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Sunday, February 23, 2003
RP feared to turn into killing fields
SENATOR Manuel Villar Jr. rejected the plan of US officials to allow American troops to battle the Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines, saying such a move may not be within the parameters set by the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Villar, chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations, said the security crisis in Mindanao is a local problem that must be addressed by our own military and not by any foreign group.
He warned such a plan would only worsen the volatile situation may even lead to a bloodbath in Mindanao.
We do not want Mindanao to turn into killing fields where innocent civilians would suffer, he said. A prolonged battle would only lead to starvation and malnutrition.
Villar reiterated that the intent of the RP-US Balikatan exercise was for US troops to transfer technology and expertise on military tactics to Filipino soldiers.
He said the active pursuit of the Muslim group by American troops would be contradictory to the goal of the Balikatan exercise.
He said the Senate would have to be more active in exercising its oversight function and ensure that national policies are followed.
Terrorism is a global concern. We respect the wisdom of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but we should stick to training and not allow foreign troops to fight our own battles or enemies, he said.
Villar raised the possibility that the car bombing in front of the Cotabato airport and the use of a suicide bomber in Kabacan may be a handwork of a group out to create a a scenario where the involvement of foreign troops can be justified.
He said the government should not be too hasty in accusing any group for the terrorist attacks in Mindanao, Citing the need for a thorough investigation into the matter.
While the MILF has denied its involvement in the new blasts, Villar said the group should not capitalize the situation to its advantage.
"The citizen must be spared from all these violent acts. Any group must not jeopardize the lives of innocent civilians in fighting for its ideology or principle", he said.
(February 23, 2003 issue)
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