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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 8) — The Philippines received $1 million (about ₱48.5 million) in new weapons and munitions from the United States, the US Embassy said Thursday.
It confirmed in a news release the delivery on July 4 of 14 M2A1 .50 caliber heavy machine guns, seven M240B machine guns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The weapons were funded by a US grant assistance.
Officials from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group - Philippines (JUSMAG-P) made the delivery, which aims to "enhance the AFP's counterterrorism capabilities and readiness," added the embassy.
Col. Stephen Ma, JUSMAG-P chief and senior defense official to the Philippines, welcomed the delivery, which coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Manila and Washington.