US forces not engaged in combat operations in Sulu – AFP

By Ronron
August 15, 2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintained on Wednesday that US troops in Sulu are not engaged in combat operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other lawless elements.

AFP information chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told reporters yesterday at Camp Aguinaldo that US forces in the southern island province are part of the RP-US Joint Special Operations Task Force engaged in trainings and assistance activities.

“Definitely, they are not involved in any combat operations,” Bacarro said.

The Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign troops from engaging in actual combat operations in the country.

Bacarro said the US forces maintain their presence in the south as provided for by the Mutual Defense Treaty of both countries.

A media report that came out yesterday claims that US forces aboard a Humvee armored jeep were seen leading a military convoy in Indanan last Tuesday. The report said the convoy was part of the Philippine Marines’ mission to hunt for the ASG.

Bacarro belied the report, saying: “I was informed that the reason, the mission of those troops is that they are going to conduct sight survey for Balikatan sites, particularly where they could conduct humanitarian assistance and other activities.”

He said a sight survey is part of the planning for the 2008 Balikatan exercises of the Philippine and American forces.

“We identify what are the projects needed for a barangay so there can be costing projections,” explained Bacarro.

Bacarro was not aware how many American forces are in Sulu, but he said that their role is just to “provide technical intelligence, training and civil-military operations” in the island./DMS