MANILA, July 25 — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started the distribution of the rifles earlier donated by the People’s Republic of China to the Philippine government.
This was confirmed by PNP head Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa who said that the weapons are now being distributed to units in the ground.
Distribution started shortly after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally transferred the guns to the police.
Dela Rosa said these weapons are urgently needed by police officers in the ground hence the quick distribution.
The donation consists of 3,000 assault rifles and 90 long-range rifles along with millions of bullets.
All of these items, except 100 rifles, are now in the PNP inventory.
The PNP chief said the remaining weapons will be examined by the AFP’s research and development branch to determine on whether these rifles are ideal for the use of Filipino military personnel.
These weapons and ammunition were formally handed over by the Chinese government to the Philippines last June 28 and worth around 50 million yuan.
The arms and ammunition was delivered at the Harrison Landing Zone, Clark Freeport, on board a two-cargo Ilyushin IL-76 military plane. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)
