MANILA, Philippines - The delivery by the United States of new weapons and ammunitions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is proof of the enduring military alliance between the two countries, AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año said yesterday.
At Malacañang, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippines-US alliance “remains robust to this day,” citing the turnover last week by the US of two Cessna-208B surveillance and monitoring aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
“These aircraft would bolster the capability and readiness of our Air Force to help address terrorism and support our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations,” Abella added.
President Duterte has repeatedly castigated the US for the latter’s criticizing his deadly war on drugs. He earlier announced his “separation” from the US and pivot to China and Russia.
But Año said the Philippines is grateful for the US assistance. “We appreciate the assistance and grants provided by the US government. They remain our number one ally, especially in the fight against terror,” Año said.
Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, said the country’s alliance with the US has been tested many times and “will endure, especially during these occasions when we confront a common enemy – that of the threat of terrorism.”
On Friday, US embassy spokesperson Molly Koscina revealed that more intelligence and surveillance equipment would be turned over to the PAF in the coming months.
Koscina’s disclosure came a day after the US government, through US Ambassador Sung Kim, officially turned over the two Cessna planes to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the Villamor Air Base.
She also said the US government has begun delivery of 200 pieces of 500-pound bombs and almost 1,000 pieces of 2.75-inch rockets to PAF.
Also recently, the Marines received new weapons and equipment from the US government worth $30 million.
“I expect more grants from them since the entry of ISIS in our country is also a major concern of the US government,” Año said, referring to the Islamic State terror group by its initials. – With Christina Mendez, Roel Pareño