Court to back war games, says Golez

National Security Adviser, Roilo Golez, yesterday expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will not agree to two lawyers who want to put an end to the joint military exercise between the Philippines and the U.S. in the country's war zones in southern Philippines.

"We have no doubt on the constitutionality and legality (of the Balikatan)," Golez said in a television interview. We are happy about the fact that the overwhelming majority of the Filipino people are supporting this," he added.

Lawyers Paulino Ersando and Arthur Lim, both former officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, asked the Supreme Court to call off the war games for lack of legal basis.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan, armed forces spokes-person, said the military is open to the U.S. proposed extension of the war games from six to 12 months. The extension was an option that "would be agreed upon" by the U.S. and the Philippine governments, he noted.

"This is an offer of assistance that the Philippine government accepts. If we accept offers, and both parties agree, then things will happen. It's up to us."

Brig. Gen. Adan confirmed the statement of U.S. charge d' affai-res, Robert Fitts, that four war games were scheduled this year.

Brig. Gen. Adan disputed Sen. Rodolfo Biazon's claim that U.S. military commanders were allowed to take unilateral actions without consultation with the Philippines commander, under the rules of engagement for the war games.

"According to the rules, the commander can only use minimum force to restore the situation, but can't pursue a hostile force outside the exercise area. He can't use deadly force in response to non-lethal threats and can't use warning shots," Brig. Gen. Adan clarified.

The same rules had been used for joint military exercises for the past 15 years, he explained.