A former head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Thursday called on the US government to cut military aid to the Philippines due to the unabated number of extra-judicial killings in the country.

“The US government must reconsider its financial support for a military that is accused of violating human rights in the name of war on terror,” Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in an article posted on the CBCP website.

He said the Obama government should “shift” its military aid to the hundreds of hungry and uneducated Filipinos, saying freedom from poverty and lack of education is the most basic human rights.

“Human rights violations will continue if they will not be served,” said Lagdameo.

Philippine authorities earlier said the US government has committed to increase defense and security assistance for the Philippines.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo the US Congress pushed for a higher US military aid to the Philippines in 2010 compared to previous years.

Romulo said the US doubled the amount of military aid to the Philippines for next year.

He said the Obama administration recommended $15 million in regular military assistance, but the US Congress increased it to $30 million.

However, $2 million of the allocation “may not be obligated until the Secretary of State reports in writing to the committees on appropriations” Philippine compliance with several conditions which include the prosecution of human rights violators, and an end to military harassment of civil society.