Sulu residents benefit from RP-US medical program

More than 1,500 residents of Parang town in Sulu received free medical and dental care from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Command, the United States military from the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF-P) and local volunteers at Parang’s first-ever Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) and humanitarian assistance mission recently.

Col. James Linder, commander of JSOTF-P, explains why the US military is in the Southern Philippines: "Our goals here are to provide capacity building to the AFP, together conduct activities in conflicted areas and provide a secure environment so that development and social progress can occur. With our civilian agency and non-government organization partners, we want to plant the seeds of economic growth and provide people with hope and alternatives to the violence and terrorism plaguing much of their region.

"Throughout this country, with the cooperation of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, we will continue to advise, assist and share information with our AFP counterparts to strengthen their hand in the global war on terrorism."

Collectively, the AFP and US military medics treated 1,550 medical and dental patients, and delivered free prescription drugs and preventive care supplies including dental care items, vitamins and education kits.

More than $15,000 worth of medical and humanitarian assistance supplies were distributed to Parang citizens.

Parang, a small town in Sulu has approximately 25,000 people who have only very limited access to rudimentary medical services.

"The MEDCAP was part of a series in the Mindanao and Sulu archipelagos that brings medical and dental care to populations in need. The MEDCAP provides the Philippine and US Armed Forces an opportunity to build on an excellent long-standing friendship and humanitarian assistance partnership," said Capt. Leo Liebreich, commander, Humanitarian Service Center, JSOTF-P.