PHOTO
GALLERY
U.S.
Cites Humanitarian Projects in Mindanao
At
a January 28 press forum in Manila, U.S. Air Force Colonel Douglas Lengenfelder,
the commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, explains
to Manila journalists that the security assistance, civil affairs and humanitarian
projects that U.S. forces are helping the Philippine military accomplish
in Basilan are aimed at fostering greater trust between people on that
island and their government. According to the U.S. Commander, implementing
these projects will also encourage local citizens to withdraw the support
they had formerly extended to the Abu Sayyaf terrorists who operated in
the island.
With
Colonel Lengenfelder at the press forum were: (left to right) U.S. Humanitarian
Assistance Officer, Major William Autrey; Philippine Army Civil Affairs
Group Commander, Colonel Edgar Gurrea; Philippine Armed Forces Southern
Command spokesman, Lt. Colonel Daniel Lucero; and "Bulong-Pulungan" forum
moderator Mrs. Maria Lourdes (Deedee) Sytangco. Major Autrey (left)
assists Colonel Lengenfelder in briefing the media on the completed and
ongoing civil affairs projects being undertaken by the Philippine military
troops and civilian contractors in Basilan. Past projects included
free medical services, the refurbishing of two hospitals and construction
work on bridges, landing docks, and a circumferential road. Ongoing
projects will include the construction of 14 school buildings and 25 water
wells in various locations throughout the island.
Southern
Command spokesman Lt. Colonel Daniel Lucero (second, right) cites the benefits
to the Philippine military and to Basilan residents in the ongoing project
work being financed and coordinated by the U.S. Joint Operations Task Force-Philippines,
which is directing these activities from Zamboanga City. Forum moderator
Deedee Sytangco (right) stated that, for journalists in Manila who do not
regularly go to Mindanao to cover the accomplishments of the bilateral
military efforts there, the briefing was a "very big eye opener."
During
the question-and-answer session with journalists that followed his briefing,
Colonel Lengenfelder presents Manila Standard editor-in-chief and television
talk show host, Jullie Yap Daza with a balloon novelty that he had fashioned
on-the-spot while responding to her question. The U.S. commander
effectively used the lighter moment to make the point that, in a similar
fashion, the joint exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines in Mindanao
are enhancing the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to
more creatively respond to local situations in the Southern Philippines.
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