Photo from the US Embassy in Manila
The United States has handed over new personnel protective gear worth P178 million to the Philippine Marine Special Operations Group (Marsog) and Inshore Boat Battalion in support to the military’s counterterrorism efforts.
“The 525 sets of ballistic vests, lightweight ballistic plates, tactical ballistic helmets, and accessories provided through the Counterterrorism Train and Equip Program are valued at PhP 178 million ($3.4 million),” the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Wednesday.
The turnover of the counter-terror gear was held at Fort Bonifacio last May 31.
The equipment from the country’s long-time ally is seen “to provide increased protection for personnel conducting counterterrorism operations, as well as operations against transnational threats, specifically in the southern Philippines,” according to the US Embassy in Manila.
It is also expected “to fill critical equipment gaps” for Marsog, a counter-terrorism and special operations unit of the Philippine Marine Corps, the US Embassy in Manila added. /kga