US-funded anti-terrorist training center inaugurated

From the Manila Times (Mar 4): US-funded anti-terrorist training center inaugurated

A P12-million training center for anti-terrorism, funded by the US government for the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), opened last week in Zamboanga City.

Public Safety College President Ruben Platon and US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. inaugurated the facility in rites at Camp Felicisimo Marcos in Barangay Pasonanca, Zamboanga.

The P12.3-million secured training facility, constructed on the grounds of the PPSC Regional Training School-9 is designed for anti-terrorism training for police and law enforcement officers. The conduct of various police training under the PPSC will be sponsored by the US International Criminal Investigation Assistance Program (Icitap).

The building was completed in January 2013 with funds from the US Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-West. The US Department of Justice, through its Icitap will provide training at the facility for Philippine National Police units from the provinces of Zamboanga and Sulu. Some of the law enforcement training will include anti-trafficking in persons, community-oriented policing, human rights, ethics, leadership, and forensics investigation.

US Justice department/Icitap Program Manager Richard Miller and PPSC Vice President Marcelino Lipana, witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the PPSC and the US Embassy for the secured facility.

Platon thanked the US Embassy for its generosity and sincere effort to help the PPSC in the training of police officers in the fight against terrorism. He cited the US Justice department-Icitap and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their contributions in the capability enhancement and skills development of PPSC students who are at the frontline in anti-terrorism.

http://www.manilatimes.net/~manilati/index.php/news/regions/42690-us-funded-anti-terrorist-training-center-inaugurated