A gun ban on RP-US troops?

Leftist activists have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to prohibit Filipino and American troops participating in an upcoming joint military exercises from carrying firearms because of the election gun ban.

The military dismissed the call, made by Pamalakaya.

"It’s already moot and academic," said Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero, the military’s spokesman. "We would like to recommend to the group of Pamalakaya to first research the details of the exercise before saying anything."

A gun ban is imposed during elections to avoid election-related violence and prevent unscrupulous politicians and their allies and supporters from coercing voters to give them their votes.

The Comelec issued a resolution in 2001 authorizing Filipino and US troops participating in the annual ‘Balikatan’ war games, Lucero said.

"We therefore recommend to Pamala-kaya and other cause-oriented groups to study their petition before submitting it to the Comelec since it’s already a decided issue," he said.

Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairman, called on Comelec chief Benjamin Abalos to issue an order barring the 2,600 US troops and 2,300 Filipino soldiers participating in this year’s joint exercises from carrying guns.

He said they should not be exempted from the prohibition.

President Arroyo will open the maneuvers tomorrow in Palawan. The two-week exercises will also be held in five other provinces across the country: Dingalan Bay in Aurora, the Philippine Marines’ Ternate base in Cavite, Fort Magsaysay army base in Nueva Ecija and Clark Field in Pampanga.

The Philippines and the United States have worked together in fighting both local and foreign Muslim extremists allegedly linked to such groups as Jemaah Islamiyah and the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

The 2001 exercise bolstered a Philippine military offensive that crippled the Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang in Basilan.

During his brief visit to Manila last October, US President George Bush praised the Philippines’ efforts to combat terrorism and pledge to help its long-time major ally.

Washington considers the Abu Sayyaf, the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, as terrorist organizations.

The Abu Sayyaf is notorious for abducting foreigners for ransom and while the Communist Party of the Philippines has been fighting an insurgency for over 30 years.

The group as well as Jemaah Islamiyah have been linked to al-Qaeda.