Aside from Sulu, the joint military exercise will also be held simultaneously in Cebu and certain parts of Luzon.
"The exercise demonstrates US resolve, consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement, to train, advise and assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)," read a fact sheet released by the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P).
The joint exercise "will inject thousands of US dollars into the Sulu economy in the purchase of local supplies, contracted services and other exercise-related expenditures," the fact sheet read.
Some 5,500 US military personnel and 2,800 Filipino soldiers are to take part in the joint exercises all over the country, with the aim of improving "inter-operability" between the allies.
Approximately 150 Filipino soldiers and 250 American troops will conduct multiple medical, dental, veterinary and engineering civic action projects in Sulu under the Project Bayanihan, an agreement under the Mutual Defense Treaty that provides the framework for humanitarian and civic action programs in Mindanao.
The fact sheet said ongoing Bayanihan activities would continue after BK 2006 through the efforts of the AFP’s Southern Command, the US joint task force, and non-profit organizations.
Troops from the Southern Command, members of the US joint task force, and local volunteers have conducted a medical civic action program (MEDCAP) and humanitarian mission for the first time in the town of Indanan in Sulu last Jan. 15.
The MEDCAP was held at a local elementary school under the umbrella of Project Bayanihan, according to a press release issued by the task force.
"Our goal here is to provide capacity building to the AFP, conduct together civil military operations in conflict-affected areas and provide a secure environment so that development and social progress can occur," JSOTF-P commander Col. James Linder said.
"With our civilian agency and non-governmental organization partners, we want to show the people of Sulu a development alternative to the all-too-prevalent lawlessness and violence," he added.
AFP and US armed forces medics treated 750 patients, 150 of whom underwent dental surgery. They distributed more than $10,000 worth of prescription drugs and preventive care supplies that included dental care items, vitamins and education kits.
Indanan, a known stronghold of Abu Sayyaf bandits, has a population of approximately 55,000 with very limited access to rudimentary medical services.
Other humanitarian missions, which involve about 50 US personnel, are also set to take place in Sulu during the next few weeks: Panamao on Feb. 22, Tiptipon on Feb. 23, Jolo City from Feb. 25 to 27, and Maimbung from March 1 to 2. More than $10,000 in medical and humanitarian supplies will be distributed at each mission.
About 200 American troops, working with Filipino soldiers and local volunteers, will construct new school buildings at Sulu High School, Tiptipon High School, and Maimbung High School from Feb. 1 to March 2.
Meanwhile, three members of the bandit group Abu Sayyaf, alarmed by the scheduled arrival of US troops for BK 2006, turned themselves in last week.
The three men — Mansul Nusuri Abdul, Julpadal Nusuri Bandih, and Amin Julhari Jahad — also surrendered two M-16 Armalite rifles and ammunition, according to anti-terror Task Force Comet chief Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo. The voluntary surrender of the three self-confessed Abu Sayyaf members to officers of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 in Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul was kept under wraps pending their tactical interrogation.
They were involved in the abduction of businessman Ramon Inoferio in November 2004 and a series of encounters with government troops.
The Abu Sayyaf is the only remaining overt threat to the security of the American troops after the Jolo faction of the Moro National Liberation Front pledged not to disrupt the exercise and offered to provide security for the Americans.
Abu Sayyaf leader Khaddafy Janjalani, who is on Washington’s list of wanted terrorists, may have fled to Jolo with his men late last year to escape a months-long military offensive in nearby Maguindanao province, according to security officials monitoring his movement.
Marine Brig. Gen. Ben Dolorfino said the military is trying to confirm reports of Janjalani’s presence there.
Two other security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were strong indications that Janjalani had joined the group of guerrillas led by Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed militant hiding in Jolo’s rainforest near Patikul.
Security for the Americans during the drills has been a nagging concern in Jolo, considered a no-man’s land because of a surfeit of unlicensed guns, frequent bloodshed and a bitter history with US forces.
Muslim villages in Jolo oppose the drills. Locals still talk about a violent campaign to quell native islanders resisting US rule in the early 1900s. — With Roel Pareño, AP, AFP