Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ricardo Marquez and Assistant Secretary William R. Brownfield, head of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), met and discussed maritime law enforcement efforts in the country and in the region on Wednesday.
Marquez said they talked about strengthening the
anti-criminality efforts of the PNP Maritime Group and other law enforcement
agencies.
”We have discussed a lot of things, especially on maritime
law enforcement and improving the capacity of our law enforcement personnel in
the PNP, particularly the maritime group,” Marquez said.
For his part, Brownfield said the cooperation on law
enforcement matters between the U.S.
”It is excellent cooperation which, in my opinion, brings
values to both our nations. We've cooperated in matters of drugs, or cybercrime
or financial crime or money laundering, transnational org crime related to
terrorism and kidnapping. All of those issues we discussed with the Director
General of the PNP today,” he told reporters during a press conference held at
the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame , Quezon
City
Brownfield’s office is tasked with combating international
crimes and illegal drugs, and their impact on the United States
INL programs cover the full spectrum of law enforcement and
the rule of law, including police professionalization, justice sector
development, correctional institution reform and citizen security
strengthening.
INL currently manages USD 20 million in foreign assistance
to the Philippines
Such assistance has had a significant impact already on
expanding the capabilities of Philippine partner agencies across the criminal
justice spectrum.
”The Chief PNP and I discussed increased cooperation with
the Maritime Group in terms of boats and equipment, in terms of capacity
building, in terms of exercises, communication and greater coordination in the
region and with other international players interested in providing support for
this purpose,” said Brownfield, who is the husband of former United States
Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney.
He noted the objective is to focus the law enforcement by
improving enforcement capabilities to address the issues.
”Our objective and our focus is law enforcement. We are
aware of course that there are other maritime issues at play in the region. Our
hope is that by improving law enforcement capabilities that will also allow the
countries and government of the region to address better those other issues. We
look forward to more and better cooperation in the future on all of our law
enforcement agenda but most recently, on our maritime law enforcement as well,”
Brownfield stressed.
Brownfield is accompanied by U.S. Coast Guard commandant
Admiral Paul F. Zukunft for a two-day visit which started Wednesday.
Brownfield was sworn in to his current post in January 2011.
He holds the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign
Service.
He has received the Distinguished Service Award and the
Presidential Performance Award three times.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=807448
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