The Philippines has become the training ground of mercenaries being recruited by a U.S. company,Blackwater U.S.A. for Iraq, and other countries. Malaya Publisher Jake Macasaet wrote this in today’s issue of Malaya. Fil Salonga, chairman of the of Subic Metropolitan Authority, where Blackwater is doing their training, has not issued a denial to Macasaet’s report.
National Security Adviser Bert Gonzales said, “I have no knowledge.” Which is neither here nor there.
THE SUBIC Freeport, a former US naval base, has acquired a new role as a center for the recruitment of Filipino mercenaries to fight America’s war in Iraq.
Sources in Subic said an American company, Blackwater, recently signed an agreement with chairman Fil Salonga of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to put up a recruitment office at the economic zone.
The recruitment of Filipinos to fight America’s war in the Middle East has sparked fears of terrorist attacks on the Philippines as well as Filipino companies, citizens and offices abroad.
It will be recalled that President Arroyo was the first to give support to the US war against terrorism after the al Qaeda attack which felled the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan and killed close to 5,000 people.
The mercenaries, sources said, are to be paid between $60,000 to $80,000 a year, which is half the amount Blackwater pays to American recruits.
Blackwater prefers young men with military background or experience.
A source said this could drain the Armed Forces of experienced junior officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted men.
Another source said the recruitment could weaken government forces in the war against the New People’s Army, which Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz said can be won in 10 years.
The source said it might also degrade the AFP’s ability to deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which is waging a secessionist war Mindanao.
Peace talks are ongoing with the MILF, but a collapse of the negotiations could trigger renewed hostilities.
Another source said that carried to extreme, the recruitment of Filipinos to fight America’s war could imperil the supply of crude oil to the country.
The agreement appears to have been kept a secret.
Another source said the Department of National Defense has not been informed about the presence of Blackwater in a non-military area like SBMA, a special economic zone created during the term of President Fidel Ramos.
Sen. Dick Gordon who is from Subic has not said one word about Blackwater operating in the freeport which he used to head. Neither has Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay.
This means, sources said, that the agreement has the approval of Malacañang.
The arms are presumed to be provided the mercenaries by Blackwater whose biggest client in the world is the US Department of Defense.
Arms provided to mercenaries are hardly accounted for. In this case, source said, they may find their way into the hands of political warlords in Zambales upon the return of the mercenaries.
In its website, Blackwater says “we have established a global presence and provides training and operational solution for the 21st century in support of security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.”
Blackwater says “we customize and execute solutions for our clients, to help keep them at the level of readiness required to meet today’s military, law enforcement, peace keeping and stability operations challenges.”
“We continually prove to be faster, better, cheaper and more efficient and effective than conventionally managed forces,” it says.
The background on Blackwater never once mentions the word “mercenary.”
The mercenary outfit, the largest in the world, was founded in 1997 by a US Navy SEAL “in the belief that both the military and law enforcement establishments would require additional capacity to train fully our brave men and women in and out of uniform to the standards required to keep our country secure.”
The largest among Blackwater’s five “business units” is the Blackwater Training Center which it claims runs the largest private firearms and tactical training center in the United States.
It says “we specialize in, but are not limited to”:
* Basic and advanced law enforcement and military training.
* Design and operation of law enforcement counter terrorism, and military training facilities.
* Counter terrorism, anti terrorism, and force protection programs.
* Military transportation programs
* High value asset security and threat assessment (ambassadors, generals, CEOs, etc).
* Fixed and rotary wing aviation operations and logistics programs.
Ellen,
If you remember, I posted a comment about the son of a friend who had asked me if I could connect him to US companies operating as quasi-military operators in Iraq – this is exactly what he was referring to.
That’s why I recommended that he apply to the French Foreign Legion instead.
There is a vast number of US companies who are recruiting ‘mercenaries’ for their operations in Iraq and you are right to point it out.
Again, my serious recommendation is for young Filipinos not to fall prey for such offers which actually only pay lip service to ‘security of employment’ – they will find out that they will be left to slave man duties.
Very precarious and very dangerous option for our Filipino men seeking employment in Iraq.
Yes, I remember that Anna.What happened? Did he apply with the French Foreign Legion? Or did he push through with the American company. Can he be interviewed?
Ellen,
Your news is very alarming – it’s more serious than I thought (US mercenary companies operating in the Phils) so allow me to re-post what I had posted in one of your columns where I said, “For our physically fit young men who want to go to Iraq or Afghanistan and are willing to risk their lives in Iraq in the slave service of US mercenary companies, I think they should consider this option instead – the French Foreign Legion.”
It is found in http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=258#comments
Thanks.
This is more than just recruitment because they are using Subic as training facility. That’s a different contract and operation.
Ellen,
He’s applied and is waiting to be interviewed or examined.
I will ask him if he can be interviewed.
Feliciano Salonga is a crook that even his daughter, Lea wouldn’t let her anywhere near him.
I am in no doubt that he’s part and parcel of the training facility in Olongapo.
Feliciano Salonga will accept any bribe from anybody to maintain his standard of living supporting several mistresses.
He is as infamous as his daughter Lea Salonga is famous.
ooops – near her (Lea Salonga).