US Embassy, Zamboanga del Sur partner for anti-terrorism hub 

The United States and Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday signed a memorandum of agreement to establish an anti-terrorism hub in Pagadian City.

The US Embassy in the Philippines and the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government signed the agreement establishing a P30.8-million ($500,000) law enforcement training program.

Under the agreement, the US Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance program will provide permanent training facilities in the city and host recurring specialized training courses for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“This partnership will enhance the capabilities of our law enforcers in deterring and preventing acts of terrorism. It will strengthen the security and stability of our government not only in the province of Zamboanga del Sur but most especially in Mindanao and even the whole country,” Zamboanga del Sur Governor Divina Grace Yu said.

“This investment in Pagadian reflects our confidence in the PNP and our conviction that a safer, more capable PNP means a safer Philippines, a safer United States, and a stronger Alliance between our two nations,” said Daniel Art, US Embassy acting senior regional security officer.

The US has facilitated ATA courses for more than 10,000 Filipino law enforcement personnel since 2006, which helped improve their capabilities to investigate, respond to, and mitigate terrorist threats and incidents.

An estimated 2,000 PNP and other law enforcement personnel are expected to train at the new facilities in Pagadian every year.

As the Philippines and the US commemorate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the US Embassy said the partnership will work to secure the two countries’ ties in the succeeding years. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA News