Philippines welcomes China’s donation of patrol boats, weapons

MANILA, July 30 (Xinhua) – The Philippines has welcomed China’s donation of four patrol boats and 30 units of 40-mm rocket-propelled grenade launchers to the Philippines Navy.

Navy spokesman Cmdr. Jonathan Zata said on Jul.29 that the boats and the weapons were delivered last week.

“The Philippine Navy through the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters has accepted the donation from (China) four units of patrol boats (and) 30 units of rocket propelled grenade launcher with corresponding ammunition,” Zata said.

“These are brand new equipment ... The equipment provided are being assessed as to how this can be integrated within the organization and supported in the long term in terms of logistics,” he added.

Already, the spokesman said the Navy is training personnel on how to operate and maintain the small boats.

On Jul. 27, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said that China has delivered the third shipment of weapons to fight terrorism and violent extremism in the Philippines.

“The third batch of such assistance was just turned over last week to the Philippine side in the purpose of sustaining our support to the Philippines to neutralize terrorism and violent extremism,” Zhao said in a speech at the reception for the 91st founding anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army of China.