Tuesday, October 17, 2006
American soldiers free to roam around RP during training: US military
THE movement of US forces taking part in two military exercises with their Filipino counterparts in the next few weeks in various parts of the country would not restricted, a US official said.
US exercise director Chester Jolley said there is no need to impose a curfew on around 5,000 American servicemen, noting that the scheduled training activities would keep the soldiers busy throughout the training period.
Questions on whether the activities of US soldiers participating in the training exercises dubbed as Talon Vision and Phiblex will be restricted arose after four US Marines were tried by a Makati City court for allegedly raping a Filipino woman inside the former US naval base in Subic in November last year. The court will come out with the verdict on the case next month.
Talon Vision and Phiblex formally opened Monday at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. US embassy chief of mission Paul Jones graced the opening ceremonies.
The other prominent officials present during the rites were Philippine Marine Corps commandant Nelson Allaga and Brigadier General Joseph Medina, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan.
"I for one, as I pilot, I need at least several hours of sleep before flying," said Jolley, the chief of staff of the 3rd Marines Expeditionary Force, referring to hectic schedules of the training exercise.
Nevertheless, Jolley said it would be up to the superiors of the soldiers who would be responsible to their men's activities, including rest and recreation. "It now depends on the ground commanders whether to enforce restrictions on their men," he said.
The training exercises would be held in various areas in Clark Field in Pampanga; Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite; Zambales, Nueva Ecija and in Palawan. Around 1,300 Filipino troops are taking part in the yearly exercises. (VR/Sunnex)
(October 17, 2006 issue)
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