Blackwater USA challenged on Philippines plans
By BILL SIZEMORE, The Virginian-Pilot
Blackwater USA's plans for expanding into the Philippines are generating controversy there.
A member of the Philippines Senate says he wants to investigate the private military company's actions to determine whether they violate the Asian nation's constitution or laws. The Moyock, N.C.-based company says its operations are legal and proper.
In a flurry of reports over the weekend in the Philippines media, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon was quoted as saying he will push for an investigation when Congress reconvenes in July. A former armed forces chief of staff, Biazon chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense.
Blackwater President Gary Jackson said last month that the fast-growing company plans to open an Asian branch on the site of the former U.S. naval base at Subic Bay to teach jungle survival skills.
Biazon said he has acquired a copy of Blackwater's agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which is developing the area as a commercial zone known as Subic Bay Freeport.
He said Blackwater is recruiting Filipinos for security work overseas at salaries of $1,700 to $5,000 a month.
Chris Taylor, a Blackwater vice president, blamed the controversy on "misinformation and confusion." Taylor said the company's agreement with the Subic Bay authority is not final.
"That facility is not open for business yet," he said, adding that Blackwater has "complied with everything we've been asked to comply with."
The planned training center and the recruitment of Filipinos for security work are separate issues, Taylor said.
Blackwater has federal contracts to provide security for U.S. officials and facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Philippines government has banned Filipinos from working in Iraq.
"We have not sent one Filipino to Iraq in violation of that ban," although other companies have, Taylor said.
He said Blackwater has hired about 20 Filipinos for security work in Afghanistan.
Blackwater USA's plans for expanding into the Philippines are generating controversy there.
A member of the Philippines Senate says he wants to investigate the private military company's actions to determine whether they violate the Asian nation's constitution or laws. The Moyock, N.C.-based company says its operations are legal and proper.
In a flurry of reports over the weekend in the Philippines media, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon was quoted as saying he will push for an investigation when Congress reconvenes in July. A former armed forces chief of staff, Biazon chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense.
Blackwater President Gary Jackson said last month that the fast-growing company plans to open an Asian branch on the site of the former U.S. naval base at Subic Bay to teach jungle survival skills.
Biazon said he has acquired a copy of Blackwater's agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which is developing the area as a commercial zone known as Subic Bay Freeport.
He said Blackwater is recruiting Filipinos for security work overseas at salaries of $1,700 to $5,000 a month.
Chris Taylor, a Blackwater vice president, blamed the controversy on "misinformation and confusion." Taylor said the company's agreement with the Subic Bay authority is not final.
"That facility is not open for business yet," he said, adding that Blackwater has "complied with everything we've been asked to comply with."
The planned training center and the recruitment of Filipinos for security work are separate issues, Taylor said.
Blackwater has federal contracts to provide security for U.S. officials and facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Philippines government has banned Filipinos from working in Iraq.
"We have not sent one Filipino to Iraq in violation of that ban," although other companies have, Taylor said.
He said Blackwater has hired about 20 Filipinos for security work in Afghanistan.
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
7:14 AM
3 Comments:
i'm an active military personnel, viewing from the way we soldiers and policemen live, i don't see why most of us would opt to be a mercenary. same hardship, same risks but higher pay and better future for our families. when lowly soldiers and policemen die in the field or streets, their families are left to starve. so with retirement, we've not enough sum of money to put up even a modest house at the age of 56, kung sabagay, kaya ako nagsundalo dahil sa hirap ng buhay, bakit kaya di ako mag-mercenary?
By
Anonymous, at 6/21/2006 10:51 PM
because of competitive employment and lack of it,i chose to become a soldier, yet it seems that even with the salary the government gives, it's not enough to raise a family.what we are receiving as enlisted personnels is what we call us "bachelor's fee". i think it better if our country will allow us to choose our means of employment, since we are fully aware of the dangers that will confront us,and it will be a much easier job because it's not our own race that we will pursue. it would be better for us to die in our line of work that provides us and our families financial securities, than here in our country that if something happened to you the families you left will be neglected by the government and just starve..where can you see a government negotatiating with the terrorists?..and for the record you may not hear it blatantly but if there is another uprise movement a lot of us will support it..so sen. biazon stop being a hypocrite, your only saying those because your already in the middle-class living..enough of the traditions and customs,only a few benefits from it, they are also the one's who are destroying it..
By
Anonymous, at 6/24/2006 12:04 PM
3/28/08- In a nation that has not been able to fully utilize the former U.S. Navy facility in Subic Bay in over seventeen years now; why in the hell would they turn down such an investment from a billion dollar company which could bring life to that region of Bataan again, and make it a world class training facility for S.E. Asia's Security profession. Why do hungry people turn away opportunity that feeds their extended families ?
By
Anonymous, at 3/28/2008 10:10 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home