US troops briefed extensively on RP culture

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga , PHilippines  – US embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson said US military personnel now in the country for joint RP-US Balikatan military exercises are allowed during their free time to venture into communities near the locations of their exercises to experience local culture, but they do so in “organized” groups.

In an interview with The STAR, Thompson said that thousands of US military personnel participating in Balikatan exercises were “briefed extensively” on Philippine culture and laws.

“Each of them act as ambassadors of friendship,“ she said, but added that while visiting local communities is permitted, the American troopers are expected to “be very much focused on Balikatan training and planning exercises.”

Senior Superintendent Pierre Bucsit, chief of the Angeles City police, admitted that some 100 US personnel based here for the Balikatan exercises were secured by about 50 local cops during their visit to the city’s entertainment area on Fields Avenue last Monday.

But Thompson expressed doubt that the American troops would have much free time for visits to communities near Balikatan venues.

“They have very busy schedules. There are more US personnel than their Filipino counterparts because they’re here to learn (from Filipinos),” she added.

During the formal opening of the Balikatan exercises the other day, some 6,000 participating US troops were told to behave after a controversial rape case involving a US Marine in one past Balikatan exercise at Subic in Zambales.

Brig. General Ronald Bailey, head of the war games for the US side, said his wards were to work side by side with their counterparts, mostly on humanitarian missions that would benefit impoverished areas in Luzon and the Bicol region.

He also said the US troops were told to “always respect the culture of this country” and behave themselves during their two-week stay. – Dinggoy Cabrera