BUTUAN CITY -- The officials from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group - Philippines (JUSMAG-P) delivered P183 million ($3.8 million) worth of weapons and equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Clark Air Base on Monday, June 21.

The delivery, funded by both Philippine national funds and United States (U.S.) grant assistance, included nine M3P .50 caliber heavy machine guns, 10 mortar tubes, and other equipment.  It is intended to enhance the AFP’s counterterrorism and maritime security capabilities.  

“The United States will continue to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capacity building efforts through joint training and key military equipment transfers. Our mutual security collaboration remains a cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific," said JUSMAG-Philippines Chief and Senior Defense Official to the Philippines Col. Stephen Ma.  

The Philippines is the largest recipient of U.S. military assistance in the Indo-Pacific.  Since 2015, the U.S. has provided more than P48.6 billion ($1 billion) in security assistance to the Philippines.  

This year, the United States and the Philippines are commemorating 70 years since the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty, and this delivery continues the United States’ longstanding commitment to our Filipino allies. (U.S Embassy in the Philippines/PIA-Caraga)