Palparan calls Melo Commission report “wrong” and Alston’s “shallow”

By Ronron
February 23, 2007

Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. said Friday that the reports of the Melo Commission and United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings Prof. Philip Alston are “wrong” and “shallow,” respectively.

In a phone interview with Camp Aguinaldo reporters, Palparan said he never ordered the killings of civilians, as reported by the Melo Commission, but merely threatened them.

“I was just scaring the people who are suffering because of the NPA (New People’s Army), who are being used by the NPA against us… My statement was, I was talking to a group of supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – NPA, who are giving money, food, shelter and those spying against us. I told them that my order to my soldiers is that if they are certain that there are armed rebels in the house or yards, shoot them… It will just be too bad if victims are killed in the process… And I suspected that my words would reach the NPA in nearby hinterlands. So this is psychological warfare,” Palparan explained.

He expressed dismay that the Melo Commission took his statements to the media and those of his critics as though they were facts, and were even used as basis for their conclusions.

“The Melo Commission and some people in government perhaps are thinking that the militant’s outcry or their complaints are part of public opinion. It’s not public opinion. These are just a few people (accusing us),” the retired Army officer said.

Palparan said the Melo Commission did not even investigate the allegations on their own. “They have not done their job actually,” he said, thus, “their output is a re-echo of the enemy’s propaganda.”

“The Melo Commission Report is totally false because their report has no basis… Most of my statements were misinterpreted, taken out of context or intentionally reinvented,” he added.

Palparan said he could only hope that as the Melo Commission extends its probe for a few months, its members will come up with definite findings “so that people who are responsible must be held responsible and those who are not involved and implicated will be cleared.”

As for Alston, Palparan was slightly forgiving, saying that the envoy was constrained by time, having only 10 days to spend in the country.

“You can not blame him because he received shallow reports of the militants, and then asked around other sources like the military,” Palparan said of Alston.

But, he suspected that Alston already has pre-conceived conclusions after receiving the militants’ reports, even before he got the military’s version of the story.

“In 10 days, you cannot have an in-depth or very sound conclusion or analysis. But, immediately, after 10 days, he already has a conclusion so his report also has no basis,” Palparan said.

But, despite the negative findings against the military, Palparan said he is still willing to face any investigation on extrajudicial killings.

When Palparan bowed down from the active service in September last year, he brought along the reputation of being the number one violator of human rights in the country, having allegedly ordered the killing of several members of militant organizations in the areas where he had been assigned, like in Mindoro, in Eastern Visayas, and in Central Luzon./DMS

No additional financial support for “teeth” in RP anti-terror campaign

By Ronron
February 23, 2007

An official of the Philippines’s Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF) admitted on Friday that there is no additional budget for law enforcement and security agencies once the anti-terror bill is enacted into law a few months from now.

ATTF Director for Legal, Public Information and Advocacy Ricardo Blancaflor, also the Defense Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Special Concerns, told the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) at the Manila Hotel that the proposed “Human Security Act of 2007” awaiting the signature of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has no provision for additional funding.

This, despite the authorities’ euphoria over the passage of the bill by both Houses of Congress since the legislative measure is expected to give “teeth” to the government’s drive against terrorists.

“There is no provision (in the proposed bill) for additional funding,” Blancaflor said at the FOCAP Forum.

This would mean that despite additional work, especially on the surveillance aspect, in the implementation of the law, law enforcers and security forces will have to make do with what it regularly receives from their annual budget, said Blancaflor.

“But it’s up to the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) to create policies for (the creation of) additional structures. What is important is we need a permanent office to address (terrorism),” Blancaflor said.

The creation of ATC is provided for under Sections 53 and 54 of the proposed bill. It will be chaired by the Executive Secretary and vice-chaired by the Justice Secretary, while the Secretaries of the departments of Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Interior and Local Government, and Finance, and the National Security Adviser will be the members. The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) shall be the Secretariat of the Council.

Blancaflor said though that there is no need to recruit additional members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to carry out anti-terrorism operations since what is basically addressed by the proposed law is the system.

“I don’t think there will be an increase in the manpower. We will just improve the system,” he said.

The help of Philippine allies like the United States and Australia in its counter-terrorism efforts is also expected to complement the measure, he added.

“This law in the long run will help prevent some of the attacks… and in decreasing the capabilities of terrorist organizations,” Blancaflor said.

In fact, he described the present environment as “safer” compared to the previous years, starting the December 30, 2000 bombings in Metro Manila.

And this he credited to the anti-terrorism efforts of the government, led by the ATTF, since the latter’s creation in March 2004.

Blancaflor revealed that the ATTF-led efforts have already resulted to 23 convictions in court of terrorists, and 267 neutralizations, even without an anti-terrorism law.

“If local terrorism is addressed significantly in this law in the next year or so, there would be a very drastic drop in the threat,” he said.

Quoting the passed bill, Blancaflor said the new law is expected to be in effect in July of this year after the Arroyo signs it./DMS

AFP chides Alston, Melo Commission for attributing killings to them

By Ronron
February 22, 2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday chided the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial Killings and the Melo Commission for attributing to it most of the killings of political activists and newsmen even if it has submitted evidence against it.

In a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. denied Professor Philip Alston’s allegation that the Philippine military is in denial of the extrajudicial killings, saying that in fact the organization has taken action to educate its officers and men about respect and upholding human rights.

“We must say that from the very beginning, we have condemned repeatedly in the strongest terms the unexplained killings of activists and journalists. We have given directives to our commanders on the field to submit themselves to any investigations or to present their men who have been accused to such investigative groups, investigative agencies. And so, how could we be in a state of denial?” said Esperon.

On the other hand, he said maybe it is Alston who is in a state of denial since “he probably refuses to believe that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) could perpetrate such killings.”

“I have the feeling that he was not so enthusiastic when I submitted to him the 1,227 liquidations by the (NPA)… He said in his report that the 1,227 liquidations cannot be given credence because the (NPA) did not claim responsibility for them. Of course, they will not claim responsibility for them,” Esperon said.

He said Alston has no authority to question the military’s counter-insurgency strategy, which supposedly fosters more extrajudicial killings, since Alston has admitted “he has been here for the first time (only) and he has (only) stayed here for the last 10 days.”

“We have been fighting this insurgency for 39 years against the communists. And I have been fighting it for the last 33 years. I will not even claim expertise on the matter… So, I don’t know if Mr. Alston’s experience on insurgency is that extensive. Probably, if we both will take a quiz on insurgency, I will compete against him,” the military chief said.

As regards the Melo Commission Report, Esperon complained that “right at the beginning, the Commission concluded that the victims of this killings were almost entirely members of activist groups,” and that the NPA is “not into purging their own ranks.”

“My question now is what happened to our submission of a list of 1,227 liquidations perpetrated by the (NPA)? Were these victims categorized as members of activist organizations? … May we ask what happened to the document that we submitted, which mentioned OPLAN Bushfire, a document that was captures on May 22, 2006 in Tagkawayan, Quezon, which detailed the plans of the (NPA) as directed by their Central Committee to eliminate their enemies within the ranks so that these will be blamed on government, on the military?” said Esperon.

He also hit the refusal of human rights advocate group Karapatan to face the Melo Commission despite several invitations, when in fact it is the main accuser against the military.

“If indeed they were the complainant, then why did they not appear before the Melo Commission? Secondly, why did they prevent the families of alleged victims to testify before the Melo Commission?” Esperon asked.

To discredit Karapatan, which, he said, obviously was only raising the allegations for propaganda purposes, Esperon presented to the media two persons whom Karapatan listed as among those killed in the alleged 783 cases of extrajudicial killings since 2001.

They were identified as Renato Bugtong from Batangas and Edwin Mascariñas from Mindoro Occidental.

“Thank God, you are alive, unlike what Karapatan reported that you were both killed by the military. Thanks a lot that you showed up and appeared before us,” Esperon said as he welcomed the two.

He also continued to defend retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. from so many allegations of human rights violations, saying no formal complaint was filed against Palparan and no evidence was presented against him.

Esperon revealed he had subjected Palparan to informal and counter-intelligence investigations whenever an incident happens in his area of responsibility, but came out clean due to lack of evidence against him.

The AFP chief reiterated that even before the Melo Commission started its investigation in August last year and the arrival early this month of Alston in the Philippines, the military organization has already promoted the protection of human rights by its officers and men.

He said that in 1992, the entire AFP was subjected to indoctrination on human rights and the international humanitarian law. Then, last January 6th, he required field commanders to submit to him special reports on high profile killings and unexplained killings inn their areas of responsibility. He followed it up with the assignment of Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino, the chief of the AFP Civil Relations Service, as a permanent member of the Philippine National Police’ (PNP) Task Force USIG, and then with the activation of the AFP Human Rights Office last February 1st.

“Let me reiterate that the (AFP) will cooperate with all investigations… I must express confidence that we appreciate the fact that the Melo Commission will continue with its investigations… We hope that we could get to the bottom of all these things,” Esperon said.

He also thanked Alston “because his coming here has given us another inspiration to uphold human rights.”

For the first time, Esperon reminded soldiers on the field to recognize and respect the legal organizations that, to a certain degree, espouse communism. This, after showing a video clip showing CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison identifying sometime in 1987 Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Gabriela Women’s Alliance, League of Filipino Students, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and KADENA, among others, as among the legal democratic fronts or organizations of the CPP.

“I would like to give a caveat, a warning, and a reminder especially to our soldiers that there are organizations, legal organizations that have been mentioned. (But) what we are going after are the underground organizations that are actually supporting or propping up these legal organizations,” Esperon said.

He was quick to clarify, however, that this does not mean that the soldiers in the field have been targeting members of the legal organizations.

Denying Alston and the Melo Commission’s statements against the AFP as damaging to the organization, Esperon said they have no recourse but to “just go steady” and fulfill their mission, particularly against the insurgency problem, which, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants wiped out in 2010 when she ends her term.

“That’s the way to go. We can’t stop from performing our mandate,” he said.

He assured that the officers and soldiers in the field will not react violently against the comments of Alston and the Melo Commission since they know the real situation.

“We are all on the same boat. We want to improve on human rights. There will be no violent reaction because it is only proper to talk about human rights,” Esperon said./DMS

Two NPA rebels killed in clash in Camarines Sur

By Ronron
February 21, 2007

Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter Wednesday afternoon in Camarines Sur province.

Philippine Army spokesman Maj. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said the firefight took place at around 2pm at Barangay Aniog in Sangay town.

Quoting 902nd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Nestor Sadiarin, Torres said the 15-man team from the Philippine Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion were on combat operations when they encountered approximately 10 armed guerillas.

Recovered from the suspected rebels were two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, and one caliber 38 revolver.

“Additional troops are being inserted to pursue the fleeing communist terrorists,” Torres said.

The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla war in the countryside for almost 38 years now.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in June last year to crush the armed movement by 2010 when she ends her term.

Peace talks between the government and the NPA bogged down in August 2004 after the latter was tagged by foreign governments as a terrorist group, and its leaders as terrorists./DMS

Mindoro Oriental governor admits paying NPA once to campaign

By Ronron
February 21, 2007

Mindoro Oriental Governor Josephine Sato admitted on Wednesday that she once paid permit-to-campaign (PTC) fee to the New People’s Army (NPA) when she first joined politics in 1988 as a vice-gubernatorial candidate.

In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Sato said she gave P20,000 to the communist movement because this was the piece of advice to her by the local leaders then in her province to ensure her victory.

“I have to admit, when I first entered politics, I paid because that was what my leaders told me. But when I won, I began refusing to pay,” Sato said.

Sato revealed that in the past, the NPA has been very successful in extorting money from local candidates in the province that they in fact collect about P50 to P60 million for every election season.

The PTC fees, she said, are paid in cash, ranging from P20,000 to P500,00, or in kind, like ammunitions and laptop computers.

The Governor noted that when she stopped giving in to the NPA demands, she was ambushed twice, but survived, fortunately.

She also disclosed that those who do not pay the PTC fees will rally have a hard time penetrating the remote barangays that are under the influence of the NPA during the campaign period.

Sato revealed that in November or December last year, the local communist movement sent her another letter, seeking for a meeting with her to discuss most probably about the upcoming election season.

But she passed it on to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for their proper action.

“During this campaign period (for the local candidates), we foresee that there will be demands (from the NPA),” Sato said.

To counter this, she said all incumbent local leaders in the province, starting from her, down to the mayors of the 11 towns and city and their respective councilors have agreed not to give in to such demands.

“If you pay, you are subjugating yourself to a group that is fighting against the government, to which we are giving our services. So I call on all politicians to join us in this campaign,” Sato said.

According to Col. Mario Chan, commander of the Mindoro Oriental-based 204th Brigade of the Philippine Army, the NPA strength in said province is only about a hundred. But since they are armed, the rebels remain a threat.

Sato said that of the 162 barangays in Mindoro Oriental, only about nine or 10 are under the influence of the NPA./DMS

PNP, AFP raise alert ahead of People Power I anniversary

By Ronron
February 21, 2007

The national police and military raised its alert level on Wednesday ahead of the anniversary of the People Power I Revolution that toppled the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

The entire Philippine National Police (PNP) was placed on heightened alert effective 6am while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) went on red alert starting 8 am, officials said.

AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the military’s red alert status is meant to “make sure that we are prepared (to respond) just in case something happens.”

But he was quick to say that there is no current destabilization threat against the Arroyo government similar to an alleged coup plot last year by rebel officers and civil societies critical to the President.

“Traditionally, when we commemorate People Power, we go on red alert. This is one way to ensure that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is prepared… Right now, everything is normal. We have not received any information leading to activities such as coup d’ etat or any destabilization effort,” Bacarro said.

On February 24, 2006, some officers of the AFP allegedly planned to join the rallies at EDSA by some civilians critical to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to spark another bloodless revolt that hopes to unseat Arroyo. The plot was botched after the top AFP leadership prevailed upon the alleged coup plotters.

In his memorandum to all police regional directors, PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia said yesterday: “In this regard, you are directed to strengthen your security measures of vital installations, economic key points, places of convergence and other probable targets and intensify intelligence gathering/monitoring to preempt/thwart threat groups from taking advantage of the situation.”

Bacarro said once the commemoration of the EDSA 1 Revolution ends tomorrow, the situation will be assessed for the possible downgrading of the alert level./END

AFP briefs EU delegates on insurgency problem, extra-judicial killings

By Ronron
February 20, 2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) briefed on Tuesday the diplomats of the European Union (EU) regarding the insurgency problem and extra-judicial killings in the country.

This, after the EU responded to the Philippine government’s invitation to investigate the spate of extra-judicial killings in the country, which various groups, both local and international, describe to be already very alarming.

“They (EU delegates) were invited because, as you know, everyone wants a briefing on the results of the Melo Commission… So, we thought that maybe … we should give them an overview of the overall insurgency situation in the Philippines so that they’ll get this extra-judicial killings on the context of the whole,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo before the start of the closed-door meeting of the AFP top brass and the EU delegates at 3pm.

Ermita disclosed that the group was already briefed last week by the Melo Commission on the result of its investigation, and a copy of its report was going to be given to the group yesterday.

Ermita joined the briefing, as well as Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary on Special Concerns Rafael Seguis.

Leading the EU delegation was Papal Nuncio Fernando Filoni. Present were the envoys of the Vatican, Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Australia, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, New Zealand, the European Commission, Romania, and Canada.

The briefing was held at the AFP General Headquarters building Conference Room inside Camp Aguinaldo, and ended at 5:40 pm.

In a statement, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said there is a need to brief the EU delegates because the “the (AFP) has been the object of unfounded allegations raised by Karapatan of being the perpetrators behind the series of unexplained killings.”

He said yesterday’s briefing only shows the AFP’s commitment to “collaborate and cooperate with the ongoing inquiries, particularly on allegations that the Armed Forces is behind the series of unexplained killings.”

Ermita, who is a retired AFP general, said the EU has to be briefed on the insurgency problem in the Philippines so that any unexplained killing will not only be considered as an ordinary murder case, but possibly as part of the insurgency movement.

Maintaining innocence, Bacarro reiterated that the AFP does not condone such acts and has in fact taken actions to investigate internally said allegations.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation and we will spare no one, regardless of rank and position,” Bacarro quoted Esperon as saying.

The EU has yet to issue a statement after getting the AFP briefing./DMS

AFP welcomes passage of anti-terror bill at Congress

By Ronron
February 20, 2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed on Tuesday the passage by Congress of the anti-terrorism bill, saying it is a good start than having nothing at all.

“We certainly welcome the passage of the anti-terrorism bill in the bicameral committee of Congress. It’s an excellent starting point rather than having no anti-terrorism bill at all,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told reporters yesterday at Camp Aguinaldo.

“Just imagine, we have been subjected to the terrorist’s depredations, and yet we have no law, we have no specific law on terrorism. So, again, I must say, it’s an excellent start,” he said.

The military chief recalled that when the Philippines signed on the covenant against terrorism during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu last December, the country had no anti-terrorism law yet to boast of.

This, even as the Philippines has long declared its partnership with the US government in the latter’s global war on terror.

Told that the law could lead to abuses of the civil liberties of ordinary people, Esperon replied: “Well, in other countries, they could detain suspected terrorists for as long as 20 days. Our proposal initially was 15 days but it has been lowered to three days, with several safeguards, including a fine of P500,000 for every day that somebody is detained if he is proven not to be a terrorist.”

While he admits that that could be hard on the part of the military and other law enforcement agencies, Esperon said “it also tells us to be more efficient in identifying suspects before we grab them.”

The bicameral committee of Philippine Congress approved the anti-terrorism bill during its special session on Monday./DMS

Two killed, four wounded in fresh clash between ASG and AFP in Sulu

By Ronron
February 20, 2007

A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and a government soldier were killed in a fresh encounter late Monday evening between the ASG and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Sulu.

Military officials said four government troopers were also wounded in the firefight, which started at 10:30 pm at Barangay Tagbak, Indanan town, and lasted for an hour.

Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the Philippine Army’s First Scout Rangers Regiment, said the members of the Scout Rangers Company Class 163 were on a test mission when they encountered between 30 to 40 ASG members.

The rebels were believed to be under the command of ASG subleaders Isnilon Hapilon and Albader Parad.

Army spokesman Maj. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said the Scout Rangers were later reinforced by elements from the 2nd Scout Rangers Battalion and the 11th Light Armor Company.

Government troops recovered the body of the slain rebel whose identity is yet to be determined.

“Our troops believe they killed many bandits but they weren’t able to recover all the dead bodies due to darkness. Some may have already been buried by their retreating comrades,” Mapagu said in a phone interview.

Maj. Eugene Batara, spokesman of the AFP Western Mindanao Command, said the wounded troops were immediately brought to the Trauma Hospital at Camp Bautista inn Barangay Busbus, Jolo town for medical treatment, while the slain soldier was brought to Camp Asturias Station Hospital for proper disposition.

“The Army Scout Rangers continue to track and scour the encounter site as of (yesterday afternoon),” Torres said.

The AFP has beefed up its operations in Sulu, hoping to neutralize the ASG before the May 14 elections.

Earlier, the military scored against the terrorist group by killing its two top leaders, Khadaffy Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali, Jr., alias Abu Solaiman, in separate encounters in the said island province./DMS

RP-US Balikatan opens; American serviceman dies ahead

By Ronron
February 19, 2007

The annual RP-US Balikatan exercises was formally opened on Monday by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. in simple ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Exercise Directors Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino of the AFP and Maj. Gen. Stephen Douglas Tom of the US Army told a news conference after the opening program that approximately 400 American forces and 1,171 Filipino counterparts will participate in the activities, starting yesterday until March 4th.

Most of the participants though will take part in humanitarian projects, particularly medical and engineering missions in Mindanao, while a few others will take part in the Staff Exercise (STAFFEX), which will be held inside Camp Aguinaldo.

During the opening ceremony, US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney said that Balikatan 2007 will focus on the humanitarian assistance component of the exercises as against the field training exercises (FTX), noting the other kinds of FTX that happen within the year such as the Talon Vision.

The humanitarian civic action for this year’s Balikatan will last from yesterday until March 6th, while the STAFFEX will be held from February 19 to 27.

The former include medical, dental and veterinary missions in Lanao del Norte, Sulu, Zamboanga City, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato, and the engineering projects will be implemented in Sulu.

Approximately $300,000 will be spent by the US government for the humanitarian projects, with the following breakdown: $50,000 for medical mission; $150,000 for road renovations; $75,000 for building renovations; and, $25,000 for construction projects.

Tom said 390 American forces will participate in the humanitarian projects, and, Tolentino said, they will be secured by around 700 of the 1,171 Philippine participants.

The two officials maintained that the American soldiers will not be allowed to fire their guns unless needed for self-defense.

The STAFFEX, on the other hand, will focus on planning for maritime security that will be augmented by participants from the Western Mindanao Command, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police Maritime Command, and will be observed by representatives from Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

“This is the first time we have this type of maritime scenario… to make sure that both sides, the US side and the AFP side, practice their techniques and procedures so that if the crisis come for real, we will be able to inter-operate a lot, smoothly and effectively,” Tom explained.

In his speech during the opening program, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the shift in the focus for this year’s Balikatan to its socio-civic component only shows that both military forces and countries are adapting to the changing realities of the times.

He said that since there are many threats now other than terrorism, the “multi-dimensional” approach being carried out by countries to address them are only fitting.

“The partnership between the Philippines and the United States continues to be broad-based and multi-faceted, covering fresh avenues for greater cooperation. This new dimension in our collaborative efforts is reflected by the fact that this year’s version of the Balikatan exercises will focus on civic humanitarian missions, and not military exercises,” Romulo said.

In a related development, Tom confirmed yesterday the death of US Marine Corporal Timothy Lewis, 20, last Thursday in Sulu due to “cardiac arrest.”

Lewis was supposed to participate in the Balikatan exercises when he died, said Maj. John Redfield, public information officer of the RP-US Joint Special Operations Task Force based in Zamboanga City.

US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said Lewis had a heat stroke until he collapsed.

On the following day, his remains were flown back to Okinawa, Japan where his mother unit is based.

Asked if the American participants will be restricted for their rest and recreation activities to avoid similar incidents that involved US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith in November 2005, Tom replied: “What I would tell you is that the US expects its soldiers, Army and Marines, to conduct themselves at the highest standard of proper behavior. We have provided instructions, training to that extent … to be very good models of good behavior while they are here. So I am very, very confident that we will have all our US personnel conducting themselves properly, and we’ll have no incidences.”

Implying that rest and recreation activities will not be scrapped for the US servicemen, he said: “We want the US personnel to explore and understand the culture of the Philippines. And so what we will have and encourage is that organized tours and organized trips are in groups be instituted so that our soldiers can learn about the Philippines.”

Smith was convicted in December last year by a Makati City court for raping a Filipino woman in Subic, Olongapo City last November 1, 2005. He had just participated then in the RP-US Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercises./DMS