MANILA, Philippines—A member of the administration coalition has expressed support for the militant bloc’s resolution asking the House of Representatives to look into the continued and increasing presence of American troops in the country.

Zamboanga City Rep. Maria Isabelle G. Climaco said she even informed US ambassador Kristie Kenney of her desire to have the House committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement look into what appears to be a permanent presence of US troops in the country.

“I already told Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney that the Committee of the VFA in the House of Representatives should be convened to find out what the Americans are doing here, because as a representative of Zamboanga City I don’t know for what reason they’ve been there since 2001,” Climaco said.

Climaco said she has long been asking US officials about their long-term plans in the country. She said the Americans would always say they don’t have any.

“If they don’t have a long-term plan, why is it that until now they haven’t left the country?” Climaco asked.

Climaco said she is puzzled by the presence as well of DYN Corp., a private firm that reportedly takes care of the US troops’ supplies.

“In our airport, you see the Belle helicopters and the American planes occupying one side of the hangar as if they already owned a certain portion of our airport,” Climaco said.

“They used to have three areas when they held the Balikatan in Basilan, but now they are in the Western Mindanao Command,” she added.

Already in the House is a resolution seeking the probe of the US presence filed by party-list Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casino of Bayan Muna; Liza Maza and Luz Ilagan of Gabriela; and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis.