Maritime
US Ambassador Sung Kim to the Philippines
Z
AMBOANGA CITY , Philippines –In a bid to help
combat piracy and terrorism, the US government
has given the nod to grant $1 million in aid for the
establishment of a maritime facility in southern
Mindanao.
The commitment was made by US Ambassador
Sung Kim during a courtesy call on city Mayor
Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and security offi-
cials yesterday, amidst tight security complement-
ed by soldiers and heavily armored policemen in
armored personnel carriers patrolling the sur-
rounding downtown areas.
Kim declined media interviews but Salazar said they requested the
US envoy extend the grant that will expire this year. She also expressed
the city government’s gratitude to the US government for the various
economic aid and programs provided to the city.
The financial assistance will be used for the establishment of the
main headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime
in the eastern coast of the city. Salazar added that the US ambassador
16
Philippine
maritime
security to
benefit from
US$1-M aid
agreed to their request.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has intensified securi-
ty in the border near Tawi-Tawi to address the spate of cross-border
kidnappings staged by the Abu Sayyaf.
In his visit to Sulu last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
said additional naval assets and even drones will be deployed to ensure
security in the vast sea lanes where the Abu Sayyaf carried out their
kidnapping and high sea attacks. The Defense chief added that addition-
al marines and military helicopters were also deployed in Tawi-Tawi.
It was the first visit of Kim to this city and to the southern Philip-
pines. He also visited US troops stationed inside Western Mindanao
Command (Westmincom).
Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of Westmincom, confirmed
the visit but said there was no meeting with local military commanders.
“He went straight to the US station and met with their US forces,”
Petinglay said.
Over 100 American soldiers are still based inside the military head-
quarters here on liaison mission to provide technical assistance to their
local military counterparts in counter terrorism operations.