Olongapo braces for US troops visit

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines  – The city government is preparing a security plan for the Task Force Liberty, which was formed to prevent crimes that may involve US military personnel who are in furlough here.

Eight US military ships are expected to arrive at the Subic Bay Freeport zone until December and local officials believe the visit will boost the local economy. 

“Some members of the local police along with US servicemen will serve as shore patrol officers to monitor the entry and exit of motorists at the freeport,” Mayor Rolen Paulino said.

The task force is composed of representatives from the US naval authority, the local police, the Philippine Army Reserve Command, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Paulino said the shore patrollers would see to it that the American troops would not go to areas that are off limits for them.

“A command center would also be set up for easy coordination of incident reports concerning US military personnel. These security plans will only be implemented once the American troops are here,” he said.

Paulino said once the murder trial of US Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is over, he would expect more visits of US naval ships and military personnel in the city.