Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Philippines: Probe of US closure of hospital

This is from the Daily Tribune. It is events such as this that increase anti-US feeling in the Philippines--although there are plenty of retired US citizens living in the Philippines. However, Filipinos worry in particular about the US military. There are close relationships between the AFP and US armed forces and the US is providing aid in the "war on terror". The AFP investigating the matter may also be viewed with suspicion. The AFP is even more distrusted in the Philippines than politicians! Maybe Arroyo should do as Pakistan did with Bhutto's assassination and get Scotland Yard to investigate!


AFP to probe US troops’ closure of Sulu hospital



01/03/2008

The Philippine military yesterday said it is set to make a formal inquiry into the closure of a government hospital in Mindanao by Amercian soldiers providing counter-terrorist training to Filipino troops.

Armed US troops reportedly entered the hospital in Panamao on Jolo Island, Sulu province, in late November and ordered doctors to close it down every night, preventing them from treating patients.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the US forces have since apologized.

Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of military forces in Mindanao, stressed the command would “investigate the alleged





meddling of US forces in the operation of a hospital in Panamao.”

The result of the investigation shall serve as the basis in recommending the appropriate punishment to the guilty party or mediate the differences or misunder-standing between the parties involved if any,” he said.

The incident “had an adverse impact on the ongoing joint humanitarian efforts of the US forces and the armed forces of the Philippines” operating on Jolo and nearby islands, the AFP, in a statement, said.

Spokesmen for the US military forces in the South could not be reached for comment.

Local military officials have said the Americans might have wanted the hospital closed at night to prevent it becoming a launching pad for attacks on their nearby camp.

Jolo is a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants.

US Special Forces troops are providing training as well as intelligence to Filipino troops fighting the group, which has been blamed for the country’s worst terrorist attacks. AFP

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