Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan on Wednesday thanked the US government for the holding of Balikatan exercises in the areas of the region, which will take place on February 18 until March 3.
“The entire autonomous region is thankful to the US government for their persistent conduct of humanitarian services especially to poor and remote areas of the region. But with proper consultation, we want respect," the ARMM governor said in a press release.
The provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are among the areas which the Philippine and US governments agreed to hold Balikatan 2008 simultaneously on Monday.
"I declare today that the leadership of the autonomous region is not against the presence of the Balikatan forces but I stress that they (US officials) should first conduct consultation on the stakeholders from the area,” Ampatuan said.
"It is fair and right that we will discuss these things to our constituents before its conduct so that the people will not be blinded aggrieved,” the ARMM governor emphasized.
A week ago, the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the autonomous region released a resolution stating opposition on the holding of Balikatan exercises in Lanao del Sur and Marawi City.
RLA speaker Paislain P. Tago, Al Haj, pointed that ‘there was no consultation made in the regional, provincial, municipal and city leaders before the final conduct of Balikatan.’
The Resolution No. 353 adopted on February 05, 2008 also underlined that the people of Lanao del Sur and Marawi city strictly adhere to their Islamic faith, culture and tradition thus they defy the conduct of the military exercise.
Ampatuan is hopeful that the national government would review the necessary protocol before the conduct of the Balikatan exercises for the welfare of the Bangsamoro people in the autonomous region.
Protests in Mindanao were staged by Muslims since early this month denouncing US President George Bush Jr. for sending US troops to their areas for a joint RP-US Balikatan military exercises.
The demonstrators symbolically ‘executed’ Bush effigy on stage and called on the US president to stop sending troops to Mindanao and Sulu.
They warned of more rallies are to be launched if they wont be heard by the government.
“The entire autonomous region is thankful to the US government for their persistent conduct of humanitarian services especially to poor and remote areas of the region. But with proper consultation, we want respect," the ARMM governor said in a press release.
The provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are among the areas which the Philippine and US governments agreed to hold Balikatan 2008 simultaneously on Monday.
"I declare today that the leadership of the autonomous region is not against the presence of the Balikatan forces but I stress that they (US officials) should first conduct consultation on the stakeholders from the area,” Ampatuan said.
"It is fair and right that we will discuss these things to our constituents before its conduct so that the people will not be blinded aggrieved,” the ARMM governor emphasized.
A week ago, the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the autonomous region released a resolution stating opposition on the holding of Balikatan exercises in Lanao del Sur and Marawi City.
RLA speaker Paislain P. Tago, Al Haj, pointed that ‘there was no consultation made in the regional, provincial, municipal and city leaders before the final conduct of Balikatan.’
The Resolution No. 353 adopted on February 05, 2008 also underlined that the people of Lanao del Sur and Marawi city strictly adhere to their Islamic faith, culture and tradition thus they defy the conduct of the military exercise.
Ampatuan is hopeful that the national government would review the necessary protocol before the conduct of the Balikatan exercises for the welfare of the Bangsamoro people in the autonomous region.
Protests in Mindanao were staged by Muslims since early this month denouncing US President George Bush Jr. for sending US troops to their areas for a joint RP-US Balikatan military exercises.
The demonstrators symbolically ‘executed’ Bush effigy on stage and called on the US president to stop sending troops to Mindanao and Sulu.
They warned of more rallies are to be launched if they wont be heard by the government.
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