U.S. Arms and Aid to the Philippines
The relationship between the United States and the Philippines recently has been rocky, as Philippines President Duterte has called for an end to joint military exercises in 2017 and questions have arisen about future cooperation as criticism mounts concerning human rights abuses during his country's anti-drug campaign. In the near term, the United States will need to consider whether and how to continue foreign military sales, direct commercial sales and other military assistance efforts.
According to data compiled at the Stimson Center (Rachel Stohl), since 2001 more than $2 billion in arms sales and $570 million in security assistance has been authorized by the United States to the Philippines. This is in addition to assistance provided in support of joint special operations, including more than $100 million in Section 1206 assistance provided between 2006 and 2012. Additional information is also available from the Security Assistance Monitor.
On 6 October John Kerby, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State was asked to comment on the U.S. relationship with the Philippines and specifically on security assistance. Kerby commented that "[the rhetoric that the U.S. would suspend security assistance to the Philippines is] obviously – we believe, frankly, is at odds with the very close relationship that the United States continues to enjoy with the Philippines and the American people continue to enjoy with the Filipino people."
The following Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts* may be quoted as below and are available to talk with media about this topic
According to data compiled at the Stimson Center (Rachel Stohl), since 2001 more than $2 billion in arms sales and $570 million in security assistance has been authorized by the United States to the Philippines. This is in addition to assistance provided in support of joint special operations, including more than $100 million in Section 1206 assistance provided between 2006 and 2012. Additional information is also available from the Security Assistance Monitor.
On 6 October John Kerby, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State was asked to comment on the U.S. relationship with the Philippines and specifically on security assistance. Kerby commented that "[the rhetoric that the U.S. would suspend security assistance to the Philippines is] obviously – we believe, frankly, is at odds with the very close relationship that the United States continues to enjoy with the Philippines and the American people continue to enjoy with the Filipino people."
The following Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts* may be quoted as below and are available to talk with media about this topic
Rachel Stohl Senior Associate, Stimson Center (see also commentary) - October 13, 2016
"In the last 15 years, the United States has authorized over $570 million in security assistance and more than $2 billion in arms sales to the Philippines. In light of President Duterte’s increasingly aggressive domestic rhetoric and hostility towards the United States, the United States would be well served to more closely evaluate future arm sales and security assistance. The United States should not let counter-terrorism priorities override the potential risk of human rights violations."
"In the last 15 years, the United States has authorized over $570 million in security assistance and more than $2 billion in arms sales to the Philippines. In light of President Duterte’s increasingly aggressive domestic rhetoric and hostility towards the United States, the United States would be well served to more closely evaluate future arm sales and security assistance. The United States should not let counter-terrorism priorities override the potential risk of human rights violations."
Iain Overton Executive Director, Action on Armed Violence - October 11, 2016
"There is a fundamental lack of transparency that covers U.S. exports of small arms to the Philippines, and this opacity is mired in a stench you just can't ignore.
U.S. government information involving the export of 59,904 pistols from the American subsidiary of Glock to the Philippines government was not released because the publication of this data ‘could cause competitive harm to the United States firm concerned.’ Perhaps the U.S. government should be more concerned about the physical harm these guns have caused in the hands of government-sponsored assassins and murder squads, than the impact on an Austrian company's bottom line.
But, as with so much when it comes to guns in the U.S., politicians look away...or they are paid to.”
"There is a fundamental lack of transparency that covers U.S. exports of small arms to the Philippines, and this opacity is mired in a stench you just can't ignore.
U.S. government information involving the export of 59,904 pistols from the American subsidiary of Glock to the Philippines government was not released because the publication of this data ‘could cause competitive harm to the United States firm concerned.’ Perhaps the U.S. government should be more concerned about the physical harm these guns have caused in the hands of government-sponsored assassins and murder squads, than the impact on an Austrian company's bottom line.
But, as with so much when it comes to guns in the U.S., politicians look away...or they are paid to.”
Dr. Matthew Bolton Associate Professor of Political Science, Pace University - October 11, 2016
“While the US has not yet ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, as a signatory the US should support vigorous implementation of the Treaty’s provisions, which actually accord with US export controls. In Presidential Policy Directive 27, US arms export regulations also require the government to assess ‘the likelihood that the recipient would use the arms to commit human rights abuses or serious violations of international humanitarian law.’ Given the involvement of the Philippine security forces in extrajudicial killings, the US – and other arms exporters – must withhold military assistance and block arms transfers that would contribute to such human rights abuses. Instead the US must contribute its diplomatic and foreign aid resources to supporting peacebuilding, civil society and rule of law in the Philippines.”
“While the US has not yet ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, as a signatory the US should support vigorous implementation of the Treaty’s provisions, which actually accord with US export controls. In Presidential Policy Directive 27, US arms export regulations also require the government to assess ‘the likelihood that the recipient would use the arms to commit human rights abuses or serious violations of international humanitarian law.’ Given the involvement of the Philippine security forces in extrajudicial killings, the US – and other arms exporters – must withhold military assistance and block arms transfers that would contribute to such human rights abuses. Instead the US must contribute its diplomatic and foreign aid resources to supporting peacebuilding, civil society and rule of law in the Philippines.”
Jasmin Nario-Galace Executive Director, Center for Peace Education (Miriam College, Philippines) - October 13, 2016
"President Duterte’s drug war has killed 1,900 people in 60 days since he assumed the Presidency. That’s roughly 32 extra-judicial killings every day from police operations and from groups involved in the drug trade, in the name of wiping out drug use in the country. As we* argue in the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), arms should not be transferred if these arms will be used to commit human rights violations and atrocities. Both Philippines and US have not ratified the ATT but both have ratified the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)."
*Note: The Center for Peace Education has issued a statement on extrajudicial killings.
"President Duterte’s drug war has killed 1,900 people in 60 days since he assumed the Presidency. That’s roughly 32 extra-judicial killings every day from police operations and from groups involved in the drug trade, in the name of wiping out drug use in the country. As we* argue in the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), arms should not be transferred if these arms will be used to commit human rights violations and atrocities. Both Philippines and US have not ratified the ATT but both have ratified the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)."
*Note: The Center for Peace Education has issued a statement on extrajudicial killings.
* Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Please contact experts directly for further comments.