to ask from others because they (China) are willing to give it."

The Philippine's defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has also revealed that the military is exploring the possibility of purchasing sniper rifles from Russia.

"If their sniper rifles are superior as they claim, we may decide to acquire them," the Lorenzana said, adding that his country's army and marines will decide how many sniper rifles they need after conducting the tests.

The Defense Secretary said that the Philippine army and marines would undertake a study before a decision is made on whether to go ahead with the deal.

Lorenzana paid a visit to Moscow last week to meet the Russian defense officials. It was the first-ever visit by a Philippine Defense Secretary to Russia since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1976.

The Philippines had depended on the United States for weapons, ships, and aircraft for many years.

 The relationship between the two nations was, however, strained after US President Barack Obama criticized Duterte's deadly war on drugs.

Tagschina, South China Sea, Rodrigo Duterte