No more night-clubbing for GIs
There will be no more nightclub-hopping for US servicemen participating in the Balikatan training exercises.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said Wednesday that the US troops taking part in the Balikatan will have to follow a strict code of conduct to prevent “any incident of misbehavior.”
In December, Daniel Smith, a Marine who took part in the war games in 2005, was sentenced by a Makati City court to 40 years in prison for raping a Filipina in Subic, Olongapo. After spending several days at the city’s jail, Smith was transferred last week to the US Embassy in Manila.
“There is a long list of don’ts like no more nightclubbing,” Seguis said, adding that the US soldiers will have to return to barracks after every exercise.
He said the guidelines were a reiteration of those discussed in November 2005 immediately after Smith was charged with rape.
The US, which had suspended the training exercises with the Philippines until the dispute over Smith’s custody was settled, announced on Tuesday the war games would resume although no specific date had been set.
In an order issued to US personnel participating in the exercises, the head of Joint Task Force Balikatan ’06 listed the banned activities based on the VFA and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) of 2005.
The activities included the “solicitation of a prostitute or prostitutes.”
“Sexual conduct that violates that UCMJ will be investigated promptly and appropriate action will be taken,” the order said.
It added: “Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines. . . . For these reasons, and for health and safety concerns, solicitation of a prostitute or prostitutes is strictly prohibited.”
The order also prohibits the “purchase, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, except when specifically authorized by the commander of the Joint Task Force.”
Balikatan participants are also not authorized to “rent or operate a civilian passenger vehicle of any kind for personal use.”
Militant groups renewed the call for President Arroyo’s ouster following her admission that the transfer of Smith had her blessing.
The women’s group Gabriela said Mrs. Arroyo has betrayed the people again.
“Shame on GMA [the President’s initials] for attempting to deceive the Filipino people into thinking that the escape of Smith through her treacherous act is for the best interest of the people. And with her administration’s pathetic attempts to cover up such blatant disrespect to our Constitution, GMA has overlooked that what has become at stake is her own security to grip of power,” said Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela’s secretary-general.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said Smith’s transfer was in accordance with the ruling of Makati Judge Benjamin Pozon.
The DILG also formed a five-man team headed by undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus that will regularly check if Smith is still in the US Embassy.
Puno said Smith would stay at his detention cell until the Supreme Court handed down its final verdict.
Protesters have been holding rallies in front of the US Embassy. Matthew Lussenhop, the embassy spokesman, said in a telephone interview the protests were part of the democratic process.
“We don’t have anything to say about it, it is democracy and people are free to protest and express their opinions,” he said.
--Francis Earl A. Cueto and Jefferson Antiporda -- Manila Times
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said Wednesday that the US troops taking part in the Balikatan will have to follow a strict code of conduct to prevent “any incident of misbehavior.”
In December, Daniel Smith, a Marine who took part in the war games in 2005, was sentenced by a Makati City court to 40 years in prison for raping a Filipina in Subic, Olongapo. After spending several days at the city’s jail, Smith was transferred last week to the US Embassy in Manila.
“There is a long list of don’ts like no more nightclubbing,” Seguis said, adding that the US soldiers will have to return to barracks after every exercise.
He said the guidelines were a reiteration of those discussed in November 2005 immediately after Smith was charged with rape.
The US, which had suspended the training exercises with the Philippines until the dispute over Smith’s custody was settled, announced on Tuesday the war games would resume although no specific date had been set.
In an order issued to US personnel participating in the exercises, the head of Joint Task Force Balikatan ’06 listed the banned activities based on the VFA and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) of 2005.
The activities included the “solicitation of a prostitute or prostitutes.”
“Sexual conduct that violates that UCMJ will be investigated promptly and appropriate action will be taken,” the order said.
It added: “Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines. . . . For these reasons, and for health and safety concerns, solicitation of a prostitute or prostitutes is strictly prohibited.”
The order also prohibits the “purchase, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, except when specifically authorized by the commander of the Joint Task Force.”
Balikatan participants are also not authorized to “rent or operate a civilian passenger vehicle of any kind for personal use.”
Militant groups renewed the call for President Arroyo’s ouster following her admission that the transfer of Smith had her blessing.
The women’s group Gabriela said Mrs. Arroyo has betrayed the people again.
“Shame on GMA [the President’s initials] for attempting to deceive the Filipino people into thinking that the escape of Smith through her treacherous act is for the best interest of the people. And with her administration’s pathetic attempts to cover up such blatant disrespect to our Constitution, GMA has overlooked that what has become at stake is her own security to grip of power,” said Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela’s secretary-general.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said Smith’s transfer was in accordance with the ruling of Makati Judge Benjamin Pozon.
The DILG also formed a five-man team headed by undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus that will regularly check if Smith is still in the US Embassy.
Puno said Smith would stay at his detention cell until the Supreme Court handed down its final verdict.
Protesters have been holding rallies in front of the US Embassy. Matthew Lussenhop, the embassy spokesman, said in a telephone interview the protests were part of the democratic process.
“We don’t have anything to say about it, it is democracy and people are free to protest and express their opinions,” he said.
--Francis Earl A. Cueto and Jefferson Antiporda -- Manila Times
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
5:13 PM
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