16 of 18 mayors favor Balikatan 03-1 in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A majority of the town mayors of Sulu have voted to have the province host this year’s joint Philippines-US Balikatan war games.

As of now, 16 out of the province’s 18 mayors favor a military exercise in Sulu.

Last Monday, six of the eight mayors from Sulu’s first district signed a manifesto asking President Arroyo to hold the military exercise in their province.

Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison said the 10 mayors from the second district, who had sent Mrs. Arroyo a similar manifesto last February, have remained firm on their stand that the Balikatan be held in Sulu.

"We believe that the approval by Her Excellency of the Balikatan in Sulu is a manifestation of your sincere desire to develop Sulu and to help improve our capability to cope with the deteriorating peace and order situation in our area," read the manifesto signed by the six mayors.

"It is our hope that the Balikatan will lay to rest the series of kidnapping, extortion and other terroristic activities in Sulu."

The mayors said they hope the Balikatan’s development component would help improve Sulu’s economic situation.

The manifesto, dated April 14, was signed by Tamrin Tulawie (Talipao), Khan Isnaji (Indanan), Nedra Burahan (Panglima Tahil), Ahmad Nanoh (Pangutaran), Norriya Ipah (Maimbung), and Hasir Hayudini (Patikul), all of the first district of Sulu.

It was not clear why the mayors of Jolo and Parang did not sign the manifesto.

Earlier, Sulu Gov. Yusop Jikiri said he would have to consult his constituents before deciding on whether to have the Balikatan held in his province.

Meanwhile, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said yesterday Sulu is the next target of the United States‚ and not Syria which borders Iraq.

"As we feared, the war in Iraq has made America an even bigger bully," said Bayan secretary-general Teodoro Casiño.

"The fighting isn’t even over yet, but Bush and company now want to revive their military campaign in Mindanao, which they declared the ‘second front’ after Afghanistan," he said.

"The Bush war machine wants to establish a stronger presence in this area because of its strategic economic and geopolitical importance to America’s self-imposed role as global cop."

Casiño said more than half of the world’s goods pass through Southeast Asia, and Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have vast reserves of oil and mineral resources, lush forests and marine wealth.

"The US also wants a listening post and jump-off point for its interventions in nearby Indonesia and Malaysia," he said.

"The decision of the Arroyo government to hold the Balikatan 03-1 exercises in Sulu despite earlier announcements to the contrary and despite stringent objections from Sulu residents reveals the ultimate price that our nation has to pay for Mrs. Arroyo’s fanatical support for the Bush regime’s global anti-terrorist crusade."

After giving her "all-out support to Bush’s warmongering in Afghanistan and Iraq," Mrs. Arroyo now finds herself being forced to allow the Americans to have their way in Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and the Zamboanga provinces, he added. – Roel Pareño, Romel Bagares