114 APCs to see action vs rebels

The military will be deploying 114 recently acquired armored personnel carriers (APCs) from the United States to Mindanao to boost its internal security operations in the regions.

The 114 M113 A2 APCs were formally turned over to the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) of the Philippine Army in Camp O’Donnell, Capas in Tarlac Thursday.

MID commander Maj. Gen. Edgar Gonzales cited mobility, survivability and lethality as the vehicles’ three important features which will help in the internal security against rebels and extremists in Mindanao.

“We need this in our internal security operations and at the same time territorial defense operations. While we are reconfiguring these vehicles, we can still use them in internal security operations,” the military official said.

The 114 M113 APCs were given by the United States to the Philippine military as excess defense articles late last year under the Excess Defense Article program.

Under the program, the United States transfers excess military equipment to qualified allied countries without cost.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines  saw the acquisition as beneficial for the Mechanized Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. The AFP shouldered the transportation costs of the vehicles.