THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines has acquired 248 units of cranes, bulldozers, loaders, and other engineering equipment from China worth P1.5 billion, which will be used for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and nearby affected areas. “This is the result of our friendship with China, setting aside ‘yung sinasabing samaan ng loob (what they call ill feelings) or other apprehensions…. We can develop a lot of good relationships with our neighbors,” National Defense Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna said in an interview with reporters on March 27 during the turn over ceremonies of the equipment at Camp Aguinaldo. The engineering equipment were among the initial projects under “Horizon 2” of the AFP Modernization Program, which was completed last Feb. 12. Mr. Luna also said that the Chinese government will give the Philippines a deployable bridge for disaster situations. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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