PH, US to establish, operate P520M state-of-art counterterrorism training center

Philippine National Police Chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde (left) and US Embassy in the Philippines deputy chief of mission John Law (right) shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding on Thursday (Aug. 15, 2019) to establish a P520-million state-of-the-art regional counterterrorism training center in Cavite. Photo courtesy of the US Embassy in Manila.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States have signed an agreement to establish a P520 million state-of-the-art regional counterterrorism training center in Cavite.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde and US Embassy in the Philippines deputy chief of mission John Law signed the memorandum of understanding on Thursday to put up and jointly operate the center.

The center, the US Embassy said in a statement, would be constructed on the grounds of the PNP Academy in Silang, Cavite.

“The U.S. Department of State has secured Php 520 million ($10 million) in counterterrorism partnership funds to establish and jointly operate the center with the PNP,” the embassy said.

“Once constructed, the center will provide counterterrorism training for law enforcement units and personnel from the Philippines and regional partner nations,” its statement further read.

According to the embassy, this project comes in response to a request from the PNP for a state of the art facility to provide enhanced regional counterterrorism training.

The establishment of this center, the embassy further noted, reflects the “enduring commitment” of the US to support counterterrorism efforts of the Philippines and to work together to address threats to peace and security in the region. /je