Two unidentified Caucasians in civilian clothes and both armed with automatic pistols are spotted in a meat shop in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga. The two foreigners – one of them openly displayed his pistol and the other tucked under his shirt, although the gun’s barrel is visible – are believed to be members of the United States Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines deployed in Zamboanga to help fight terrorism, but American troops – under the Philippine laws – are not allowed to carry weapons in public, especially if they are not in proper uniform. The foreigners are also driving an unlicensed truck. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / June 2, 2012) – Two unidentified Caucasians in civilian clothes and both armed with automatic pistols and towing a Filipina woman, were spotted in a meat shop in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga.
The two tattooed foreigners – one of them openly displayed his pistol and the other tucked under his shirt, although the gun’s barrel was visible – are believed to be members of the United States Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines deployed in Zamboanga to help fight terrorism.
A third Caucasian was also lying on his back at the rear seat in the truck as his companions shopped for bacons.
But American troops – under the Philippine laws – are not allowed to carry weapons in public, especially if they are not in proper uniform and without Filipino soldiers or policemen escorting them. The foreigners are also driving an unlicensed truck.
A Philippine Army official said the duo was probably US soldiers. “They are US soldiers I supposed. Who else would go around town in civilian clothes with their guns displayed, but US soldiers,” he said.
In 2007, Philippine military police also pursued a group of US soldiers in civilian clothes who entered a restaurant in General Santos City in Mindanao with their guns tucked in their waist holster.
The Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines headquarters are based inside the Western Mindanao Command where it directs anti-terrorism operation from Zamboanga City. Another US base is located inside the Philippine marine headquarters in Jolo town in the southern Sulu province where al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants are actively operating.
US troops have been deployed in Zamboanga City since 2001 after the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped an American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and California man Guillermo Sobero. Both Sobero and Martin were killed by the Abu Sayyaf, and Gracia rescued in a US-led military operation in Zamboanga del Norte province. (Mindanao Examiner)
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