MANILA, Philippines - The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to a defense spending measure that blocks aid, including equipment and training, to the Philippine National Police until the Philippines is deemed approved. compliance with basic human rights standards.
The 2023 National Defense Authorization Act Amendment, introduced by Representative Susan Wild (D-Pennsylvania) and passed by voice vote by the United States House of Representatives, stipulates that the State Department will not provide funding support for the PNP. until the Secretary of State confirms that the Philippines has:
-
Investigated and successfully prosecuted police who violated human rights,
ensured that they cooperated with judicial authorities in such cases, and
affirmed that such violations have ceased
-
Established that the Philippine National Police effectively protects the
rights of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, government
critics, religious leaders and other civil society activists to operate
without interference
- Taken effective steps to guarantee a judicial system that is capable of investigating, prosecuting and bringing to justice members of the police and military who have committed human rights abuses
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“The time is long overdue to begin putting some basic human rights guardrails in place in the United States-Philippines relationship,” Wild said in her remarks on the House floor.
She said that those who oppose her proposal would raise the US’ national security interests against China, but she countered that there is a need to maintain credibility on human rights issues.
“The need to counter the Chinese regime’s authoritarianism on the international stage is precisely why it’s so important that we maintain our credibility on human rights. It is why it is so vital that we do not undermine our own case for democracy and open ourselves up to charges of hypocrisy by supporting brutal regimes out of short term expediency,” she said.
However, Wild's amendment includes a waiver that would allow the president of the United States time to provide the PNP with support for up to 180 days provided that:
-
The foreign affairs panel of the US House and the foreign relations panel
of the US Senate is informed not later than 15 days before the effectivity
of the waiver
- The waiver is vital to the national security interests of the United States or its partners and allies
The Defense Expenditure Bill amendment borrows language from the Philippines' Bill of Rights, which Wild also introduced in 2020 and reintroduced the following year.
According to the US Embassy, the Philippines is the largest recipient of US military aid in the Indo-Pacific region, having received more than P57 billion of aircraft, armored vehicles, small arms and other equipment. other military equipment.
U.S. defense assistance to the Philippines continues despite the State Department's adverse findings in its latest report on the country's human rights situation, where it reported extrajudicial, forced killings. enforced disappearance, torture, arbitrary detention, and harsh conditions of detention.