Joint wargames likely to be held in Moro territory

The North Cotabato governor has said that Philippine-US war games will most likely be held in Carmen town, a stronghold of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a telephone interview with Gulf News, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the group does not have any objections with the holding of the anti-terror war games. "We don't have any objections on the war games," he said.

"It would be better if the government would coordinate with us to avoid unnecessary incidents," he added.

Maj. Bartolome Bacarro, Southern Command spokesman, said US Special Forces would also train Filipino troops in Zamboanga City this month as part of this year's US-Philippines military exercise.

The training will include members of the Philippine Army's Light Infantry Battalion, he said. The exercise will include sea, air and land training modules and will cover many areas and terrain types in the strife-torn region, where New People's Army rebels are also active.

Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero, Armed Forces information chief, said they would wait for the go-signal of RP-US Mutual Defence Board before they announce the exact location.

Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko earlier said the war games could be held in Jolo and Tawi-Tawi islands, where the Abu Sayyaf is known to operate.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday announced the activities in the training exercise.

The AFP said selected Philippine Navy personnel will participate in the projected Fusion Piston exercise in the second and third weeks of July.