US continued support and increased aid to RP police
Posted on August 29th, 2010
The United States government announced the increase in its law enforcement aid to the Philippines. From nearly P495 million in 2010, the country will be getting close to P630 million in 2011, according to the US Embassy in Manila. This support will come in the form of “technical assistance, training, facilities, and supply of equipment.”
“The US government is a proud partner to Philippine law enforcement agencies as we work together to protect our citizens against cross-border criminal threats, including drug smuggling, trafficking in persons, financial crimes and other violations,” the American diplomatic mission wrote in its website.
In simple rites in Puerto Princesa City early this month, US Ambassador to Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. formally turned over four “sophisticated patrol boats” to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group. Thomas said they recognized the “importance of investing in the PNP and establishing a viable and professional and maritime law enforcement presence,” emphasizing that “a strong and sustained maritime policing capability will safeguard the security of all.”
The US government has backed up the PNP with infrastructure projects worth P202 million over the past two years. This year, Washington said it will “build and equip a fully functional crime lab in and a secure barracks (with classroom) at the Philippine Public Safety College, both in Zamboanga City, and a general office building for the Philippine Drug Enforcement in Butuan City.”
In 2009, the US state department provided P157.2 million in anti-terrorism aid (ATA) to the PNP. ATA is also used to fund anti-terrorism curriculum development project for the PNP Academy, as well as a three-month PNP Basic Explosive Ordinance Disposal Training Course.
Meanwhile, a program by the US called the Rewards for Justice Program will continue to provide funds for “information leading to the capture, arrest, prosecution, and elimination of know terrorists. Since 2006, the program has paid P516 million to citizens of the Philippines for their cooperation in locating infamous terrorist,” the embassy said.
