Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo favors the extension of the Philippine-US jointmilitary exercises in the south in spite of the controversy and opposition to the presence of American soldiers in the country.
The presence of American forces in the south has "drawn more development and positive feedback on the present situation of Mindanao," Philippine national newspaper Today quoted the president as saying Tuesday.
U.S. military officials in Zamboanga confirmed on Monday that they have requested an additional 600 troops to conduct "engineering works" in Basilan island, the focus of a series of military exercises coded Balikatan 02-1.
Cynthia Terramae, spokesperson for the US Contingent of the Balikatan 02-01, said the proposal has been submitted to higher headquarters. Contradicting the early reports that the Americans only want 300 additional troops, Terramae said 600 soldiers are needed to "repair and construct" infrastructures in Basilan.
Arroyo said, "The Americans have been of much help during theirstay in Zamboanga and Basilan. I believe that if they stay longer,they can help even more people." The Americans have 30 pending infrastructure projects in Basilan, including the construction of roads like the Basilan circumferential road, she added.
"They (the American soldiers) are there not to bring war but development - the people should understand that," Arroyo said.
However, a separate report here quoted residents of Sumisip town in Basilan as complaining that the American troops have been repairing and extending an old airstrip there for possible military use.
Plans of sending additional US troops to Basilan have raised constitutional questions. The Philippine Constitution bans the basing of foreign troops in the country, the report said.
Some 660 American soldiers including 160 special forces are joining thousands of Filipino troops in the Balikatan 02-1, targeting at the Abu Sayyaf group which is still holding an American couple and a Filipino nurse. Basilan is a major lair of the kidnap-for-ransom group.
(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2002)
