US contributing $26.5m for “non-military rule-of-law” programs to Philippines

July 19, 2018

The United States will contribute to the Philippines $26.5 million or more than P1.3 billion to bankroll the implementation of so-called “non-military rule-of-law” programs for the next two years intended to to address terrorist threats.

 The government stressed the assistance aims to enhance the counter-terrorism support for the Philippines’ law enforcement agencies.

 “The United States will contribute $26.5 million over the next two years to boost counter-terrorism support for Philippine law enforcement agencies,” the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement.

The assistance will include training, equipment, and other support to build comprehensive law enforcement capacity within a rule of law framework to deny terrorist operations, funding, and movement; investigate and prosecute terrorism cases; and counter radicalization to violence and violent extremism, the statement added.

“This support for non-military rule-of-law approaches to addressing terrorist threats will complement our sustained commitment to building the counter-terrorism capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the US Embassy explained.

The American government vowed to continue to provide its all-out support to the country’s counter-terrorism.

“The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines and will continue to provide whole-of- government support and assistance to Philippine counterterrorism efforts as we work together to address shared threats to the peace and security of both of our countries,” the US government declared. DMS