No pre-conditions exist in $60-M US aid – Romulo
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo yesterday stressed the United States government did not impose pre-conditions in approving a higher allocation of US$60 million for military and economic aid to the Philippines next year, as he reiterated the Philippine government’s appreciation for the decision of the US Senate to increase funding assistance to the Philippines.
The US Senate made an almost three-fold increase to Foreign Military Funding (FMF) for the
“There are no pre-conditions to these increased levels of funding,” Romulo said.
According to Romulo, the Senate also provided an additional $2 million contingent outlay, over and above the $30 million FMF.
But Romulo said the
“The three requirements for us to be given this additional amount are already part of our overall and comprehensive approach to the issue of politically-motivated killings,” he said.
According to the Senate funding proposal, for the additional $2 million to be given, the US Secretary of State should report that the Philippine government is: implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; implementing a policy of promoting military personnel who demonstrate professionalism and respect for human rights; investigating and prosecuting military personnel and others who have been credibly alleged to have committed extrajudicial executions or other human rights violations; and that the Philippine military is not engaging in acts of intimidation or violence against members of legal organizations who advocate for human rights.
“Many of the recommendations that have been made so far by Professor (Philip) Alston are already part of the measures we have adopted. Military promotions are subject to extreme scrutiny – including from the Commission of Human Rights to the Commission on Appointments, and investigations and prosecutions are being undertaken when there is credible evidence. The Melo Commission and the UN Special Rapporteur have acknowledged that rogue elements, and not the entire Philippine military, are involved,” Romulo said.
He stressed that
“This is funding that has been central to uprooting terrorism by bringing in basic infrastructure, healthcare and education to affected areas,” he said.
Romulo is in
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