The military has new weapons that arrived last week
NO COUP: A convoy of military trucks seen on
It was a case of bad timing.
On the same week
that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that disgruntled retired generals
were plotting to destabilize the Aquino administration, convoys of military trucks and tanks were sighted on Metro
Manila's roads.
The military
immediately apologized last week for the alarm caused by the "logistical
movements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
What the
spokespersons couldn't reveal back then – that would have killed the coup
rumors – was what the trucks were carrying: the brand new M4 Caliber 5.56mm for
the Philippine Army.
"Alam
ninyo 'yung nakita ninyo [military convoy] noong isang araw, 'yun yung
mga naghahakot (You know, the military convoy you saw, those were the
vehicles that loaded the rifles)," said Army spokesperson
Lieutenant Colonel Noel Detoyato, laughing at the trouble that the logistical
movement caused the military.
BRAND NEW: M4 rifles manufactured by US-based gun manufacturer Remington will replace the Army's M16 rifles. Photo from the Philippine Army
The first batch of 27,200 M4 rifles arrived last week. The military didn't want to announce what they were transporting for security reasons. Armored trucks accompanied the convoys.
The M4 rifles
from US-based gun manufacturer Remington will replace the Army's M-16 rifles.
"Napakaganda. Ma-inspire ka. Makatayong balahibo ba (It's really
nice. It's inspiring. I got goosebumps)," said an excited Detoyato.
The supposed coup
plots have since been debunked by retired generals linked to the rumors.
President Benigno
Aquino III was supposed to have led the July 14 ceremonial distribution of the
first M4 rifles received by the AFP. This was cancelled, apparently to give way
to his televised speech on the Disbursement Acceleration Program.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/65258-coup-military-tanks-new-weapons
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