Businessmen hail RP-US military exercises

COTABATO CITY — If certain sectors are opposed to the joint RP-US military exercises in Basilan, majority of businessmen in Central Mindanao are in favor of it, even looking forward to the putting up of US bases in the region.

"Their presence in Central Mindanao can spur economic activities in the area and will certainly accelerate the regeneration of our war-devastated economy, said trader Antonio Santos, governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the region.

Santos, owner of the city’s biggest hotel, said as part of the global business community, all sectors in the country should focus more on the "positive gains" of allowing US troops to stay in the Philippines.

"If they come to Central Mindanao, the local business climate will improve and, as a consequence, there will be employment for the people," Santos said.

In a random survey, 16 out of 19 Muslim professionals employed in various government offices told The STAR they are even in favor of the Armed Forces holding war exercises with US troops in Maguindanao, a known lair of kidnappers.

"They can both focus in neutralizing the Pentagon kidnapping syndicate as the objective for such joint military exercises," said one of the sources, who requested anonymity.

The Pentagon, led by Tahir Alonto, who carries a P5 million reward on his head, was tagged as behind the recent spate of kidnappings in the South including last year’s abduction of Italian priest Guissepe Pierantonie in Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur.

Members of the Pentagon snatched here last week physician Rosemarie Agustin, now reportedly being held captive at a marshy area in the border of this city and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.