MIRIAM SETS FOR SENATE PROBE THE PRESENCE OF US TROOPS IN SULU

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago today said that she will schedule a legislative inquiry to determine whether the presence of American troops in Indanan, Sulu constitute "unlawful combat operations."

Santiago today filed a resolution directing the Senate foreign relations committee and the Legislative Oversight on the Visiting Forces Agreement (LOVFA), which she both chairs, to conduct the investigation.

The media reported yesterday that heavily armed US troops were allegedly seen leading a military convoy last 14 August 2007 in Indanan, Sulu, where Filipino soldiers are currently fighting insurgents.

"Under the Terms of Reference for RP-US Exercise Balikatan 02-1, US participants are prohibited from engaging in combat operations, without prejudice to their right to self-defense," Santiago said.

The Terms of Reference govern the conduct of the joint counterterrorism training exercises in southern Philippines participated in by American and Filipino soldiers.

"We need to examine the extent of the participation of US troops in the activities of the AFP in Sulu to find out if there has been a violation of the law prohibiting US forces from engaging in combat operations in Philippine territory," the senator added.

Santiago , an international law expert, said that the presence of US troops in Sulu may also constitute a violation of international law.

"Under international law, States are duty-bound to refrain from activities that constitute 'intervention,'" Santiago explained. Quoting her book entitled "International Law," she said that "intervention is defined as dictatorial interference by a State in the affairs of another State for the purpose of maintaining or altering the actual condition of things. Intervention may or may not involve the use of force."

"Intervention is a violation of international law, because it affects the international personality and territorial supremacy of a State," Santiago said. "We need to find out whether the activities of the US troops in Sulu constitute unlawful intervention."

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