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U.S. Military Presence in Philippines Could Stir Conflicts
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| U.S. troops in Phlippines could stir conflict. |
Report by Kazi Mahmood
MANILLA, Jan. 8 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A Filipino lawmaker has urged the Arroyo government to define the extent of the role and limitations of U.S. military advisers in the country, pointing out that their presence could cause problems for the Philippines, news agencies reported Tuesday, January 8, 2002.
Filipino Opposition Representative, Ruffy Biazon, expressed fears that their (Americans) “participation in the battlefront” against the Abu Sayyaf group could fan the flames of a lingering conflict in the south, particularly in Mindanao.
Biazon said the government must explain “in full” the statement of Filipino Presidential spokesperson, Rigoberto Tiglao, that the U.S. military advisers would be allowed to go to the battlefield to fight the group.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the United States "might include direct support of Philippine military operations" against the group, which U.S. officials claim has links with Al-Qaeda. The report has been severely criticized.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said earlier the American advisers would also target them. Spokesman Eid Kabalu said the MILF has mobilized its men in anticipation of attacks by elite US troops.
Mid-level officers at the Southern Command and Armed Forces units in Basilan had confirmed that the training camp being set up by U.S. troops would be supervised by the 5th Special Forces Group (Green Beret), North Carolina.
AFP said the statement of the U.S. engagement against the Abu Sayyaf group was released by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz, who added that Philippine officials were "very anxious to do it themselves”.
“That's the crucial standard for them," Wolfowitz was quoted as saying in an interview published Tuesday. "They're very willing to take help within the framework of helping them help themselves."
The apparent failure by the Philippine army to release the remaining American hostages from the grip of Abu Sayyaf before Christmas has angered the U.S.
Government troops have failed to recover an American missionary couple, who have been held by Abu Sayyaf for the last eight months. They were abducted at a Palawan resort in May 2001.
The U.S. government has sent a team of military advisers to train local forces in pursuing the kidnappers.
The MILF said there was real concern that the U.S. might decide to attack its troops under guise of operations against suspected Al-Qaeda network.
The chairman of the Bangsamoro Consultative Council, Syed Abhoud Lingga, told IslamOnline late December 2001 that the U.S. must know how to differentiate between freedom fighters and terrorists.
He pointed out that the MILF was fighting for a legitimate cause and was not a terror organization. However, he added that there were fears that the U.S. might assist the Philippines to start fresh offensives against the
MILF.
Meanwhile, Biazon warned the U.S. advisers in the Philippines might be exposed to “unwanted direct contact” with resistance activists.
“Since they will be in the battlefront, there is a chance for them to be involved in a firefight and be compelled to defend themselves with their own firearms. That will definitely complicate matters,” he said.
Biazon made it clear that U.S. troop’s involvement in the fight against Abu Sayyaf might trigger a revolt in Mindanao.
“We do not want to wake up one day and suddenly realize that U.S. military forces are engaged in armed conflict with Abu Sayyaf,” the senator said.
“Therefore, the government should, as early as now, define the mission, the exact role and limitations of the U.S. military advisers, including their duration of stay in the Philippines.”
The presence of U.S. military advisers, according to Biazon, could push the country into becoming another Vietnam.
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