Army receives assault rifles, mortars from US

By Francis Wakefield

The Philippine Army (PA) has received 80 assault rifles and 40 mortars from the United States government Sunday.

Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala said the assault rifles were a grant from the U.S. government to the Philippine Army under the Military Assistance Program. The mortars were purchased by the Army from the US under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Zagala said the assault rifles are the primary direct fire weapons used by troops against enemies of the state while mortars support the infantry.

“The Philippine Army expresses its gratitude to the U.S. government in granting the assault rifles that will greatly improve the fighting skills of our frontline troops,” Zagala said.

“Further, the purchase of mortars through the Army modernization fund upgrades our weapons systems and capabilities for the Philippine Army to better perform its mission to secure the land,” he added.