AFP chief to soldiers: Treat new rifle as your wife

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. has a word of advice to soldiers who received new M4 rifles.

“I told him he should treat the rifle like his wife or if he is still single, his girlfriend,” he said, referring to what he told  Pvt. Kevin Amarille, the soldier with the lowest rank at the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), during the ceremonial turnover of rifles here on Thursday.

“You should not give it away to enemies or let it rust,” he added.

Catapang said “seeing these assault M4 rifles in their hands gives them the confidence that we will successfully hit our goals and exact peace and ensuring continuous development in our country.”

About 400 rifles were distributed to the 79th IB and Light Reaction Regiment, which are involved in counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism.

The firearms are among the 50,629 M4 rifles acquired by the government from American firearms manufacturer Remington Outdoor Co. for P1.9 billion.

A total of 27,200 of these rifles were delivered last month while the rest will arrive in December.

Catapang said the Army will receive a total of 44,186 units while the Navy will get 6,443 units.

The heavy-barreled, fully automatic and wear-resistant rifles will replace the old, worn-out M16A2 assault rifles, officials said.   – With Manny Galvez