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Monday, March 17, 2003
Army official denies ComVal Balikatan offer
THE Philippine Army 701st Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Rodolfo Obaniana denied reports he has recommended the realization of the controversial joint US-Philippines Balikatan military exercise in the province of Compostela Valley (ComVal).
He however admitted having welcomed the Balikatan exercises in the province because of the immense training and information they would learn from their American counterparts.
"We will learn a lot from them and maybe they will also learn a lot from us," Obaniana said.
ComVal Gov. Jose Caballero however, opposed the holding of the military exercise in his province.
He said Balikatan would only bring controversy in the province, which he could not afford now.
Caballero said that he will welcome US forces with open hands if they come to his province to help build bridges and schools rather than conduct war exercises.
Senator Rodolfo Biazon, on the other hand, said holding Balikatan exercises anywhere within the Philippine territory is not the issue.
"I do not raise the issue on venue, it can be held anywhere in the Philippines. What we need to define is the US troop's role in the exercises," he said.
Biazon said he suspects the government is soliciting the help of US combatant forces if Balikatan exercises are held in areas where there are armed skirmishes between government troops and separatist rebels or communist insurgents.
"Yan na nga ang nakakapagsuspetsa eh. Ano ba ang gusto nating ipagawa sa Amerikano? Gusto ba nating pati ang Amerikano ay lumaban na rin para sa ating bayan? Palagay ko ay hindi pwede yan dahil yan ay violation ng Constitution (Will US troops engage in direct armed combat? I think this would be a violation of the constitution)," he said.
Aside from ComVal, the local government of North Cotabato also wants Balikatan exercises in the province.
The Balikatan 03-1 exercises are presently being held in Sulu. BOT
(March 17, 2003 issue)
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