US military aid shifts to Phl maritime security

MANILA, Philippines - A visiting State Department official said yesterday the United States is shifting the emphasis of its assistance to the Philippines towards the country’s maritime security.

Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro said foreign military financing (FMF) for the Philippines is a priority of the US government.

“We’re looking at transition of our support from internal security towards maritime security and our FMF agreements and support are to that shift,” Shapiro said during a roundtable discussion.

US trainers deployed to Mindanao concentrated in providing counterinsurgency and counterterrorism training for Philippine troops.

“The 600 special forces down South are still there. We don’t see immediate need in their status,” he said.

Shapiro, whose bureau is considered the principal link between the State Department and the US Defense Department, noted that a congressional notification period on the Coast Guard Cutter has expired, “which means that we’re now free to move ahead with the transfer.”

The US has provided the Philippine Navy with its modern vessel, Hamilton cutter, and committed last November to provide two more.

“I discussed this in my meeting earlier with the DND and I understand its desire to have the turnover, and this is something that I’ll push and look into when I’m back in Washington,” he said.

But Shapiro said the Philippines’ wish list to obtain a squadron of F-16 to improve its defense capability was not discussed.

Shapiro is in Manila for a visit from Feb. 9-11 to consult with senior Philippine civilian and military officials on further enhancing defense and security cooperation between the Philippines and the US.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the vessels and F-16s the Philippines would like to obtain were discussed with US officials, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Clinton delivered during her visit to Manila last November a strong message of assurance and support to the Philippines in protecting its maritime domain and improving territorial defense.

Del Rosario conveyed to US defense officials during his visit to Washington last June that to complement the Excess Defense Articles, which the US traditionally turns over to the Philippines, he was exploring an option to access “newer US military assets, which the Philippines could acquire quicker but through a deliberate selection and, which hopefully, are more cost-effective.”

The Philippine government’s preparedness to take action on the territorial dispute was conveyed during a meeting of Del Rosario and Clinton at the State Department last June 23.

Del Rosario stressed during the meeting the Philippine government’s resolve to strengthen its capabilities to defend its maritime territory.

The secretaries discussed the situation in the West Philippine Sea and shared the view that recent incidents there are a source of concern and could undermine regional peace and stability. – With Jaime Laude