PANGILINAN TO VFA COMMISSION: WHO DO YOU SERVE?

Independent senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan criticized VFA Commission Undersecretary Edilberto Adan's hasty retort to reports that U.S. troops involved in Balikatan exercises are given women nightly in Bicol.

"This is not a case of mistaken identity. I personally spoke to witnesses who attest to the fact that women were being brought to the U.S. servicemen in their hotels. I challenge Undersecretary Adan to prove that this is a case of mistaken identity. If he cannot do so then he should issue a retraction and apologize," said Pangilinan.

Pangilinan was approached Wednesday by concerned citizens in the region, fearing that their place is turning into a brothel for U.S. soldiers. "We deplore and condemn the immediate haste by which the VFA Commission dismisses the reports of prostitution and alleged misconduct displayed by U.S. servicemen involved in the Balikatan exercises in the Bicol region. Why are they quick to defend the acts of U.S. soldiers?" Pangilinan adds.

"How did the commission come to the conclusion that the incident did not take place? Was an investigation undertaken? If there was an investigation, who was called? What is the basis of their findings that these U.S. servicemen are innocent?"

"Why so quick to come to the defense of these U.S. servicemen? Sino ba ang mga amo nila? Mga 'kano o Filipino? We demand an explanation from the VFA Commission."

Pangilinan calls out the VFA Commissioner to uphold his duties firstly to his countrymen. "May I remind Undersecretary Adan that he is a government official sworn to uphold Philippine interests, and not to act as defender and apologist of the United States."