Gadian alleges US has camps in Mindanao

By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter

A retired military officer claimed Thursday that the US military has two permanent structures in Mindanao and that American servicemen were joining Filipino soldiers in combat operations.

Retired Navy Lt. Nancy Gadian told the Legislative Oversight on the Visiting Forces Agreement (LOVFA) that a permanent structure was built in Camp Navarro for the Joint Special Operations Task Force (JOSTF) Philippines after the first Balikatan exercises in 2002.

“Prior to their presence in Camp Navarro, the US military built permanent and temporary structures in the Edwin Andrews Air Base to house their personnel and equipment, which included tanks and communication equipment,” she said.

Both camps are in Zamboanga City.

The 1987 Constitution bans the establishment of permanent military facilities for foreign powers.

“Camp Navarro is guarded by US Marines. There are at least 500 American soldiers there at any given time, with or without Balikatan exercises,” Gadian added.

She said that while American servicemen could enter Philippine military camps, Filipino soldiers could enter Camp Navarro only if they were invited and only designated places. ....

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US denies troops involved in combat in Philippines