The US government has donated P11.2 million to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to renovate its training facilities in General Santos City to further boost the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney sealed the donation in a memorandum of understanding she signed together with PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon and Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“It’s part of a series of training efforts that we’re undergoing so that the PNP, specifically on anti-trafficking and drugs, can have the right facilities to train (and) share ideas (and) techniques, not just with Americans, (but) with each other (and) also with other nations,” Kenney said.
“The thing about drug traffickers is they are international… So increasingly, no nation can do it alone. We really have to collaborate, we have to share experiences and train together and that’s what we are doing with that facility,” she added.
The US donation would go to the renovation of the training facilities of the PNP at its regional base in General Santos, including new sleeping quarters, a dining area, and classrooms and upgraded small arms ranges and tactical “shoothouse.”
“The US enjoys a strong partnership with Philippine law enforcement officials and this is just one example of US support in improving the infrastructure, including those in Zamboanga and San Fernando, La Union,” Kenney said.
Meanwhile, Kenney congratulated Calderon who is retiring as PNP chief after a 15-month stint.
“I want to congratulate him on his great tour of really working to modernize the police force, to address the tough issues the police today face. And of course, I take the opportunity to congratulate his incoming successor,” she said.
Kenney said she is looking forward to working with Razon, whom President Arroyo has named as Calderon’s successor. – With Pia Lee-Brago