SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City
May 19, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graced the Defense and Shooting Arm Show of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers (AFAD) of the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City.

The Defense and Sporting Arm Show is the biggest exhibition of its kind in the country. It is the longest running show that promotes security, self-defense, responsible gun ownership, and shooting as a sport. This is also the occasion where the manufacturers, dealers, and distributors in the firearms and ammunition industry gather to showcase their latest technology and offering.

The Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers (AFAD) of the Philippines, Inc. aims to consolidate firearms dealers into an integral forum, and to formulate and impose self-regulating policies for the industry.

In President Duterte’s keynote address, he emphasized the side of the government with regards to gun ownership, especially the gun businesses in the country. “So, we have to revise some of the rules here not to make it hard for you to make money but to protect first and foremost the Republic of the Philippines. But we can do business, but let us make sure that it does not fall into the hands of the enemies because it would then make it doubly hard for us…,” the President stressed.

He also took time to personally go around the stalls of the different gun dealers exhibiting various firearms, an exhibit that brings together gun enthusiasts all over the country.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, AFAD President Jethro Dionisio, Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, AFAD board directors and officers, Defense and Sporting Arm Show exhibitors, PNP officers, local government units (LGU) officials, and members of various shooting associations attended the event.

*  *  *