Cherry Mobile has told us that they’ve bought a controlling stake in Chinese ODM Jiayu, the same ODM they’ve used for their Flare X series of devices. This comes from Lonson Alejandrino, Product Manager for the local brand. This makes Cherry Mobile the only Filipino brand that we know of that has the manufacturing capability to make their own devices.

The brand actually made the purchase in the middle of last year, but opted to keep the news private until now. Jiayu will run as its own business for now, though Cherry Mobile is looking to tap the same markets that Jiayu currently plays in, which includes key European countries.

With this revalation, Cherry Mobile also said that they are looking into marketing and selling a pinoy-designed smartphone, with Jiayu taking care of the manufacturing end.