Sulu Sultan thanks US for continuing Balikatan
text & photo HADER GLANG

The influential Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun has expressed thanks to US government for its decision to proceed with joint military exercises with the Philippines.

Sultan Pulalun also expressed thanks to the Philippine government for complying the bilateral accord with Washington called the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which grants legal protection with American troops in the country.

“In behalf of my people, I express my deep thanks and gratitude to the US government for continuing the Balikatan. We can now move forward with fruitful cooperation and development projects in Sulu,” he said.

The US government canceled the annual Balikatan war exercises in the Philippines this year due to a dispute over custody of Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, who was ordered detained by Judge Benjamin Pozon in Makati jail after he was convicted of rape last December 4.

But Smith returned to custody of US Embassy late last week while his case is on appeal on orders of Philippine government. This set off a storm of criticism against President Arroyo’s administration, which said that the government had to make the decision to prevent a further deterioration of Manila’s ties with Washington.

The annual Balikatan exercises — which bring 3,000 to 5,000 U.S. servicemen to the Philippines — have helped train Filipino soldiers in counter-terrorism, particularly in the southern Philippines where Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants are active.

Meanwhile, Sultan Pulalun ordered his officials to arrange a meeting with a high-ranking US official, possibly with US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, to discuss how the Sultanate of Sulu could avail of development projects from the US government.

“We hope they will give attention to the area of Sultanate of Sulu, especially in Parang, Tapul, Siasi, and Lugus, the people there are very poor…they really need help,” he appealed.

At the height of Balikatan controversy last year, Sultan Pulalun initiated a pro-US rally in the heart of Jolo town in a show of support for Balikatan. He said he support the exercises because the intention is good and the Americans would build schools, hospitals, roads and bring medicines.