DEFENSE and Army officials have sent two batteries or eight units of Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Mindanao, saying these are “game-changers” in the battle against terrorists and communists.
Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. led the send-off rites at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
“These assets are considered game-changers as they will certainly bolster the Armed Forces of the Philippines’s internal security operations for a decisive victory against enemies of the state,” said Faustino, a former Armed Forces chief.
“We are optimistic about your capability. Thus, we expect you will contribute significantly to our peace efforts in all conflict-affected areas where you will be deployed,” added Faustino.
The assets were part of the three batteries or 12 units of 155mm self-propelled howitzers recently acquired from the Israeli defense contractor, Elbit Systems, for P2.4 billion under the AFP modernization program.
The third battery, composed of four units of howitzers, will remain at the headquarters of the Army Artillery Regiment at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija for “rapid deployment anywhere,” said Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad.
The three batteries are under the direct command of the 10th Field Artillery “Rolling Thunder” Battalion (FAB) that was activated last June, six months after the delivery of the howitzers.
