The government’s campaign against terrorism received a big boost as it received yesterday brand new weapons and equipment donated by the US government.
Marines currently engaged against the Maute Group remnants in Marawi City will be among the first recipients of the equipment.
Handed by US Joint Military Assistance Group to the Marines during a turnover ceremony in Taguig City were 300 M-4 carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, 25 combat rubber raiding craft, 100 M-203 rail mounted grenade launchers, 30 outboard motor, and four M-134D Gatling-style machine gun.
Marines commandant Major Gen. Emmanuel Salamat said it highlights the long-standing cooperation with the US.
“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 it’s a product of a long cooperation even before my predecessor,” Salamat said.
Since 2007, JUSMAG has delivered and programmed R7.3 billion in military equipment to the Marines and other branches of the Armed Forces to enhance counterterrorism capabilities. (Francis T. Wakefield)