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Sunday, August 26, 2007
US lawmakers call for more aid in south
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- American congressmen said Saturday they would seek more US aid to bolster the Philippines in its fight against terror groups following a visit to this strife-torn region.
The five-member, bilateral delegation, led by Texas Representative Silvestre Reyes met with US troops stationed here to help train local forces battling Muslim extremists with ties to the al-Qaeda terror network.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
They also met with Filipino military commanders and local officials and were briefed on the security situation in the region where Filipino soldiers are still in pursuit of Muslim extremist gunmen.
Asked about possible US cuts to its military aid to the Philippines, Representative Reyes said “if anything, we recommend that we expand the assistance and the support.”
“We are proud of the work being done here and more than that, we know that it’s an important part of the global effort that we need to make in protecting our allies and protecting the vital regions of the world,” he said.
“We are prepared to provide any assistance possible because we think a safe and secured Asian region, certainly the Philippines is part of this, is in the best interests of everyone,” Reyes added.
The arrival of the American legislators came just four days after a bomb, believed planted by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremist group, exploded in a square in Zamboanga City, injuring 14 people.
The delegation also expressed sympathy for scores of soldiers who have been killed in recent weeks in an upsurge of fighting with the Abu Sayyaf and their allies in the islands of Jolo and Basilan, just south of Zamboanga City.
Representative Gregory Meeks of New York praised Philippine-US links, saying the visit showed that “we have much more in common that brings us together.”
The poorly-equipped Philippine military has been hoping to receive more assistance from the United States in the face of increased conflict with Muslim extremists.
The Abu Sayyaf has been linked by both the US and Philippine intelligence agencies to al-Qaeda.
Maryland Representative Dutch Ruppersberger acknowledged how important RP-US relations is saying “there is not a better ally and we have good responsibility to the Philippines not only now but in our history, we’ve been together in war and in what we’re doing now.”
Meanwhile, the visiting US lawmakers denied move to re-establish US military bases in the country.
“It is not our intention to re-establish any US bases here,” Representative Reyes directly answered when asked about the possibility of re-opening US bases which will be established in Mindanao.
“We are here to learn and to tell you we want to work with you and we want to be part of the bright future that obviously you have settled a path to leave,” he said.
The US government has closed down its two military bases in the country, namely, Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval Base in Olongapo City in 1991 after the Senate of the Philippines voted against the extension of their stay.
Reyes said the intention of their visit is to continue to work together in the global war against terror, saying the long standing friendship between the US and Philippines, and which he describes as brotherhood between the two countries.
Reyes said they are committed to the long standing relationship and ready to provide any and all assistance possible to the Philippine government.
New Mexico Representative Heather Wilson said there is a strong support in the US Congress for the continuing relationship with the Philippines and “to provide assistance both financially and in partnership by meeting the needs that the Philippine government has identify like training support and logistics.”
Wilson said the relationship between the US and the Philippines is very valuable and worth strengthening.
President Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo earlier ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to end armed rebellion, Muslim secessionism, and terrorism by the end of her term in 2010.
“We will not back down from our efforts toward peace and progress in the country,” Arroyo said in her speech at the closing program of the local peace and security assembly in Central Visayas.
She said the AFP must “evolve a strategy of rapid conclusion to address armed rebellion with the National Security Council providing policy direction on communist insurgency, Muslim secessionism, and sheer terrorism.”
Arroyo said the AFP must be upgraded towards the acquisition of what it needs to win the war in the three fronts.
She said this is where the P5 billion AFP modernization fund in next year’s budget should go. (Sheila E. Covarrubias/VR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (August 26, 2007 issue)
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