AFP gets new weapons from US

MANILA, Philippines - The United States military yesterday gave 625 new firearms to the Philippine Marines to help in the ongoing operations against the Maute group in Marawi City.

Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat received the new counterterrorism weapons and equipment from US embassy military representatives during simple ceremonies at the Marine headquarters in Taguig City.

Officials from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) turned over the weapons and equipment delivered recently under the US government’s Counterterrorism Train and Equip Program.

Among the weapons and equipment turned over to the Marines were 300 M4 carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, four M134D Gatling-style machine guns and 100 M203 grenade launchers delivered last month at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.  

JUSMAG delivered 25 new Combat Rubber Raiding Craft with outboard motors to the Marine headquarters last week.   

The Marines’ Inshore Boat Battalion and Marine Special Operations Group have utilized previous US Counterterrorism Train and Equip gear in ongoing combat operations in Mindanao.

The new weapons are expected to enhance the Marines’ counterterrorism capabilities and help protect troops engaged in military operations in Mindanao.

Since 2007, representatives from JUSMAG have delivered and programmed P7.3 billion in military equipment to the Philippine Marine Corps and other branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to enhance counterterrorism capabilities. 

In addition, the AFP has procured small-arms weapons, watercraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and personal protective equipment as part of the US government’s Foreign Military Sales system and other programs. 

Over the last five years, the US embassy said its government has allocated P15 billion in grant funding to provide the AFP with equipment, including corresponding upgrades and training.  

The equipment transfers and continued bilateral training and exercises demonstrate the commitment of the United States to working with the Philippines towards building safer communities and eradicating global terror networks.

Salamat said the new guns will be given to ground troops and the priority is to use the same in Marawi City where soldiers are still trying to retake the locality from the Maute group.

Two US senators filed a bill last month seeking to restrict the export of arms from the US to the Philippine National Police amid growing international concern over President Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs.

Sens. Ben Cardin and Marco Rubio cited the alarming number of deaths under Duterte’s drug war in filing the bill, as they instead called for a public health approach to the problem.

But in the same bill, Cardin and Rubio reiterated US commitment for defense and counterterrorism efforts in the Philippines, as well as an enhanced ability to provide humanitarian assistance to the disaster-prone country.