As Balikatan Begins, Citizens’ Group to Probe US Military in Sulu

Alarmed by persistent reports that the US military is involved in combat
and is building military facilities in Mindanao and dismayed by the
government’s lack of transparency on the issue, a group of concerned
citizens will be going to Zamboanga City and Sulu just as the Balikatan
military exercises this February 18.

Called the Citizens’ Peace Watch, the group plans to meet with military
officials, government officials, local civil society groups and local
residents in the two provinces.

The group has written to top military and cabinet officials demanding that
they be allowed to inspect the facilities where US troops are staying and
working.

The group notes that the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines
has its headquarters inside Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City and has its
troops deployed in small teams all over Mindanao.

Acting on the US and Philippine governments admission that the unit is
constructing military facilities in Mindanao, the group hopes to find out
whether these facilities constitute military basing which is prohibited
under the Philippine constitution.

The group also plans to interview witnesses who can shed light on the claim
that US troops were involved in the massacre of innocent civilians in
Maimbung, Sulu last week.

The report of the group will be presented to members of Congress, in the
hope that an independent congressional inquiry can be conducted, as well as
to the general public.

As of 13 February, the Citizens Peace Watch will be composed of
representatives from the following civil society organizations: Moro Human
Rights Center, Anak Mindanao Party List, Akbayan Party List, Pinay Kilos
(PINK), Focus on the Global South, Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus , STOP the War
Coalition Philippines, Tulong Lupah Sug, Bangsamoro Women’s Foundation,
BANGSA Solidarity, Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement, Sumpay Mindanao, and
Alyansa ng Kabataan sa Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan, Bangsamoro Caucus, Task
Force Detainees of the Phils/Mindanao, Kilusan Pasa sa Pambansang
Demokrasya/Mindanao, Peace Women Partners., Muslim Women’s Organization

REFERENCE:
Corazon Fabros: +63-9178871153, corafabros2000@yahoo.com
FOR MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WHO WISH TO JOIN THE MISSION, PLEASE COORDINATE
with Cora Fabros ASAP.
THE GROUP WILL HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN ZAMBOANGA CITY
ON FEBRUARY 18, at 11:00AM SKYPARK HOTEL AND RESTAURANT,
German Tower, Tomas Claudio cor. Antonio Orendain St., Zamboanga City.

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