IRON BIRD: A US Navy Sea Hawk chopper lands 11 Feb 2006 in Jolo island in the southern Philippines. Above, US troops gets instructions. (Zamboanga Journal) JOLO island (Zamboanga Journal / 12 Feb) Top US and Philippine security officials praised the locals for their support to the joint military drills in the southern island of Jolo, where thousands of American and Filipino troops are to hold the Balikatan 2006.
More than a thousand Muslims led by the influential Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun, marched on the streets of Jolo and chanted pro-US slogans, many appealing to Washington for more humanitarian aid to the impoverished island, about 950 kim south of Manila.
"I call on every Muslims in Sulu to support the government and the Balikatan program because this will bring us more humanitarian aid. Let us show the world that we are peaceful citizens. I appeal to every Muslims to welcome our American visitors and support their peaceful cause," Pulalun said.
Hundreds of placard-bearing villagers, some came as far as the Parang town, south of the island, joined the rally, but thousands more of Pulalun supporters were stranded in remote towns in Jolo because of the lack of vehicles to bring them to the rally, said Prof. Samuel Tanjil.
"We are really grateful to the Sultan and the Muslims that all supported our Balikatan program and we appreciate their efforts and we are one with the people in making this island safe and peaceful for everybody," the island's military chief Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo said Sunday.
Senior US military officials also praised the locals and efforts of Pulalun to unify the people and support the Balikatan, the codename for the joint training exercise between the two countries.
Philippine Army commander Brig. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito said about 250 US troops and more than 4,000 Filipino soldiers, including military medics and engineers are participating in the month long training, but most of them will undertake humanitarian missions in far-flung and poor villages in Jolo.
"The training will refresh the soldiers' fighting capability, but there will be more humanitarian activities and medical missions as part of the Balikatan program," he said.
It was the first time the secluded 50-year old Pulalun came out in the open to support the Balikatan, which means shoulder-to-shoulder. And also the first time that many Muslims came out to publicly support the presence of US forces in Jolo.
Many people were waving hundreds of small US and Philippine flags and placards welcoming the Americans.
"We Love You America, Welcome!" one placard reads. "This is what we really want, we need the Americans to help us fight terrorism and so we may live peacefully here," said Abdulgafur Omar, a 29-year old trader.
Omar said he joined the rally after he heard Pulalun appealing on local radio stations for the public to support the military drills because it would bring medical aid to the island.
"That is what we need here, medicines and other assistance, like schools and clinics and the white soldiers to build mosques for free. That is what they say about this thing called Balikatan, this is really good and the Americans are kind people," he said.
Pulalun said he ask nothing in return, but appealed to the US and Philippine governments to pour more development projects and humanitarian aids to the island.
"We ask for nothing in return, but I humbly appeal to the government to help our poor people and give them access to basic services, such as health and education," Pulalun, who is active in humanitarian works in the south, said.
Police also seized Sunday leaflets containing anti-US propaganda and black and white photographs of abused Iraqi soldiers in Abu Graib prison after Muslim villagers informed authorities about it.
The script urges Muslims in Jolo to protest the presence of US troops participating in a joint military drills with the Philippines, saying, the locals will suffer the same fate as the Iraqis as depicted on the photos taken from the Abu Graib prison. "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar! No To Balikatan," part of the script reads.
But many local Muslims were angry with the script because it mentioned the name of Allah five times and associated it with calls to oust the US troops from Jolo. "That is blasphemy! You don't put the name of God in vain. And Muslims do not use the name of Allah for propaganda or political purposes because it is Holy," said the 54-year old Hashim Moin.
Last week, a small group of anti-US protestors held a rally in downtown Jolo and demanded the pullout of all American soldiers from the island for fear they will abuse human rights of the locals.
But the US Embassy said all military personnel participating in the joint training exercise and activities in the Philippines were made fully aware of Filipino culture and sensitivities and their obligation to obey Philippine law.
"Each participating American citizen is an informal ambassador in the Philippines, representing the United States. US personnel will treat others with appropriate military courtesy whether on or off duty, in or out of uniform. US personnel will be he considerate of Philippine customs and will not engage in any behavior, wear any clothing or make any statement which may offend a Filipino."
"Mutual respect and shared commitment to the protection of the national interests of our two nations is the foundation for the long-lived, excellent cooperation between Philippine and US military and security forces. During the Balikatan 2006 and all such exercises, the US will continue to assure that its service members obey Philippine law and respect Philippine dignity and sensitivities," it said.
The training is expected to bring humanitarian and medical aid to many poor families in Jolo, one of the poorest provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, said Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo, commander of military forces here.
"US and Filipino troops have started the construction of at least three classrooms in Sulu National High School worth almost two million pesos and we hope to do more in other areas," Aleo said.
Officials said the exercise is consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement and will improve combined planning of the US and Philippine military forces. It is one of many ongoing activities under the framework of RP-US military security cooperation.
The Balikatan 2006 demonstrates Washington's resolve to continue the commitment to train, advice and assist the Philippine military to build capacity to counter terrorism.
The training program, officials said, includes support for comprehensive defense reform; security assistance modules for counter-terrorism training; operations intelligence fusion; and aspects in education programs, logistics, and engineering, equipment, and maintenance and helicopter programs.
It will also enhance the skills and capabilities of Filipino and American forces in combating terrorism and other internal and external security threats. And improve inter-operability between RP and US forces through the exchange of training skills and techniques.
The training is part of Washington security assistance to the Philippines, a key US ally in Southeast Asia in the so-called global war on terrorism.
US Navy Sea Hawk helicopters have began transporting personnel to Jolo since Saturday, but more troops and equipment are expected to arrive this week onboard the larger US Chinook choppers and cargo ships.
In December, American and Filipino troops held their first medical mission in Parang town which benefited more than 1,500 people and just this month, US and Philippine soldiers finished a medical mission for some 1,000 mostly poor Muslims in Indanan town.
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