GMA: Additional US troops to engage in civic action

President Arroyo is seriously mulling the possibility of deploying more US personnel participating in civic action work at the Balikatan 02-1 on the island-province of Basilan where the Abu Sayyaf bandits are the targets of the ongoing anti-terrorist training of Filipino and American soldiers.

The President also disclosed yesterday Philippine and American government authorities are now reviewing the curriculum for the "next Balikatan" joint military exercises in Central Luzon which she also wants focused on the fight against international terrorism.

Another batch of 1,700 American troops is expected to arrive in the country next month for Balikatan 02-2 military exercises with some 2,100 Filipino counterparts to be held at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Clark Field in Pampanga and the naval base at Sangley Point in Cavite.

"Offhand, I see no serious objection to the proposition for expanding the assistance to community development for, after all, our effort at restoring peace in Basilan is not the end," Mrs. Arroyo said. "It is, in fact, just the beginning of a more arduous and sustained effort of bringing development to the province to reduce poverty."

She made it clear, however, that the projected arrival of more American military personnel to join the regular Balikatan exercises under the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will not devalue the valor, heroism, and gallantry of Filipino soldiers in the continuing operations in Basilan to rescue Filipina nurse Deborah Yap and the American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham who remain in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

"The 207 officers and enlisted personnel wounded or killed in action against the Abu Sayyaf from January 2001 up to this day are a painful testimony to your greatness and your willingness to pay the highest price for our national security," the President said.

"But we do not want to sacrifice more of our brave men and women, and yet the war must be fought," she vowed.

To this end, she announced she is awaiting the recommendations of her advisers on the US proposal to increase the civic action component of the ongoing Balikatan 02-1 in Basilan and Zamboanga City as well as the curriculum for the Balikatan 02-2 in Central Luzon.

The President made this announcement before the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headed by chief of staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva and the commanders of the AFP major service commands who joined the program marking the 105th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army held yesterday at Fort Bonifacio in Makati City.

"But in the meantime, on a matter of strategic policy, let me say that I welcome the thought that the next modification of the Balikatan curriculum should emphasize civic action," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"This is important to strengthen the physical and psychological parameters of the community caught in the vortex of combat operations," she pointed out.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told Palace reporters yesterday the 18th Balikatan exercises in Central Luzon is routinary. "What’s more important, I think, (is) the proposal to make a major enhancement of the Balikatan 02-1 in Basilan and Zamboanga so that it will be geared towards civic action and community work." — With Ding Cervantes