Army execs allay fears over US soldiers in Cagayan de Oro
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) has assured local residents that the activities of American servicemen currently in the city for joint exercises with Filipino soldiers are confined to specific venues and nothing more.
Col. Ricky Canatoy, assistant chief of staff for civil-military operations of 4ID, said up to 150 American soldiers are in Cagayan de Oro for a two-week joint training on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
The training is part of the annual Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the United States.
The HADR training is being held at the Philippine Air Force’s Godofredo P. Juliano Air Base in Lumbia village and at Macabalan Port, where the 60,000-ton US Navy supply ship USNS Seay is docked.
Summon
American servicemen began arriving in the city on March 8, sparking concerns among residents, which intensified on March 15 when the US naval ship docked at Macabalan Port.
These concerns prompted the city council to summon military commanders during its session on Monday to answer questions about the presence and activities of US soldiers in the city.
Councilor Edgar Cabanlas said he is apprehensive about the legal ramifications should any American servicemen commit infractions while in the city.
Canatoy, however, downplayed concerns about US troops frequenting entertainment areas in the city, saying this is “highly unlikely.”
