RP seeks military aid from U.S.

RP seeks military aid from U.S.

MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines has asked the United States for up to US$19 million in military aid over the next year, a U.S. government official said on Monday.

U.S. military assistance to the Philippines in 2000 was worth just $2 million.

"This would be permanently focused on helping the armed forces of the Philippines maintain some of the equipment they have and necessary training, and things along that line," U.S. Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, James Kelly, told a news conference.

Earlier this year President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo asked the United States for logistics support in fighting Abu Sayyaf rebels who are holding Filipino and American hostages in the south of the country.