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**By APD Writer
Melo M. Acuna**
**MANILA, Oct. 5– **Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Eduardo M. Año expressed their sincere appreciation for the grants the Chinese government extended to the country.
During the Handover Ceremony at the AFP General Headquarters’ foyer at 9:30 A.M. today, Secretary Lorenzana said China’s continued support to the Philippines “signifies a new era in the countries’ goodwill relations.”
“This paves the path for a broader and stronger Sino-Philippine security cooperation in the future,” Secretary Lorenzana said.
He acknowledged the donation composed of various ammunition and military equipment amounting to 22 million Renminbi (P 168 million) which has been provided for in a memorandum of agreement between China, represented by Major General Ci Guowei, deputy chief, Office of the International Military Cooperation, and the Philippines, represented by Ambassador Jose Santiago Sta. Romana last August.
Secretary Lorenzana said the donations will help the Philippines address contemporary security concerns including territorial conflicts and maritime disputes and threats of transnational nature and extremism in the southern part of the country.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank China for its technical assistance in our anti-terrorism operations in Marawi City, which has been vital in winning our battle against extremists,” Lorenzana said in a prepared speech.
He later on expressed optimism China would help the Philippines in rebuilding the war-ravaged Marawi City.
“We also look forward to exploring with you the possibility of a much bolder cooperation in terms of joint training and intelligence sharing in the area of fighting terrorism,” Lorenzana concluded.
As far as AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año is concerned, he said “the need to have a continuous interaction and mutual support for each other has become more vital.”
General Año said the donation comes at the heels of the “hefty monetary support extended for our casualties and wounded personnel in the battlefield.”
“The timing of this delivery cannot be overemphasized as the AFP, in partnership and close coordination with the Philippine National Police, is now in the final push in our intensified focused military operations against the Maute Group,” he added.
The donation includes 3,000 units of Type CQ – A5b 5.56 mm assault rifles complete with three million rounds of ammunitions and 90 sets of various low-light scopes.
“More than the cost of what has been selflessly given to us, this act of support futher strengthens our partnership as nations and enhancing cooperation as armed forces,” General Año further said.
Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua said they are donating firearms to the Philippines because his country “has always been committed to friendly and cooperations relations with the Philippines.”
He added President Rodrigo Duterte’s successful visit to China last year provided the benchmark for the renewed friendship and cooperation.
He added some US$ 3 million worth of engineering equipment will soon be delivered for the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.
“The handover of the arms and ammunition is another demonstration of the commitment we have,” Ambassador Zhao added.
He added they are happy that with the guidance of President Duterte and President Xi Jinping, “they are vigorously promoting cooperation in almost areas and one of the highlights is the good relationship that we have resumed between our two militaries.”
He added the Philippines and China are fighting terrorism together and they need to work together to futher build cooperation and contribute to peace and stability in Asia.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
