U.S. military delivers P183M worth of weapons, equipment to AFP
BUTUAN CITY, June
22 -- The officials from the Joint United States Military
Assistance Group - Philippines (JUSMAG-P) delivered P183 million ($3.8 million)
worth of weapons and equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at
Clark Air Base on Monday, June 21.
The delivery,
funded by both Philippine national funds and United States (U.S.) grant
assistance, included nine M3P .50 caliber heavy machine guns, 10 mortar tubes,
and other equipment. It is intended to enhance the AFP’s
counterterrorism and maritime security capabilities.
“The United States
will continue to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capacity building
efforts through joint training and key military equipment transfers. Our
mutual security collaboration remains a cornerstone of a free and open
Indo-Pacific," said JUSMAG-Philippines Chief and Senior Defense
Official to the Philippines Col. Stephen Ma.
The Philippines is
the largest recipient of U.S. military assistance in the
Indo-Pacific. Since 2015, the U.S. has provided more than P48.6
billion ($1 billion) in security assistance to the Philippines.
This year, the
United States and the Philippines are commemorating 70 years since the signing
of the Mutual Defense Treaty, and this delivery continues the United States’
longstanding commitment to our Filipino allies. (U.S Embassy in the
Philippines/PIA-Caraga)
