Troops told to maintain, clean weapons even during operations

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 16): Troops told to maintain, clean weapons even during operations

The Philippine Army (PA) has reminded its troops to always clean and maintain their weapons and equipment properly, even during military operations.

The Army issued the reminder after it was found out that accumulated dirt in its R4A3 carbine rifles prevented the weapon from firing efficiently during the Aug. 29 encounter with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu, causing 15 deaths and 10 wounded among government troops.

“We have already directed our operating troops to follow strictly the maintenance procedures of all our firearms and ammunition,” Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao explained.

He noted that even quality equipment need cleaning and maintenance to function properly.

"Most of the rifles inspected by our firearms experts were full of dirt. After applying proper maintenance procedures, all rifles functioned well except for one M-14 rifle that has a destroyed barrel part,” Hao said.

He said the Army has sent a team of rifle experts to check the veracity of the alleged stoppages of the R4A3 carbine rifles, a K-3 squad automatic weapon, and an M-14 rifle during the encounter of the 35th Infantry Battalion with the bandits.

The team collected eight R4A3s, the K-3 squad automatic rifle and an M-14 rifle which allegedly malfunctioned, as reported by the unit using them during the encounter.

Initial tests made by the team showed that indeed, rifles that were not cleaned did not function when used.

However, after proper maintenance procedures were applied, all rifles functioned well.

“Our conclusion is that the problem is not about the rifles. The prevailing weather and sustained ongoing operations against the Abu Sayyaf partly affected the proper maintenance and care of the soldiers’ rifles,” Hao said.

There was also an alleged problem with old ammunition used in R4A3 rifles.

When presented to the firearms experts, the old ammunition all fired when used in clean rifles.

To remove the apprehension of the soldiers on the ground about the old bullets despite the test results, the Army decided to issue the troops new ammunition.

The Army also reminded its troops to return firearms with broken parts so they could be replaced.

 

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=923590