Sulu welcomes Balikatan 2007

JOLO, Sulu – Thousands of residents lined the roadside waving to US troops aboard heavy equipment as the Balikatan 07 exercise formally started yesterday in this predominantly Muslim province, known to be the hotbed of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the RP-US exercise marked the continuation of the unity and cooperation among the local government, Armed Forces and the US military in bringing peace and development in Sulu to totally defeat terrorism.

"Some would remember that they were cured of their lingering illnesses, some would dream they would see the cities of America because of the information they have gotten from the Internet established by the US in remote areas, and some now experienced a shorter travel time from places here because of the road improvement brought by the humanitarian mission," he said.

Cedo said the humanitarian projects are a manifestation of the US government’s desire to help promote the welfare of the people of Sulu.

"This is also a call for other groups, who espouse a different meaning for political and cultural revolution, associating it with violence and terror to join hands with the government and the Suluanos in their campaign for a peaceful revolution," he said.

Maj. John Redfield, US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) spokesman, said the hordes of people who greeted US troops were a positive sign for the development programs that the US government is introducing in the island in coordination with the Philippine government.

"There were no fanfares, but the people came out waving and they are interested to see development coming in their places," he said.

Sulu Gov. Benjamin Loong said the previous Balikatan was an inspiration and people were interested in the result of the humanitarian exercises.

"Before there used to be doubts and people were skeptics," he said. "But we have proven to them the positive effect of the humanitarian mission. The conduct of the Balikatan paves the way for peace and a progressive Sulu. The people are now reaping the fruits."

Meanwhile, Cedo said the offensive against the terrorists will continue side-by-side with the development approach.

"We have to sustain the operation and tire the terrorists out," he said.