USAID suspension in Mindanao over Smith custody feared

DAVAO CITY — The possible suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects in Mindanao was reportedly feared following the raging controversy over the custody of convicted rapist Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith after the Supreme Court’s upholding his transfer to the jurisdiction of the United States Embassy.

"There were already apprehensions that the USAID projects here in Mindanao would be suspended after the US Embassy earlier decided on suspending the annual Balikatan joint military exercises because of the Smith case," a highly reliable source told The STAR.

The USAID has been involved in multi-million dollar human resource, livelihood and even infrastructure projects through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program which started even in the early 1990s. These projects benefit mostly former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels who have cashed in on their crops now after giving up the armed struggle.

And on top of the ongoing projects under GEM and other similar programs, the US has also pledged to give an additional $30 million should a final peace agreement be signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The same source told The STAR that USAID and GEM officials already called up the US Embassy for advice as to the status of the ongoing projects in Mindanao with regard to the disagreements over the Smith custody issue as provided for, in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

But there were no instructions from US Embassy officials for such feared suspension of the Mindanao projects.

"It turned out that there was no basis for such apprehension of a possible suspension of the Mindanao projects and that these projects were not affected by the Smith custody case," The STAR source added.

Additionally, House Minority Leader Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said President Arroyo would have herself to blame should Smith be whisked off to America even in the midst of the raging controversy over his custody.

"She just has to make sure that Smith does not get out of the country or else it would cost her more political misfortune," Escudero said.

The opposition leader said the issue on Smith’s custody would haunt the President once the impeachment proceedings against her would again be raised later this year.

Smith was unceremoniously transferred to the custody of the US Embassy even if the Court of Appeals was still deliberating on the petition filed by both lawyers of both parties in the Subic rape case.

"Right now, we are again still within the prescribed period for the ban on filing another impeachment charges against her. But the Smith case could be one of those issues next time around," Escudero said.

The solon likewise pushed for the immediate review of the existing VFA between the Philippines and the US since it has been deemed a slap on the three branches of government as indicated in the outcome of the controversial Subic rape case.

Several sectors have pointed out the loopholes and grey areas in the VFA which opened the floodgates for debates in certain provisions of the agreement, including the issue on custody affecting the rape case.