Zamboanga City – Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco has asked the United States government for continued and stronger support for police and military forces in the city in its fight against terrorism.
The call was made in response to a question on what the message of Climaco to US President Barack Obama would be, in line with his state visit to the Philippines.
Climaco said that the US government through the Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) stationed here, should provide whatever support and services necessary to win the global fight against terrorism which is notable in this part of the country.
Climaco underscored the vital role played by the police and the military in the fight against terrorism by the US government, thus, the necessity for joint cooperation, patrol and coordination efforts, and supplemental services that can be provided by the US government subject to the provisions of the newly-signed defense agreement between the two governments.
Climaco made the statement after the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) Monday morning between the governments of the United States and the Philippines.
Zamboanga City has hosted the US-JSOTF since 2002 for its joint military exercises under the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Role of US troops should be clear
Meanwhile, Climaco has underscored the importance of knowing the role of US troops under the newly-signed EDCA.
Climaco made the statement in response to a query on a possibility of increased presence based on the new agreement signed between the two countries.
The Zamboanga mayor, however, said that the local government will rely on the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide the briefing as the agreement was made on the national level.
Climaco vowed to abide by the new defense pact and stressed the good coordination at present between the local government, the Joint Special Operations Task Force, and the Armed Forces in the city.
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