The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, September 22, received various police equipment from the US that will be used to deter terrorism and improve security. 

According to the PNP, the US donated 18 sets of Cellebrite software, a technology used for intelligence. The US also turned over 57 laptops to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. 

For the PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal K9 Group, four Ford Ranger vehicles, six bomb suits, five logo scanners, and veterinary equipment were donated by the US. 

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Meanwhile, the PNP Special Action Force received one Ford Ranger, six Harris Radios, tactical medicine kits, crisis response team equipment, advance crisis response team equipment, and first response to medical stabilization kits. 

The donation came from the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security under the Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance. The turnover of equipment was led by Stephen Lesniak, Regional Security Officer of the US Embassy. 

According to Police Major General Angelito Casimiro, chief of PNP Directorate for Logistics, the donations would improve the counter-terrorism capabilities of the PNP. 

“While the security and welfare of the people rely on the number of police officers in the field, we are also putting more teeth to better deliver efficient and effective police service across the country with the help of our stakeholders and partners like the US Embassy. Thus, this kind of gesture strengthens the capacity of every police officer by upgrading their equipment for effective police operations,” Casimiro said. 

“These police equipment will surely beef-up the counter-terrorism capabilities of the PNP,” the PNP major general added. 

Based on the data of the US Embassy in Manila, the Philippines is the largest recipient of US military assistance in the entire Indo-Pacific region. From 2015 up to 2021, the Philippines already received more than P48.6 billion (around $1 billion) worth of security assistance from its long-time ally. 

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US lawmaker will reintroduce bill blocking aid to PH security forces

Most recently, on July 8, the country received P48.5 million in weapons from the US. However, amid this continuous military assistance and cooperation, a US lawmaker sought to block the security aid to the Philippines because of the reported abuses by the police and military. 

Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District Representative Susan Wild, on June 15, said she would reintroduce the Philippine Human Rights Act to the US congress, which sought to “suspend the provision of security assistance to the Philippines” until it has made “certain reforms to the military and police forces, and for other purposes.” – Rappler.com