PH Army gets mortars, assault rifles from US

This is aside from the 80 assault rifles provided by the US government through the same assistance program. (Photo: Philippine Army/Facebook)

MANILA — The 44 mortars acquired by the Philippine Army (PA) through the US military assistance program was formally delivered at the PA Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio Sunday.

This was bared by Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala in a statement Monday.

This is aside from the 80 assault rifles provided by the US government through the same assistance program.

Assault rifles are the primary direct fire weapons used by infantry units participating in armed battles against the enemy, while mortars are indirect fire weapons mainly used to support the infantry.

“The PA expresses its gratitude to the US government in granting the assault rifles that will greatly improve the fighting skills of our frontline troops,” Zagala said. (With reports from Darwin C. Pesco, OJT/PNA)