US allocates $17.68M for Philippines' law enforcement, judicial reforms

MANILA, Philippines - The United States (US) will provide more than $17.68 million as assistance for the Philippines' enhancement of law enforcement and justice sector reforms to address extrajudicial killings and other human rights cases.

 

The assistance will cover the funding for the Global Security Contingency Fund Program which will prepare the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard in fighting terrorism and maintaining peace in the lands and waters of the Philippines.

 

The agreement between the United States and Philippines also includes funding the Justice Sector Reform Project that will assist reforms of the Philippine criminal justice system. Extrajudicial killings and other human rights cases will be addressed as funds will be provided for investigating, prosecuting and preventing said cases.

 

“Both our countries perceive these challenges as common threats and we welcome the opportunity to work with the US Government to eliminate these threats that scourge our people,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia said.

 

Cuisia and Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement William Brownfield signed the agreement which was provided under Amendment 3 to the 2011 Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.

 

“This Agreement will once again prove to be good to both the Philippines and the United States and for the entire Southeast Asia. With better enforcement and better ability of the Philippines to police its reefs, islands and other claims, the Agreement will be beneficial to the rest of the world,” Brownfield said.

 

Last year, the US Department of State and Department of Defense provided $40 million for training the PNP and Coast Guard in maritime security, counter-terrorism and law enforcement.