New weapons, gears with AFP's P87-B modernization

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Nov 9): New weapons, gears with AFP's P87-B modernization

WITH the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) already in place, expect soldiers to carry around new assault rifles and gears soon.
M16 OUT, M4 rifle in.

The recent upgrading of the military’s weapons and war materiel started during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who approved the allocation of some P30 billion for the AFP.

Under the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, the budget for the modernization is now pegged at P87 billion, said Major General Oscar Lactao,
commanding general of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 4th Infantry Division (4ID).

Lactao said of the total amount, P10 billion will go to the PA and it is spent for the purchase of about 54,000 pieces of M4 rifles, replacing the M16, to be issued to all the Filipino soldiers, and other armaments and supplies.

Manufactured in 1956, the M16 had become the firearm of choice by the United States military starting in the Vietnam War in the 1960s up until recently.

He said the M4, produced in 1994, is shorter and therefore easier for soldiers to move around, but has longer range at about 400 meters. The M16 can only hit a target of about 150 meters.

The military has also acquired K3 machine guns, armor vests, tanks, mortars, artillery, additional radio with encryption system and a handful of jetfighters. Most of these purchases come from South Korea. The jetfighters alone cost P18 billion.

He said the modernization of the country’s armed forces took some time before it can be realized since it has to undergo a long process.

“Hindi ganun kabilis, it’s not like buying from a sari-sari store,” Lactao said, referring to the procurement of weapons and supplies.

He said the minimum period of purchasing is two years, which, according to him, is not really long. “Yung mga iba aabot pa nga ng seven years.”

With these upgrading, Lactao said the AFP has intensified its capability to fight groups that pose a threat to the national security, especially the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Kaya naman natin ang NPA (We can handle the NPA). Your armed forces can still fight the NPA,” he said.

NPA camp overran

Meanwhile, the 4ID’s 401st Infantry Brigade has reported an NPA regional headquarters in Sitio Hebron, Barangay Tubigon, Sibagat own, Agusan del Sur was overran by soldiers recently.

In a statement e-mailed to this paper Sunday, Captain Jasper Gacayan, 401IB public affairs officer, said a platoon of the 9th Special Forces Company of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion caught the members of the NPA’s Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) under the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command by surprise during an attack.

Gacayan said the Maoist insurgents were in the middle of a ceremony honoring their dead comrades when the soldiers swooped down on their encampment. The military and the NPA engaged in exchange of fire for about 30 minutes.

Situated at the peak of Makalo mountain range, the NPA camp has an estimated land area of about 15,000 square meters with 81 bunkers made out of tent and wooden beds, along with five multipurpose halls that serve as their kitchen and lecture room which can accommodate 30 people, he said.

“Around 80 [NPAs] occupying the camp fled in different direction during the attack. They also dragged their killed and wounded comrades during their escape,” Gacayan said.

Recovered by government troops from the site were an M16 rifle with M203 grenade launcher, an improvised grenade launcher, one portable generator set, improvised explosive devices, two .45 caliber pistols, five handheld radios, documents and other materials.

“The Communist NPA in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur are now gradually losing the people’s support; they are always in a defensive mode. We will sustain our momentum to wipe them out,” Colonel Gregory Cayetano, 401IB brigade commander, said.

“However we will still give them a chance if they’ll opt to go back into the fold of law,” Cayetano added.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2014/11/09/new-weapons-gears-afps-p87-b-modernization-375595