(UPDATE) Phl gets new M4 rifles

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines has received the second tranche of 27,200 M4 rifles from US-based firearms manufacturer Remington, a military official said today.

Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said the M4 rifles arrived in Manila on Thursday.

Detoyato said a team is due to start the technical inspection of the rifles on Monday prior to their formal acceptance and turnover to soldiers in the field.

The M4s will replace the old M16 rifles which are in the Philippine Army's inventory since the 1960s. Military officials earlier said that the M16s will be recalled and refurbished and will be used by reservists in case of emergency.

Last month, Remington delivered 100 M4 rifles to the Philippine military. The company is expected to deliver before the end of the year the rest of the 63,000 M4s ordered by the Philippine government. The M4s cost P2.4 billion ($54.88 million).

The purchase of new rifles is part of the Philippine government's efforts to upgrade the country's military capability.