MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received P183 million worth of weapons and equipment from its long-time treaty ally United States, that would boost the Philippine military’s counterterrorism and maritime security campaigns.
The Joint United States Military Assistance Group (Jusmag) delivered the materiel on Monday (June 21) at Clark Air Base, Pampanga province, the US Embassy in Manila said.
The materiel, funded by US grants and Philippine counterpart money, included nine M3P .50 caliber heavy machine guns, 10 mortar tubes and other equipment, the embassy said.
“The United States will continue to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capacity building efforts through joint training and key military equipment transfers,” the statement quoted Col. Stephen Ma, Jusmag-Philippines chief and senior defense official for the Philippines, as saying.
With P48 billion worth of ships, planes, small arms and other military equipment given since 2015, the Philippines is the largest recipient of US military assistance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Last week, the Philippines again suspended effectivity of a decision by President Rodrigo Duterte to end the two-decade old Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, amid continuing Chinese aggression in the region.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the suspension would be for six months as Duterte studies the agreement.
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