US to increase military assistance to PH

MANILA - The United States will raise its military assistance to the Philippines by about two-thirds, the highest level since U.S. troops returned to the Philippines in 2000. Foreign Affair Secretary Albert del Rosario said Washington had increased its military assistance package from $30 million next fiscal year to about $50 million. "For military financing, it's an allocation that is worked out by the U.S. Congress, and its usually for acquisition and maintenance," Del Rosario told reporters. Rosario said the Philippines may acquire a third Hamilton-class cutter to boost its efforts to patrol sea borders in view of recurring standoffs with China over territory in the South China Sea. The Hamilton-class high endurance cutter is the largest and newest warship in the Philippine Navy. The first two ships were acquired free of charge under the excess defence articles (EDA) under which Washington provides old equipment no longer in active use. But $25 million was spent to refurb ish them. The second cutter is to arrive next week in Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy base, 50 km (30 miles) northwest of Manila, where it will be repainted before joining its sister ship on patrols. ANC Dateline Philippines, August 1, 2013