Senate, House visit US troops

Biazon, Cuenco, Fabian lead group

by Frencie L. Carreon

A delegation from the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives, along with some members of the Philippine Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Office of the City Mayor of Zamboanga, are arriving this morning to visit the soldiers of the United States Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTFP).

Leading the group of distinguished visitors are Senator Rodolfo Biazon, head of the Senate Panel, and Congressional Rep. Antonio Cuenco, Chairman of the House of Representatives' Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces of Agreement.

Zamboanga City's 2nd District solon Rep. Erico Basilio Fabian, Vice-Chairman of the said House Committee, will be sub-leading the group while Congressman Cuenco is not in the city yet. Cuenco arrives in a separate flight at 12 noon.

Fabian, in a phone interview said, that there will be at least nine from the Senate, at least nine from Congress to include Congressional Representatives Celeste, and Ablan, 4 others from the PCVFA led by Undersecretary Edilberto Adan, the present executive director, and 3 others from AFP.

Among the other members of the visiting delegation are (Ret.) Gen. Eduardo Cabanlig (Senior Staff), Ma. Antoniette Aristoza and Elpidio Calica (Committee Secretaries), Jimmy Gaviola, maria Christina Senen, and Mylene Ramos (Assisting Staff), Jocelyn dela Cruz and Maribel Mendoza (Stenographers), Roger Rigor, who is the Committee Secretary on National Defense, Jonah Villasante, Michelle Fernandez.

Also with the group are Maj. Niceforo Diaz Jr., Director for Operations of the PCVFA, and Sherryl Bernardo, Policy Researcher/Information Officer.

Mayor Celso Lobregat will also be with the group as host city mayor.

The visit of the national legislature's team and other officials are brought about by the issues raised by some groups concerning the stay of the US military in the Philippines.

As per 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippine and the United STates Governments have agreed to respond in the event of an amed attack by foreign forces in the metropolitan or island territories, armed forces, public vessels or aircraft of either country. In addition, it commits both parties, separately or jointly, by self-help and mutual aid, to maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.

The Visiting Forces Agreement, on the other hand, specifies some details which is on the treatment of the AMerican soldiers and defense personnel who would be visiting the Philippines to take part in activities covered by said 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty or those approved by the Philippine Government.