The United States recently donated $128 million worth of weapons to the Philippines, including sniper rifles, anti-IED (improvised explosive device) equipment and a C-130 military transport aircraft, Defense World reported Dec. 8.
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, Philippine Defense Secretary Lorenzana, and Foreign Minister Losing attended the donation ceremony held at a military base near Quezon City, the report said. Miller told Lorenzana that one more C-130 military transport aircraft will be delivered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Dec. 17.
In addition to the donated weapons and equipment, Christopher cited the U.S. government's 1.1 billion pesos ($23.4 million) worth of assistance to the recently typhoon-stricken Philippines, as well as the team's ongoing support to fight terrorism and maintain maritime security in the Philippines.
The U.S. has donated weapons to Philippine forces several times before, and the latest donation of equipment will enhance the ability of Philippine forces to strike with precision and respond to improvised explosive devices.
The report also mentioned that the Philippines recently received $18 million worth of weapons, including ScanEagle drones, as well as 100 Tau-2 anti-tank missiles, 12 anti-tank missile launch systems, 24 MK-82 aerial bombs and more. 82 aerial bombs. To date, the Philippines is the largest recipient of U.S. military assistance in the region. Since 2015, the United States has delivered more than 33 billion pesos ($650 million) worth of aircraft, ships, armored vehicles, small arms and other military equipment to the Philippines.
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