4 US military planes land at Clark on way to Gulf

CLARK FIELD — Four US military transport planes carrying 110 Marines taking part in the war against terrorism stopped over for refueling at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here yesterday.

Clark authorities said when the four cargo planes leave at 9 a.m. today for an undisclosed destination, five F-18 fighter jets will land at the Macapagal Airport for refueling.

The planes, which came from Okinawa, Japan, landed one after the other beginning at 12:15 p.m. and were parked in a hangar near the north runway reserved for Philippine Air Force planes.

Each aircraft, which also carried communications gear and other equipment, was guarded by a military policeman armed with an Armalite rifle.

Elmer Cato, acting executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACom), told reporters yesterday the commission had earlier given the US military planes landing clearance.

"The President had also stated that all US military presence in the country which form part of Operating Enduring Freedom is within the scope of the VFA," he said.

The 100 Marines belong to a support group and they included communications personnel, aircraft ground handlers, and mechanics, he added.

Maj. Allan Ballesteros, spokesman for the Air Force’s 600th Air Wing, said the US Marines were under orders to stay within the nearby Mimosa Estate, where they were billeted for the night, until their departure this morning.

"The US military has not divulged any information on where the US aircraft would head after their stay here, but they were part of Operation Enduring Freedom," he said.

President Arroyo was among the first world leaders to throw full support behind the US following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Mrs. Arroyo has offered use of the country’s airspace and ports, saying she would send ground troops if asked and Congress approved.

The US halted major exercises in the country and visits by US Navy ships in December 1996, when the government ended a legal guarantee that shielded US troops from prosecution for crimes committed here.

In May 1999, the Senate approved the VFA, allowing the resumption of joint military exercises and visits by US troops to the country.

US military advisers visited last week to assess the needs of the Armed Forces, which has been involved for months in a massive search for Abu Sayyaf terrorists holding about a dozen hostages in Basilan, including American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva will meet next week in Hawaii with Adm. Dennis Blair, commander of US forces in the Pacific, to discuss specifics of equipment and training the American military can provide.