AFP: No need to adjust security for US troops

The Armed Forces sees no need to adjust security procedures for US troops in Mindanao following a shooting incident in Parang, Sulu last Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Armed Forces public affairs chief, said all the necessary security measures were taken when the incident happened, as proven by the lack of casualties.

“I believe the proper security measures were considered before the convoy moved, so there is really no need to adjust the movement of US troops in the area,” he said.

Torres said the convoy, composed of US and Filipino troops on board a Humvee, an M35 six-by-six truck and a V150 armored personnel carrier, was en route to conduct a survey on a joint project when it was fired at.

Judging from the attackers’ action, Torres said the incident was only meant to harass those in the convoy.

“They were able to fire back, forcing the attackers to withdraw after a few minutes,” he said.

The US has been maintaining some military personnel in the island provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu to help the military in its campaign against local terrorists and their foreign Jemaah Islamiyah cohorts.

The campaign has resulted in the killing of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani and spokesman Jainal Antel Sali alias Abu Solaiman.