UAE envoy to grace defense, arms show

MANILA, Philippines - United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Mosa Abdul Wahid Al Khajah along with other UAE officials will grace the opening rites of the 2011 Defense and Sporting Arms Show (DSAS) today, at 10:30 a.m. at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.

Khajah will be joined by UAE Embassy officials Mobarak Salem Al Ketbi and Hamad Abdulla Al Matrooshi, according to Gina Angcangco of Armscor Philippines.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo, will be the guest honor in the country’s premier and longest running gun show opening rites.

Bacalzo, along with other senior PNP officials, will be joined by executives of seven major foreign-based firearms manufacturing companies.

Willi Hahn of Hahn Manila said Sergi Mulor of Gamu Outdoor SL of Spain would arrive for the five-day gun show, now on its 19th year.

The other firearm company executives included Sven Souter, managing director of Glock-Asia Pacific; Khamis Al Muwaijel, regional manager of UAE-based Caracal International; Darren Newsom of BVAC based in Montana, USA; Tom Wagner, regional director of  Sig Sauer based in USA; Dave Skinner of STI International based in Texas, USA; and George Wedge, vice president of Para Ordnance USA.

Neri Dionisio, president of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers (organizer of DSAS), said that they have lined up several free seminars on gun safety and handling, responsible gun ownership, proper firearms maintenance, rescue and first aid, and martial arts.