Beyond the MLSA, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell announced an additional $55 million in military assistance for the Philippines during an early August visit, and Manila and Washington have established the joint Defense Policy Board to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and coordination.
The tighter security cooperation between the two sides also can be seen in the search for communist militants in the Philippines. After Manila this summer declared the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebel group all but defeated, it turned its sights on the New People's Army and related communist militants.
The tighter security cooperation between the two sides also can be seen in the search for communist militants in the Philippines. After Manila this summer declared the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebel group all but defeated, it turned its sights on the New People's Army and related communist militants.
Washington quickly obliged Manila, adding the groups to its list of international terrorists and calling on the international community to block funding to Philippine communist groups. Helping Manila fight the Abu Sayyaf was Washington's original justification for deploying troops to the country in January and seeking closer military links. Now with the Abu Sayyaf fading, both nations have found a new mutual enemy -- laying the groundwork for even more cooperation in the months and years to come.
STRATFOR.com
STRATFOR.com
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