Do the US Forces need to go?

by Frencie L. Carreon

(Published in Zamboanga Today on 15 September 2008.)
Some sectors are now picking up on the issue on the stay of the American forces in the Philippines, particularly in Zamboanga City and Sulu—some making pronouncements armed with information, many armed with misinformation and lack of correct background, and others just making statements for the sake of grandstanding and political drama.
Years ago during the mayoralty of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lorenzo-Lobregat, we heard statements of unopposed welcome and support to the United States military, which had been offered an invitation from the Philippine Armed Forces to stay with temporary quarters in Camp Basilio Navarro, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.
Now officially named as the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, the US military has been deploying at least fifty soldiers to Zamboanga every three months. Some soldiers stay less, and a few stay longer, up to six months, and a handful (meaning, not numbering more than the number of fingers of a normal human being) like the key officers get to stay for a period ranging from 7 to 12 months.
Most (and that means a great majority) of the soldiers deployed in the Philippines are reportedly non-combatant, and this information has been affirmed by US military authorities themselves, as most of the US personnel sent to the Philippines are those involved in civilian assistance, civil and community relations, medical services, engineering, and humanitarian aid.
The stay of JSOTFP largely leans on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, where the Governments of the Philippines and America have jointly agreed that US soldiers will be stationed in the Philippines to assist our armed forces in the defense of the country’s security. (The US has a similar treaty with Japan, and agreements for support with other Southeast Asian nations.)
As it is, the American soldiers have not come on their own but have come and go because they have always been invited—not by personalities in the government, but by the provisions of the law itself.
The Visiting Forces Agreement more or less prescribes the ‘addendum’ allowing the U.S. government to retain jurisdiction over U.S. military personnel accused of committing crimes in the Philippines, unless the crimes are of "particular" importance to the Philippines. In effect, this ultimately means that for crimes without this significance, the U.S. can refuse to detain or arrest accused personnel, or may instead prosecute them under American jurisdiction. The same Agreement also exempts U.S. military personnel from visa and passport regulations in the Philippines. (Similarly, under ASEAN agreements, Southeast Asian nationals are also exempt from visa regulations within Southeast Asia.)
At this point, the question is, do the American forces need to leave?
Without much media fanfare, behind stories of publicity, the US military has given its all-out support to the Philippine armed forces in terms of logistics, equipment, and some monetary assistance. The US Government whether directly or through its US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other US government and non-government organizations, have responded to requests by the Philippine Government for aid in multiforms, foremost of which are in programs on peace and security, health, education, information technology, environment, livelihood and economy, trade, and infrastructure, among others.
Specifically, in Zamboanga City and Sulu, local businesses have benefitted in one way or the other from the presence of the US military. They just have been silent, as local contractors for protection and security do not reveal their business partners and clients. Gainful employment with wages beyond the prescribed minimum and other benefits have been received by many locals who had been and are engaged by these contractors.
Tourism in Zamboanga has been given a boost by the US presence, and these visitors have been trying to visit business establishments and go around government offices offering assistance in reaching out to the communities.
Those few who have seen what they have done and what they are doing can very well attest to the sincerity of their efforts, and being citizens of the most powerful country in the world, out here as the visiting donor and program supporter, one cannot just expect them to budge and bow out—not when they’re armed with a law and a strong Philippine national government support.
Right now, however, there are more pressing concerns that our local and national governments have to attend to, and these are addressing the immediate needs of the different communities. Driving out the US forces will not help solve poverty, security threats, education, and livelihood. And our political leaders are better off concerning themselves with people-focused issues.