MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received yesterday P1.5 billion worth of heavy engineering equipment that the Department of National Defense (DND) procured from China in line with the military’s modernization program.

The equipment includes 16 units of 24-ton wheeled telescopic cranes, 20 medium bulldozers, 29 medium graders, 44 medium loaders, 22 medium backhoe loaders, 12 five-ton road rollers, 22 transit mixers, 40 dump trucks, 37 heavy dump trucks and six water lorries.

Defense Undersecretary Gardozo Luna, on behalf of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who is in the US, took part in the turnover rites with AFP chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.

Luna said the acquisition of the equipment was a product of the Nov. 8, 2004 memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Defense Cooperation between the DND and China’s Ministry of National Defense.

“The MOU is meant to further strengthen the friendly relationship between the two countries and (promote) bilateral exchanges in (the) defense industry, among others,” Luna said.

Luna added that the equipment will be used for humanitarian aid, disaster relief operations and other development programs of the government, including the rehabilitation of Marawi.

Paving the way for the procurement of the heavy equipment was the signing of an MOU on defense logistics between the DND and PolyTechnologies of China on May 15, 2017 followed by the Dec. 7, 2017 negotiations and notice of issuance of award to Polytech on Jan. 16, 2017.

“Supply and delivery of the engineering equipment is under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program, which was completed on Feb. 12, 2019,” said AFP spokesman Col. Noel Detoyato.

Detoyato added that the first batch of equipment was delivered at Camp Pintoy in Iligan City while the second batch was delivered at Camp Aguinaldo, Villamor Air Base and Bonifacio Naval Station, all in Metro Manila.