Militant Groups Question Continued US Military Presence In Southern Philippines

A US military Boeing C17 cargo and troop transport plane takes off Friday, September 19, 2008 from the dilapidated runway of the Zamboanga City International Airport in the southern Philippines. Hundreds of US troops are deployed in areas in the Sulu Archipelago and Mindanao Island, where the Philippine military is battling Muslim and communist insurgencies. American troops are involved in humanitarian missions in those areas, but at the same time training local soldiers and assisting and advising Filipino forces in fighting terrorism. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 19, 2008) – Militant groups and political activists on Friday questioned the continued presence of US troops in the southern Philippines, especially in areas where Filipino forces are battling Muslim and communist insurgencies.

“The continuing presence of US troops in various parts of Mindanao already goes beyond what the Philippine Senate contemplated as temporary during its deliberations on the VFA in 1999. The Senate deliberations defined ‘temporary’ as being about six months. The US troops have been in Mindanao for six years,” Renato Reyes, Jr., secretary-general of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said in a statement.

Reyes was referring to the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States which covers forces visiting temporarily. The agreement is intended to clarify the terms under which the foreign military is allowed to operate.

Other lawmakers also questioned the constitutionality of the treaty and they have filed two resolutions seeking a probe into the continuing presence and the involvement of the US military in local military activities and a review of the VFA.

Reyes blamed the VFA as the culprit on why US troops have overstayed in the southern Philippines. American forces have built a base in Zamboanga City, which houses the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, since 2001, when both countries held the Balikatan, which means “Shoulder-to-shoulder,” a codename for joint military training between American and Filipino soldiers.

But since then, the US military continued its presence in the restive region, especially in areas in Sulu archipelago and in Mindanao where local troops are fighting the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Although American troops come and go, the presence of US forces in the southern Philippines is vital in Manila’s campaign to defeat terrorism.

“The problem with the VFA is that it does not define in clear and uncertain terms the scope, duration of stay and the extent of the engagement of US troops. In some ways, it is worse than the previous US bases agreement because of its vagueness. For all intents and purposes, an unlimited number of US troops can stay here for an unlimited period of time, even if there are no joint military exercises,” Reyes said.

Reyes said they will also look into the terms of reference during the first Balikatan that paved the way for the continued stay of US troops in Mindanao.

“Even the Terms of Reference of the Balikatan 02-1 was vague. It did not define the length of stay nor did it give assurances that the US troops will not engage in actual combat operations. That is why we have US troops embedded in AFP combat units who are involved in actual combat operations, in clear violation of the Constitution,” Reyes said.

The US Embassy said there are no permanent American military bases in Mindanao and that US troops were not involved in combat operations. The Philippine military said US troops deployed in Mindanao are active in humanitarian missions and development aid and have been providing intelligence information about terror groups in the South.

Militant groups said the US military also maintains a facility inside the Zamboanga City International Airport and a docking area at the Majini Pier inside the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command and a training facility inside Camp Arturo Enrile in Malagutay village, all in Zamboanga City. And encampments inside Philippine Army bases in Mindanao.

Reyes’ group also challenged the Philippine Senate to exercise its oversight functions and immediately probe the presence of the US troops in Mindanao. “We challenge the Senate to conduct an on-site inspection of the facilities being set up by the US troops to see if the sovereignty of the Philippines in still in effect over those areas,” Reyes said.

On Friday, a US military Boeing C17 cargo and troop transport plane arrived in Zamboanga City and left a few hours later after loading equipment inside the Zamboanga International Airport. Local journalists were not allowed near the huge aircraft and radio broadcasters have to hide from US troops guarding the area to be able to report about the activity. (Mindanao Examiner)