PNP receives P20-M US grant

MANILA, Philippines - The United States has donated P20 million in equipment and infrastructure to enhance the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) counter-terrorism capability.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima formally received the donation Wednesday from Ambassador Harry Thomas during a ceremony at the PNP Special Action Force Training School in Fort Sto. Domingo.

Thomas and Purisima inaugurated the newly constructed PNP-SAF amphitheater and classroom in the police camp in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The PNP Engineering Service constructed the new facilities, funded by the aid package from the US state department’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program (ATAP).

The ATAP package also includes three brand new four-wheel drive Explosives and Ordnance Disposal tactical vehicles for the bomb squads of SAF and the Police Regional Offices in Western and Central Mindanao.

The ATAP grant also bankrolled the rehabilitation of the water system of the SAF training facility and provided other police equipment, including a Harris field radio and medical kits.