Bicol bishops: Balikatan may provoke NPA attacks

MANILA, Philippines - The RP-US Balikatan joint military exercises in Bicol may trigger heightened activities by the New People's Army, Bicol-based bishops warned. Legazpi Apostolic Vicar Bishop Lucilo Quiambao and Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes voiced doubts the American forces will be in Bicol mainly for "humanitarian missions." "Their mere presence might provoke the insurgents," said Quiambao in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website. "They will make the situation worst, they will train our Filipino soldiers how to fight their fellow Filipinos," added Bastes. Sr. Ailyn Binco of the Religious of Good Shepherd also sounded the alarm on child trafficking and prostitution where the US troops will land in coastal areas. Binco said many urban poor women could be affected as they may be lured with the prospect of quick money from the soldiers. "There is a hidden agenda here by the American soldiers," she added. Virgilio Perdigon, secretary general of Aquinas University in Legazpi City, also claimed the US troops in the country may be spying on internal conflicts and natural resources. A group of students formed the "Ban Balikatan" movement and aims to gain the support of farmers and fishermen to form a pressure group that will caution the administration on the ill-effects of the military exercises. - GMANews.TV