Gov’t troops in Marawi to receive new weapons, equipment from US

Government troops fighting the Maute group in Marawi City are the priority recipients of new counterterrorism weapons and equipment turned over Monday by United States Embassy military representatives to Philippine military officials.

“We will give these to our troops, priority troops in Marawi,” Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat told reporters during the transfer ceremony at the Philippine Marine Corps  headquarters in Taguig.

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

The weapons and equipment include 300 M4 Carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, 4 M134D Gatling-style machine guns, and 100 M203 grenade launchers delivered May 18-22 to Clark Air Base. 

JUSMAG also delivered 25 new Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) with outboard motors May 30 to PMC Headquarters.

The equipment are expected to enhance the PMC’s counterterrorism capabilities, and help protect Philippine Marines actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines.

The PMC’s Inshore Boat Battalion and Marine Special Operations Group have already employed previous US Counterterrorism Train and Equip gear in the ongoing combat operations.

Since 2007, representatives from JUSMAG have delivered and programmed P7.3 billion of 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, water craft, 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 government has allocated P 15 billion of 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 work with the Philippines towards building safer communities and eradicating global terror networks.

Salamat said the equipment were part of the long standing cooperation with their US counterpart.

“We are just continuing our cooperation and engagement and this is also a product of long years of hard work. This agreement has been worked on since 2013 so its’ a product of a long cooperation even before my predecessor,” he said.

He added that they do not meddle with any political condition so their cooperation stand strong with the US or with their US counterpart.

“Regardless of the administration, this support continues on to the Philippines,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News