THE US Senate has proposed additional contingency fund for the Philippines amounting to $2 million on top of the $30-million foreign military funding, provided the Philippine government addresses extrajudicial killings and its military stops intimidating leftist groups.

But Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo is in denial as he stressed that “there are no preconditions” to the current amount of US foreign military funding that was increased threefold in September from $11 million, as proposed by the executive department, to $30 million.

Romulo said the US Senate alloted an addition $2 million provided the US State Department reports that:                                                 

• The Philippine government is implementing the recommendations of the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;

• The Philippine government is implementing a policy of promoting military personnel who demonstrate professionalism and respect for human rights, and is investigating and prosecuting military personnel and others who have been credibly alleged to have committed extrajudicial executions or other violations of human rights; and

• The Philippine military is not engaging in acts of intimidation or violence against members of legal organizations who advocate for human rights.

“The three requirements for us to be given this additional amount are already part of our overall and comprehensive approach to the issue of politically-motivated killings,” said Romulo.

He added: “Many of the recommendations that have been made so far by UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston are already part of the measures we have adopted.  Military promotions are subject to extreme scrutiny—including from the Commission of Human Rights to the Commission on Appointments, and investigations and prosecutions are being undertaken when there is credible evidence.  The Melo Commission and the UN special rapporteur have acknowledged that rogue elements, and not the entire Philippine military, are involved.” 

The Philippine government’s “resolve to defeat this scourge is clear,” citing that there are now  76 cases on trial, 33 cases ready for prosecution, and six persons including men in uniform, have been convicted.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of our friends in the US Congress to provide increased resources with which we can help secure our nation and build stronger foundations for growth and progress for our people,” said Romulo in a statement on Monday.

He added the US Senate has also proposed an increased economic support fund for the Philippines from $26 million to $30 million while urging the Arroyo administration to push through peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Romulo, who is at the United Nations headquarters in New York, met with Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa and discussed issues on the current deliberations on the US budget. Ambassador Gaa reported that the Senate-proposed funding will soon be taken up in the conference committee for finalization.

Romulo also emphasized that the funding from the US government would be useful in “uprooting terrorism by bringing in basic infrastructure, health care and education to affected areas.”

NOT even the supposed “reconciliation” between President Arroyo, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and former President Fidel Ramos would stop the opposition from “strengthening” what was described as a “weak” impeachment complaint against the Chief Executive.

AS tension rises in major cities in Pakistan after President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued a warning to some 3,000 Filipinos there to contact the embassy and consulates and take precautions.

GOVERNMENT forces killed on Monday an Abu Sayyaf subcommander following a brief firefight in a remote village in Akbar, Basilan.

Lafayette Philippines is planning to file charges against saboteurs and hoax artists, as it is becoming increasingly clear according to the company, that the latest fishkill report is another hoax very similar to the one foisted on Sorsogon residents last year.

THE National Police will not let up in its campaign to rid the service of misfits and other undesirable policemen, the country’s top cop said on Monday.

THE US Senate has proposed additional contingency fund for the Philippines amounting to $2 million on top of the $30-million foreign military funding, provided the Philippine government addresses extrajudicial killings and its military stops intimidating leftist groups.