On Monday, August 16, 2010, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas, Jr., on behalf of the US Government presented four police patrol boats to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group Special Boat Unit (SBU) headquartered in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Vigilance learnt that the funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) helped establish and train the unit and that it was a gesture meant to reflect the U.S’ partnership with the Philippines' law enforcement agencies in efforts to protect citizens of both countries against cross-border criminal threats.
Vigilance authoritatively gathered that the civilian maritime police boats will be used by the Philippine National Police in their efforts to interdict criminals, combat trafficking in narcotics, persons, or other illicit activities, and strengthen security off the coasts of the islands of Palawan province – eliminating safe havens for terrorists and other criminals and increasing the capabilities of U.S’ foreign partners to cooperate with her and her neighbouring countries in matters of mutual concern.
The donated boats are said to have been procured with INL funding from Naiad Inflatables of Newport, Inc. in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
INL’s assistance program in the Philippines is implemented by the U.S. Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) and it works in partnership with the Philippine National Police to strengthen police competencies throughout the country.
Vigilance also learnt that the Model Police Station Project delivers training in 21 core subject areas, such as criminal investigations, community policing, leadership, women and children’s issues, and police ethics and since 2006, the program has churned out more than 9,000 police graduates, of which 22 percent were female officers.