The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received medical supplies and personal protective equipment worth P68 million for the military’s COVID-19 response.
The AFP Health Service Command (AFPHSC) will use the donations to improve their pandemic response.
“In the midst of a complex and volatile security environment, Australia has continuously extended its support in the endeavors and advocacies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and, of course, our national government. In particular, Australia has been a dependable partner in confronting the prevailing health crisis,” AFP chief General Cirilito Sobejana said.
The official said the additional aid would augment AFP’s medical resources to ensure the safety of military personnel who also serve as frontliners amid the pandemic.
“The AFP has undoubtedly stood strong and resilient in the midst of this pandemic, yet we also recognize the need for better and accessible medical equipment to vigorously ensure the welfare of our personnel,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sobejana assured the Australian government would be maintained and maximized accordingly.
Australia donates P68M worth of PPE, medical supplies to AFP
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines will continuously work alongside our Australian counterparts to promote our shared interests and aspirations of our two nations and to further strengthen our decades-long mutually beneficial partnership,” Sobejana said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also attended the turnover of donations held at the GHQ Canopy area in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Thursday. Representing the donors were Steven Robinson AO, the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, and Colonel Paul Joseph Barta, the Defense Attaché, Australian Embassy Manila.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said the country would be receiving surplus Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses from the United States.
“It’s free, it’s part of the help they are giving to their allies,” Romualdez said in a radio interview.
The ambassador said the number of doses given to the Philippines would be determined in the coming days.
“In the next couple of days, malalaman natin kung ilan ang ipapadala sa atin [we’ll know how many will be sent to us], but this is good news to us,” he said. Romualdez added the White House informed him that the Philippines will be among the first batch of recipients of US surplus vaccines.
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