Reported Blackwater in Subic to be investigated

Russia Today reports:

US military firm acts “against the Constitution of the Philippines”

http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com/search?q=blackwater

“A Blackwater subsidiary operates a five-acre facility in the Philippines where they can train up to one thousand military contractors… for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan,” says investigative journalist Wayne Madsen.

http://russiatoday.com/Politics/2009-08-28/us-military-firm-philippines.html#

Investigative Journalist and RT Contributor Wayne Madsen says that the Philippines has become a major base for the operating of one of the most controversial private military companies in the US: Blackwater. Blackwater, which is now known as 'Xe' is apparently training private contractors for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. Madsen explains why exactly these contractors are there and other US companies involved in similar matters.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPHGgOGL1Zg

Lawmakers wanted it investigated according to this inquirer report

Solons seek probe of Blackwater training

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez - INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Party list lawmakers want an investigation into reports US military contractor Blackwater (now Xe Services LLC) is training mercenaries at the Subic Bay free port in Olongapo City.

In filing House Resolution 1380, Bayan Muna party list Representatives Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares asked the committee on national defense and security to lead the inquiry.

“The alleged existence of the notorious Xe (formerly Blackwater) in Subic or any part of the country and its alleged recruitment and training of foreigners and Filipinos could violate our national sovereignty and our Constitution,” the lawmakers said in the resolution.

A video story posted August 28 on the Russia Today website, American investigative journalist Wayne Madsen claimed Satelles Solutions, had a “major operating base” for the Blackwater subsidiary in the alleged Subic facility that could train up to 1,000 operatives.

Blackwater, founded by a former US Navy Seal in North Carolina, has been denounced in some US media as being America’s “private army.” It does jobs for the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Interviewed on Russia Today, Madsen asked: “Who gave them permission? Apparently it’s against the Philippine Constitution to station foreign troops in the country ... someone is running around the Constitution of the Philippines. Obviously this is done with the permission of the president of the Philippines,” Madsen said.

He claimed the country was now a “major operating base” for the Blackwater subsidiary.

Madsen had alleged the Subic facility could train up to 1,000 operatives. He also claimed that other US companies linked to former US Vice President Dick Cheney had also opened a shooting range at the former Clark Air Base.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority administrator Armand Arreza denied this.

But Arreza admitted that Blackwater had submitted a proposal to set up a training facility in Subic three years ago. It was rejected, Arreza said, adding that “we want to develop the SBMA for commercial and industrial uses. We felt that the request went against our charter.”