Ours are realities

February 22, 2008  --  Got something to say?
Print This Post Print This Post

us-military.jpg
Theirs (US) are theories
By Rodney J. Jaleco
WASHINGTON D.C. -Actually, its give and take. Sila nagbibigay ng theories, tayo naman yungrealities doon safield. So natututo sila, natututo rin kami, Navy Cmdr. Sam Felix said as he summarized the state of Philippine-US security relations today.

Cmdr. Felix mixed freely in the crowd of military attaches that form part of the diplomatic community in Americas capital at cocktails during the Armed Forces of the Philippines anniversary at Ft. Myer in Arlington, Virginia Jn. 24. Felix and his mistah, Army Scout Ranger Lt. Col. Macky Alberto, are here to study fighting terrorists at the National Defense University, all paid for by the US government.

US officials are quick to advertise the success of American military engagement in the Philippines. They provide funds, training, intelligence and logistical support for Philippine troops who do the actual fighting against the two major groups they label as terrorist organizations the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) and New Peoples Army (NPA).

For Fiscal 2008, the US will provide $27.7 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can use to procure everything from jungle uniforms to machineguns to Huey gunships. The amount is slightly lower than the $30 million the AFP got in 2006 but significantly higher than the $11.1 million the State Department sought for the Philippines.

The aid reduction is largely the result of the outcry against human rights abuses in the Philippines. In March last year, a panel chaired by California Senator Barbara Boxer heard Philippine religious leaders and human rights activists paint a dark picture of extrajudicial killings and abuses allegedly perpetrated by Philippine security forces.

The Arroyo administration has vehemently denied the charges. Malacanang has pointed to recent gains in identifying and prosecuting suspects in the murder of over 800 churchmen, journalists, union organizers and peasant leaders.

But solons here were sufficiently concerned to insert a provision in the foreign aid budget that offers the AFP a $2 million incentive to meet certain conditions. They include implementation of the Phillip Alston recommendations against extrajudicial killings, adopting a promotion system in the AFP that rewards adherence to human rights, and punishing soldiers found guilty of murder and human rights violations. The US Congress has also tasked the State Department to attest the AFP does not intimidate or harass human rights advocates.

Marie Blanco, a senior staff member of Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, tells ABS-CBN News that the aid reduction was across the board and affected all discretionary accounts in the State Foreign Operations section of Fiscal 08 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

Ambassador Willy Gaa insisted that the Philippines has already met Congress conditions and should expect for the whole $30 million aid.

The Philippines was given $30 million for FMF, $2 million of which would be contingent on the Philippine complying with certain conditions, he explained. But he stressed, These conditions, I can assure you, have already been complied with by the Philippine government.

Some Fil-Am community leaders say contesting the Philippine envoys opinion can be ticklish for the Americans. While concerned with the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines, it also needs the AFP to press the battle against terrorism in our corner of the globe. And by their own account, the AFP is faring well, producing results that are certainly much better than what the US can show in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Maj. Gen. Roberto Sylim, the countrys military attach to Washington DC, disputes observations the AFP relies too much on US help. Hindi naman, pero siyempre pasalamat tayo kung meron. Alam mo naman sitwasyon natin na lahat na puwede ibigay sa atin, nagpapasalamat tayo dahil alam naman natin may kakulangan din, he said.

As military attach, Gen. Sylim presided over the procurement of 30 second-hand Huey helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (in reality, just 20 will be delivered since the ten are being cannibalized to refurbish and provide spare parts for the 20). Ten were delivered last year, 10 more are scheduled for delivery in 2008.
The Hueys, a PAF mainstay used both for combat and humanitarian missions, are constant reminders of how pervasive American military support is to AFP operations.

Gen. Sylim told ABS-CBNs Balitang America they are now in the process of identifying where the military aid should go. I just talked to some people in Pentagon and iyon nga, approve nabut were still in the process of detailing where this money will go, he said.

He explained that priority will be given to adequately equipping combat battalions. The battalions of excellence program is something the Chief of Staff wishes to complete this as soon as possible. After we have given the basic needs of our soldiers then we can provide other support materials like air and naval support. It comes step by step, Gen. Sylim averred.

Ambassador Gaa allayed fears the US aid will exacerbate political killings in the country. Theres no doubt that the FMF will be spent for its purpose. It is audited and managed in fact by the JUSMAG (Joint US Military Assistance Group), and the Philippines does not have solitary decision as far as the disposition of these funds are concerned, he explained.

More than the military hardware, its the software knowledge and technology transfer thats making a more lasting impression on AFP officers.

Cmdr. Felix, a product of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 86 and member of the elite Naval Special Warfare Group (SWAG), underscored the importance of training, specially in the fight against global terrorism.

But that training is not limited to counter terrorism. PAF Col. Rolando Jungco, a member of PMA Class 82, is taking a national security studies and reserves management course at Fort McNair in Washington D.C., which houses the National Defense University and War College, among others. They will complete their respective courses in the summer. But Capt. Ronald Bautista is headed home; hes just finished his intelligence course.

Kung saperspective namin bilangcounter-terrorism practitioners alam ko na marami pa dapat matutunan kami at sila rin sa atin, he explained.
Matagal na laban ito, he declared.


Posted by News Team | Filed Under Articles/Stories 

Comments

Got something to say?





Authentic Diecast Model Cars