MANILA -- The United States military has provided new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Philippine Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG) and Inshore Boat Battalion valued at about PHP178 million, the US embassy in Manila announced Wednesday.
The 525 sets of ballistic vests, lightweight ballistic plates, tactical ballistic helmets, and accessories were given through Washington's Counterterrorism Train and Equip Program in Taguig City last May 31.
The equipment will provide increased protection for personnel conducting counterterrorism operations, as well as operations against transnational threats, specifically in the southern Philippines.
According to the embassy, these force protection equipment delivery will fill critical equipment gaps for Marine Operators within MARSOG, a key Counterterrorism and Special Operations unit within the Philippine Marine Corps.
Washington, as Manila's long-standing ally, stressed commitment to provide support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through both grant assistance and the expedited sale of arms and munitions to assist both the long-term AFP modernization goals and urgent counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief requirements. (US Embassy PR)
