ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – The US government has agreed to extend $1 million in aid for the establishment of a maritime facility in southern Mindanao to help combat piracy and terrorism.
US Ambassador Sung Kim made the commitment during a courtesy call on city Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and security officials yesterday.
Security was tight, with soldiers and heavily armed policemen in armored personnel carriers seen downtown.
Kim declined media interviews but Salazar said they requested the US envoy for the extension of the grant that will expire this year.
She also expressed the city government’s gratitude to the US government for the various economic aid and programs provided to the city.
The financial assistance will be used for the establishment of the main headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime in the eastern coast of the city.
Salazar said the US ambassador agreed to their request.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has intensified security in the border near Tawi-Tawi to address the spate of cross-border kidnappings staged by the Abu Sayyaf.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in his visit last week to Sulu said additional naval assets and even drones will be deployed to ensure security in the vast sea lanes where the Abu Sayyaf carried out their kidnapping and high sea attacks.
Lorenzana said additional marines and military helicopters were also deployed in Tawi-Tawi.
It was the first visit of Kim to this city and to the southern Philippines. He also visited US troops stationed inside Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of Westmincom, confirmed the visit but said there was no meeting with local military commanders.
“He went straight to the US station and met with their US forces,” Petinglay said.
Over 100 American soldiers are still based inside the military headquarters here on liaison mission to provide technical assistance to their local military counterparts in counter terrorism operations.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/03/17/1681981/us-extends-1-m-aid-philippine-maritime-security
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.