THE Armed Forces yesterday said the recent decision of the United States to unfreeze $336 million in security assistance to the Philippines will enable it to implement programs it has planned for this year, including those involving sea and air activities.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said part of the plans is acquiring equipment using the security assistance package.
“There are already particular programs that higher headquarters has mapped out for this year and even in the years to come… with this particular unfreezing of the support by the US government, it only means that our programs that have been initially planned out will push through. This will include activities on sea, air, and land, and even our support systems, cyber, and other areas,” he told a briefing.
“The unfreezing of the aid to the Philippines by the US government is a very much welcome development,” he added.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said the US decision “has further strengthened the ties between the two countries.”
Malacañang also welcomed the US decision.
Presidential Press Officer Clarissa Castro said the foreign aid would greatly help the country, especially in the modernization of the Armed Forces.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday said the Philippines has notified by the US of its decision to exempt part of the security assistance from the 90-day suspension on all foreign aid ordered by US President Trump last month.
The Biden administration last year announced a $500-million assistance to the Philippines.
A recent Reuters report said the Trump administration released $5.3 billion in previously frozen foreign aid, mostly for security and counternarcotics programs. – With Jocelyn Montemayor
