NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines—General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, distributed around 400 5.56mm M4 rifles to the men of the Light Reaction Regiment of the Special Operations Command and the 79th Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division who have undergone the Battalion of Excellence training at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija Thursday afternoon.
“One of the most important elements of a strong democratic country is a strong Armed Forces,” Catapang said during his speech.
“It is imperative that its soldiers are equipped with modern military hardware and provided with advanced military training in order to successfully perform its mission which is protecting the people and ensuring the sovereignty of the land.”
During the ceremonial turnover ceremony, Catapang gave the first rifle to Private Kevin Amarille from the 79th Infantry Battalion to show that the youngest soldier would use a younger rifle.
Catapang quipped that the planes of the Air Force are older than its pilots and the ships in the Navy are older than its captains.
He added that the soldiers should take care of their new weapons as if it is their better half.
“Treat it as if it’s your wife, if you’re not married, treat it is as your girlfriend, don’t let the enemy take it,” Catapang said.
Captain Mark Anthony Ruelos said the new M4 rifles would replace the early models of the M16 and M16A1 rifles, majority of which were as old as the Vietnam War.
“The rifles are already in poor condition and in need of refurbishing and better yet, replacement,” Ruelos said.
Catapang said that the distribution of the M4 rifles was to properly equip the ground forces, especially those in the frontline.
To be delivered in two batches, the first 100 M4 rifles arrived on July 5 and the next 27,200 units arrived on July 31.
December of 2014 is the expected arrival of the remaining 27,300 units.
As one of the recipients of the new rifles, the Light Reaction Regiment highly trained individuals drawn from the elite units of the Philippine Army, the Special Forces Regiment and the Scout Ranger Regiment, who specializes in counter-terrorism.
“Seeing these assault M4 rifles in their hands gives them the confidence that we need to successfully hit our target goals,” Catapang said. “Exact peace and ensure continuous development in our country.”
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