LOVFA assesses 10-year VFA: Celso talks on US mil presence in Zambo
Mayor Celso Lobregat was invited to share insights about the existence of US troops in Zamboanga during the hearing called by Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement (LOVFA) chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago at the Philippine Senate, August 27. The committee is currently reviewing the 10-year old VFA. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
Mayor Celso Lobregat recently met with the Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement (LOVFA) to discuss about the presence of US military troops in Zamboanga.
This, as the committee, chaired by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, reviews the 10-year old VFA in the country.
Answering queries posed by the LOVFA members, Lobregat said compared to the size of troops and facilities at the Subic and Clark in Pampanga years ago, the US military presence in Zamboanga are confined to the Philippine military camp at the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) in Upper Calarian.
He said the presence of the US troops here are mainly for the purpose of conducting civic actions and medical missions and other activities related to the on going RP-US military exercises locally known as Balikatan.
Lobregat was one of the key personalities invited to the LOVFA hearing at the Philippine Senate August 27, as the Santiago-led committee seeks to determine whether or not to recommend the termination of the agreement. Other officials invited to the hearing were Navy Vice Commander Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag, former Navy Lt. Senior Grade Nancy Gadian, Presidential Adviser Edilberto Adan and other representatives from different concerned agencies and sectors.
The committee during the hearing touched mostly on the legality of the stay of the American troops in the country, the Philippine Constitution and other issues related to the presence of the US forces.
Several months ago, the LOVFA members inspected the areas where the US troops are stationed in Zamboanga and these included the Westmincom headquarters, the Edwin Andrews Air Base and the Camp Enrile in Malagutay.
Several sectors have called for the termination of the VFA citing among others alleged violations of Philippine sovereignty under the Agreement.
On the other hand, Mayor Lobregat said Zamboanga City was one of the first local government units that openly supported the conduct of the RP-US military exercises in the city because of the numerous benefits it can give.
US forces have been closely coordinating with Philippine government agencies including the city government of Zamboanga in the conduct of humanitarian missions for the marginalized sector.
As a result of the VFA, the city is also a recipient of numerous infrastructure projects, computer units and interconnectivity facilities, books and many others, the mayor added. (Sheila Covarrubias)