Sulu to host ‘Balikatan 2006’

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Filipino and American troops are to begin a new round of military exercises dubbed "Balikatan 2006" in Sulu.

Filipino and American military officials said the exercise would involve Army troops and Marines and would start before the end of the month.

Armed Forces Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan said Filipino troops are ready to give security to American soldiers who will take part in the war exercises.

Col. James Linder, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines chief, said they are to receive several additional US forces that will come to Sulu, the scene of last year’s fighting between the military and the Abu Sayyaf.

"Balikatan will happen in the next couple of weeks," he said.

Linder said he could not give any figure on the number of American troops involved in the exercise dubbed "Critical Mission."

"They are predominantly engineers, doctors, instruction crews and things of that nature," he said of the US contingents that would be deployed in Sulu for the mission.

Linder said the military exercise in Sulu will be heavy on civil-military operations and humanitarian missions.

"No live fire will go on in that period," he said.

Linder allayed fears over the security of US soldiers since their initial missions under the "Bayanihan" exercises last year were warmly welcomed by Sulu residents.

"We got tremendous reception and warm regards from the people in every place we visited for the humanitarian mission," he said.

Linder defended the need for American soldiers to be armed, and justified their presence in many areas in Sulu.

"We certainly are military personnel, so it is not uncommon for us (to be carrying guns) somewhere in the island," he said in clarifying reports that US servicemen were seen near the conflict areas.

"And we are armed because there is a threat — it’s dangerous — that’s why we’re there to provide security for the people who live there," he said.

"There are a high degree of lawless elements — they carry weapons, they carry large weapons," Linder added.

Defense insiders disclosed that training would be conducted in a secured place.

However, they could not say if the training will be concentrated inside a military camp

Meanwhile, Adan said the Olongapo rape case against four US Marines will not imperil the forthcoming Balikatan in Sulu.

"Very clear ang mga rules d’yan, walang kinalaman ’yun dito sa mangyayari sa Mindanao (The rules are very clear., it has nothing to do with what is happening in Mindanao)," he said.

Adan said there is a process being followed in prosecuting the case filed by a Zamboangeña who alleged that she was raped by four American soldiers who took part in a military exercise in Olongapo City.

On the other hand, Linder would not comment on the case, saying he has no knowledge of it and that his mission in based in Mindanao.

The Abu Sayyaf has warned it would attack any US installation in the country. — Roel Pareño