US marines commander visits troops

ISABELA CITY — The top US marines general in the Pacific visited his forces in Basilan yesterday to inspect the progress of construction projects US military engineers are building in various parts of the island.

"Everybody understands the importance of the Philippines," said Lt. Gen. Wallace Gregson, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Japan. "We know that it’s a very difficult situation and we’re glad to help in any way that we can and we are proud to help."

Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu and Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapudin welcomed Gregson at the headquarters of the 103rd Army Brigade in Tabiawan town amid tight security.

The two officials offered thanks for road and port improvements, digging of water wells and clearing of an unused airstrip.

Gregson inspected a road project before meeting US officers in a Marine outpost that American soldiers have named "Camp John Bradley."

He said they discussed "other ways" that US marines could help the Special Forces but he did not elaborate.

"From what I’ve observed, not just on the visit here but what I heard since we originally sent people down here, is that everybody from the Special Operations Command and the marines... have performed very, very well."

Asked whether the US would deploy more troops for training, Gregson said "the Philippine government would have to decide."

While both the Philippines and the US expect the 10 projects to benefit Basilan residents, the US military has insisted that these are simply improvements meant to ease military movements.

The general said he also wanted to assess the progress of the 10 projects which are supposed to be finished within 60 days but have been delayed by bad weather.

Among the projects is a 60-kilometer portion of the Basilan circumferential road which will interconnect the towns of Maluso, Tipo-Tipo, Lamitan and Lantawan and form part of the province’s circumferential road network.

The road network includes the Tabiawan-Isabela City access road, the Kapatagan-Isabela access road, Mahayhay-Maluso road, Maluso-Tumahubong circumferential road, Tumahubong-Camp Uno circumferential road and the repair of two bridges in Maluso.

In Isabela, an abandoned private airstrip will be repaired, improved and widened to accommodate helicopters and C-130 cargo planes.

Piers will also be constructed at Tabiawan town near the headquarters of the Army’s 103rd Brigade and at Port Holland in Maluso while water wells will be drilled in strategic sites in Maluso and Camp Uno and other communities.