US forces' pullout won't impact PH counterterrorism program - Army chief

From InterAksyon (10): US forces' pullout won't impact PH counterterrorism program - Army chief



American and Filipino troops disembark from a Black Hawk chopper in a Balikatan joint exercise. FILE PHOTO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

A pullout of American forces in the country will not adversely impact the campaign against Islamic terrorists, especially in Mindanao, according to Army chief Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, who once headed the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“Our counter-terrorism efforts would not be affected because this has already been in place in our organization. We have the an anti-terrorism council and anti-terrorism unit,” Año said.

He pointed to recent operations against the Maute Group, self-styled Islamic terrorists seeking to be allied with the Islamic State (IS), as clear indication of the government's resolve to wipe out the scourge of terrorism. Last Friday, authorities raided the house of one of three Maute Gang members tagged as the perpetrators of the Sept. 2, 2016 Davao City market blast that killed 15 people and injured 60 others. The three arrested suspects are among 10 alleged players in the market terror attack.

“We conducted operations against the Maute group and there was no contribution or participation of the US.There is no such thing as our anti-counter terrorism effort will be affected,” Año pointed out, by way of easing fears that the President's declared intent to send home US special forces in the country might impact some defense and security operations of the AFP, which for decades had relied on US military aid.

While expressing confidence that a pullout won't adversely impact the country's ability to fight terrorists, Año acknowledged nonetheless the advantage of having US forces and their intelligence equipment and technology helping the Philippine military and police in terms of counter-terrorism.

“That helps us a lot, especially on information sharing and technical support. But our Armed Forces and National Police are fully capable,” the Army chief said.

Año, meanwhile, refuted reports that the US has already sent its giant C17 military cargo plane to pull out its forces and equipment in Mindanao. “Nothing yet,” he said.

“First of all, the President did not tell them to leave. What he said is that he is concerned for the safety of these Americans, so it's better if they leave… There was no advice or notice to the US side for them to pull out. They are still there,” Año said.

Fewer than 100 American troops are staying inside the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) headquarters in Zamboanga City.

Earlier, President Duterte called on US forces to leave Mindanao and said he wannted to end joint military exercises with the US; and consider abrogating military treaties and agreements without actually cutting foreign relations.

Duterte has repeatedly served notice he wants an independent foreign policy, especially after the US, United Nations and the European Union raised concern over the steady rise of killings in relation to the administration's all-out war on drugs.

The Philippine National Police said over 3,700 suspected drug lords, pushers and addicts have died since the campaign began July 1, but human-rights groups noted that more than half are not attributed to official police operations. The PNP calls them "deaths under investigation," but human-rights groups tag these as “extra-judicial killings,” possibly by vigilantes.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/133157/us-forces-pullout-wont-impact-ph-counterterrorism-program---army-chief