Teodoro bucks privatization of government arsenal

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday opposed the proposed privatization of the government-owned ammunition factory in Bataan, saying it would undermine national security.

Teodoro said the facility at Camp General Antonio Luna in Limay, Bataan should be modernized to meet the military demand for ammunition.

The ammunition plant needs at least P1 billion to upgrade its production line and meet the annual demand of 10 million rounds of standard ammunition for rifles and pistols.

In an interview during the 68th anniversary of the Department of National Defense at Camp Aguinaldo, Teodoro said that the factory produces 15 million rounds of ammunition a year.

“I don’t think it should be privatized for security and strategic reasons,” he said.

Teodoro said he ordered defense officials to conduct a project study on the modernization of the military factory to upgrade the plant’s equipment.

The factory produces ammunition for 5.56 mm M193, cal.30 M1, Carbine; cal.30 M2; 7.62 mm M80; cal.45 M 1911; cal.38 Special; and 9 mm Parabellum ammunition.

All other ammunition for firearms of higher caliber, as well as for artillery, are imported.

He said that a modernized ammunition plant can manufacture its own SS 109 type of M16 ammunition that is being used by the US military for its standard assault rifles.

The ammo plant should be modified to comply with the provisions of Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Act.

“They need to modify the arsenal because the price of metal fluctuates daily, so it has to be compliant with RA 9184,” Teodoro said.