[R-G] Philippine Lawmaker Alleges Illegal 'U.S. Bases' Being Built In Southern Philippines; Demands Probe

[Yoshie Furuhashi]

<http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008387825>
Philippine Lawmaker Alleges Illegal 'U.S. Bases' Being Built In
Southern Philippines; Demands Probe

September 2, 2007 11:16 a.m. EST

Komfie Manalo - AHN News Writer

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - Leftist Philippines lawmaker Crispin
Beltran issued a dare to the U.S. Embassy in Manila on Sunday. He
dared it to allow the Philippines Congress to conduct a fact-finding
mission in areas in southern Philippines where U.S. military bases
were reportedly being constructed. Beltran represents the Anakpawis
(Urgan Poor) party list.

Beltran accused the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Kristie
Kenney, of lying when she denied reports that Washington is building
military bases in the southern Philippines for its troops stationed in
the region.

The militant lawmaker said, "This is an outright lie on the part of
the U.S. Embassy and Ambassador [Kristie] Kenney. The only way we can
all settle this matter is for the U.S. to sanction and allow members
of an official fact-finding mission authorized by the House of
Representatives to conduct on-site inspections in the areas pinpointed
to be sites of U.S. military facility construction."

But before the embassy could accept the challenge, Beltran said he
strongly doubts if the U.S. embassy will accept it.

"Will the U.S. Embassy allow us this? Will they allow on-site
inspections, and will they surrender complete data and information
regarding the extent and coverage of the construction activities?" he
said.

"We all know that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) prohibits this,
but if the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. military command in the
Philippines waives this right to secrecy, on-site inspections can be
conducted and critics of U.S. military intervention in the country can
see for themselves whether or not the U.S. Embassy is telling the
truth or not," he added.

He added that he has already filed a House resolution seeking a
congressional probe into the reported construction of U.S. military
facilities in southern Philippines.

Another senior opposition senator, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel
also questioned the reports of U.S. military facilities under
construction under the guise of "temporary structures."

Building a foreign military structure is prohibited under the
Philippine constitution and the VFA signed between Washington and
Manila.

"The government cannot allow the setting up and maintenance of a
foreign military base in any part of the country. To allow any foreign
government to put up a military base here would contravene the
Constitution," Pimentel said.

Reports said the U.S. military has awarded a $14.4 million contract to
a private contractor to build "temporary structures" for U.S. forces
deployed in southern Philippines. The U.S. embassy and the Philippine
government deny the facility is permanent.

--
Yoshie