Philippine Forces Boost Security for U.S. Firms

Philippine Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos on Thursday ordered increased security around U.S. installations and private companies in the Philippines after a threat by right-wing army rebels to launch an anti-government offensive.

He told reporters that he had ordered a security alert around potential U.S. targets, “to make sure that U.S. installations, including those in the private sector that are very vulnerable and sensitive to harassment and bombings, are fully protected.”

Ramos said police and special military units had stepped up patrols in Manila to protect government buildings after four bombs rocked the capital earlier this week. No one was injured in the attacks.

Cashiered army colonel Gregorio (Gringo) Honasan, who reportedly aided the sixth and bloodiest attempt to overthrow President Corazon Aquino last December, threatened Wednesday to launch a new offensive against the government.

But armed forces chief Gen. Renato de Villa on Thursday dismissed the threat as propaganda and said government troops would not be intimidated.

He also accused Honasan of trying to take advantage of the country’s difficulties following a major earthquake last month “and the anticipated severe economic difficulties arising from the present crisis in the Middle East.”

Ramos did not identify the companies where increased security has been ordered, but major U.S. firms in the Philippines include the Caltex oil company, Coca-Cola, Citibank, Texas Instruments, and the agro-industrial firm Dole Philippines.

Rebels linked to Honasan have blamed Washington for propping up Aquino by providing crucial air cover in last December’s bloody coup and have warned they may make attacks against U.S. interests if it continues backing the government.

The United States and the Philippines are scheduled to reopen negotiations on a new treaty for U.S. military bases in the country within the next few weeks, but no date has been set.

Apart from the threat from the rebels, the U.S. presence is also opposed by the communist New People’s Army, which has killed 10 Americans in the Philippines in the past three years.

The United States ordered all of its Peace Corps volunteers out of the country at the end of June because of a communist rebel threat to kill or kidnap them. One volunteer, Timothy Swanson, was held for 50 days before being released Aug. 2.