Items stolen from US soldiers recovered

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 29): Items stolen from US soldiers recovered

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija -- Authorities have recovered all items stolen recently from four United States soldiers participating in the 2015 Baliakatan exercises inside this vast military reservation, the military reported on Wednesday.

The four U.S Army arrived at Fort Magsaysay last April 8, 2015 as the advance forces and billeted temporarily at building No.2 of the ERC Compound while awaiting for the whole contingent to arrive.

The U.S. Army contigents of BK15, include the Able Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team all from 25th Infantry Division.

In a statement made by Major General Glorioso V. Miranda AFP, Commander, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, he stressed that the incident happened during the arrival of the advance forces of the US Army Contingent for Balikatan 2015 when the security measures within the exercise area were being re-adjusted.

“The whole security measure of the camp is being readjusted to fit to the security requirement of the Balikatan Forces. It is sad to note that bad elements took advantage of the situation and grabbed the opportunity to steal the personal belongings of the U.S. Forces,” Miranda said.

“I would like to convey my message to all soldiers residing inside Fort Magsaysay that the security measure being implemented inside camp is part of the over-all security contingency to prevent same incident to happen in the near future. I would like you to understand that we are doing these security measures not only to protect the soldiers but also to help in the security of nearby barangays of bad elements,” he said.

Based on the report sent by the commanding officer of the military police of this command, a theft incident happened at around 1 a.m. , April 18 at Bldg. No. 1, ERC Compound, AARM, SOCOM Village, PA. Some personal belongings of US Balikatan 2015 contingent were reported stolen by unidentified perpetrators.

Among the items reported missing were one Samsung cellphone, one military boots, three rubber shoes, one wallet containing USA credit card, drivers' license, a U.S Army military ID, one pair of slipper, 2,150 US dollars and P2,000.

The military police personnel recovered the missing personal belongings at 12 p.m. April 18 and it was turned-over to Captain Wilson JONC, U.S Army last April 19.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=757267