US exempts $336-M security aid to PH from freeze — report

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez on Monday welcomed the development but has yet to confirm if Manila has been formally notified. (File Photo: Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, USA/Facebook)

MANILA – The United States has exempted USD336 million for the modernization of Philippine security forces in its foreign aid freeze, a report said.

Reuters, in an exclusive dated Feb. 22, said the specific assistance is included in the USD5.3 billion previously frozen foreign aid that the Trump administration has released.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez on Monday welcomed the development but has yet to confirm if Manila has been formally notified.

“We are pleased with this development. Another significant sign that our strong partnership and alliance with the United States remains intact,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

Citing documents it secured, Reuters said the exemptions were made even before US District Judge Amir Ali on Feb. 13 ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift its funding pause on programs implemented as of Jan. 19.

Last year, former US Defense secretary Lloyd Austin III and State secretary Antony Blinken announced the grant of assistance worth USD500 million for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.