Central Luzon officials now wary of US military presence

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — Local government officials in areas hosting Philippine-US military exercises in Central Luzon have become wary of US military presence in their localities amid the prevailing tension in North Korea and Iraq.

Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson III has suggested that such exercises be deferred until the US government has resolved these conflicts.

Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija has been hosting such exercises annually under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin also expressed some apprehension, although he said he is confident that President Arroyo would decide on deferring such exercises or not "according to the best interest of her fellow Capampangans."

Clark Field in Angeles, which used to be a US Air Force base, has also been a regular venue of joint military exercises.

Central Luzon folk have expressed fears that US military presence would expose the region to external aggression should the conflicts with Iraq and North Korea escalate into a full-blown war.

"We have no objection to the holding of Philippine-US military exercises in our province, but perhaps, it might be worth considering deferring such exercises in the meantime," Joson told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Joson, however, said the US military presence at Fort Magsaysay in Laur town has helped boost the livelihood opportunities of the local folk.

"We have not recorded any cases of violation of our women by the Americans here," he added.

But Joson said he does not favor allowing the US military to participate in combat operations against the New People’s Army, explaining that the insurgency problem "should remain a local problem."

Although Lazatin was less vocal against the US military presence at Clark amid the rising tension in Iraq and North Korea, he said, "Everything should be considered to protect the interests of Capampangans."

Last month, some 500 US marines joined the Balance Piston exercises here. Officials of the Presidential Commission on the VFA (VFACOM) said Balikatan exercises are again slated here and at Fort Magsaysay next month.