CLARK, Pampanga—Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana announced the continuing support and assistance of partner countries Australia, China and United States to the Philippines in the fight against terrorism.
In a news conference after the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting at the Asean Convention Center here, Lorenzana acknowledged the substantial assistance to the Philippine government by the three countries in the fight against terrorists in Marawi City and their willingness to extend their efforts to help the Philippines combat the terror threats.
Lorenzana said that he personally thanked United States Defense Secretary Jim Mattis during their bilateral talks about his government’s assistance during the siege in Marawi City.
“I thanked him for the assistance that the US has given us in the fight against terrorism in Marawi City, which, I think, is substantial assistance to us, like the use of their assets, such as surveillance planes and drones. They also provided us some information about terrorism,” he said.
The defense chief said he is also looking forward to the US plan to come up with programs that could help fight terrorism.
Lorenzana, likewise, cited the Chinese government’s assistance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City. This includes the 35 units of heavy equipment, such as of bulldozers, loaders and dump trucks received by the Department of Public Works and Highways. In June the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received 3,000 M16s, including ammunition, 90 sniper rifles and M14s. An additional 3,000 M16s were recently handed over by the Chinese government, he added.
The defense secretary also said the Chinese government would provide four fast boats to the AFP to be used in the Sulu Sea.
Meanwhile, Australia Defense Minister Marise Payne announced that their defense force would provide mobile-training teams for the urban-warfare counterterrorism in the country.
Image credits: PNA photo by Joey O. Razon