US vows continued aid in anti-terror campaign

From Malaya Business Insight (Dec 4): US vows continued aid in anti-terror campaign

THE United States will continue to support the Philippine campaign against terrorism and the rehabilitation of Marawi even as it stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and human rights.

This was stressed in a joint statement after the 7th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue held from November 30 to December 1 in Washington D.C. attended by DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo and Defense Undersecretary Ricardo David, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Helvey.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration not only in the area of counterterrorism but also in maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, cybersecurity, anti-drug trafficking and drug prevention and treatment services as well as combating wildlife trafficking and illegal fishing.

The officials also pledged to continue working together to eliminate human trafficking.

“The United States congratulated the Philippines on defeating ISIS-supported terrorists in Mindanao and vowed to continue to support the fight against terrorism and the rehabilitation of Marawi,” the joint statement said, adding that “The US and Philippine delegations emphasized the importance of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Earlier, the US Embassy in Manila said the US government will continue to assist the AFP in its counter-terrorist efforts by providing technical assistance and surveillance.

The embassy said over the past three years the US has provided the Philippines with assistance valued at over P15 billion to establish better command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for the AFP.

At the height of the war in Marawi, the US deployed unmanned aerial surveillance aircraft to provide surveillance support to Filipino troops.

The US has also delivered to the AFP a Raven tactical unmanned aircraft system and two Cessna-208B surveillance aircraft, as well as various munitions and weapons to support urgent defense and counterterrorism needs.

The US also delivered 12 Ford F150 pick-up trucks to increase the mobility of the Philippine Navy Naval Special Warfare Group.

Last June, the US also delivered 300 M4 assault rifles, 200 Glock 21 pistols, 25 units combat rubber raiding craft, 100 M203 rail-mounted grenade launchers, 30 outboard motors and four M134 Dillon Gatling-type machine guns to the Philippine Marines.

This followed an earlier delivery of 400 M203 grenade launchers, 95 M40A5 sniper rifles and an RQ 11B Raven unmanned aerial vehicle system.

The Philippine Navy also received a tethered aerostat radar system from the US to bolster its capability to monitor the country’s territorial waters and airspace.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/us-vows-continued-aid-anti-terror-campaign