US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill cited yesterday the successful counter-terrorism cooperation between the US and the Philippines and said that Washington is ready to pour in more development aid to the country if necessary.
He said the US regarded the counter-terrorism assistance and training extended to Philippine troops, particularly in Mindanao, as “successful and desirable and we would want to see them continued.”
Since the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2001, US forces have been training and equipping the Philippine military troops in Mindanao, which is considered one of the major fronts against terror in the region due to the presence of at least two al-Qaeda-linked groups – the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) – as well as communist rebels.
US troops have also been engaged in civil works in Basilan and Sulu, constructing roads and bridges.
Local officials said the improved infrastructure helped the local economy and lessened tensions.
“We believe the Philippines found itself kind of in the frontlines in dealing with terrorism. It’s not an easy position to be, it’s not a position the Philippines chose for itself. So we want to be helpful,we want to be supportive, and we will continue to be,” Hill said.
He added that if the terror threat in the Philippines “adjusts itself, then we have to adjust ourselves to the threat.”
Hill arrived in Manila on Tuesday as part of the US delegation, led by US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, to the ASEAN Regional Forum. Hill is also the lead US negotiator on the Six-Party Process on the North Korean nuclear issue.
In an interview with a select group of journalists at the US Embassy in Manila, Hill condemned the ambush and beheading of Marines by suspected Islamic militants in Basilan two weeks ago.
He said the latest atrocity in Basilan would not dissuade the US government from extending development aid to Mindanao as foreign assistance to the region has improved the prospects for peace and development. – Paolo Romero
