News Update US soldiers removed from Basilan for 'unruly behavior'
US soldiers involved in a "verbal altercation" on July 3 in Isabela City in Basilan have been removed for their "unruly behavior", the US Embassy said in a statement.
However, the US Embassy’s deputy press attaché in the Philippines, Wossie Mazengia, maintained that the incident involved only two individuals and that media reports were inaccurate.
Profanity and harassment
Mazengia was referring to the July 3 anniversary celebration of the Philippine Marines in the city, where at least five US servicemen supposedly became rowdy and went out of control.
According to reports, the US soldiers went up on the stage, then tried snatching the instruments of performers while shouting profanities.
They also allegedly harassed a female band singer by kissing her. They also allegedly tried to take the singer to their barracks, until Filipino soldiers intervened.
Corrective action taken
"(The) JSOTF-P (Joint Special Operation Task Force -Philippines) has taken corrective action to ensure unfortunate events like this don’t occur again. The US troops involved in the incident have been removed from Isabela City," Mazengia said.
A Philippines Daily Inquirer report identified five US soldiers who were involved in the incident and who have reportedly been removed: US Navy Petty Officers 2 Eric Snatch and Devin Fitzgerald; US Marine Sergeant Thomas Patterson; and Corporal Brian Nguyen and S/Sergeant Matthew Blanchard of the US Army.
Differing accounts
Mazengia said that the JSOTF-P's review of the incident, as requested by Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, showed that things happened differently.
"The information developed from the review differs greatly from what has been reported in the press... (The) JSOTF-P review found that a US service member engaged in a verbal altercation with the Marine Officer. We regret this unfortunate disagreement between the two individuals," the deputy spokesperson said.
Using words to defuse violence: good communication skills can help soothe angry patrons, elicit cooperation from a frustrated public, and prevent altercations ... An article from: Security Management
He added that the results of the review will be shared with the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command (AFP Wesmincom).
'We fully respect the Philippine government'
"As guests in this country, we fully respect the government of the Philippines, the Philippine armed forces and the people of the Philippines... All US service members within JSOTF-P have been reminded of the importance of professionalism and respect as guests in this country," Mazengia further stated.
Both Wesmincom spokesperson Maj. Ramon Hontiveros and AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta could not be reached for comment as of posting time.
The US troops are in the Philippines under the Visiting Forces Agreement, a military accord signed in 1999 allowing the presence of US troops inside the national territory for military exercises.—TJD/JV
