MANILA, Philippines—The Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA Commission) based at the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy in Manila Thursday denied reports of misbehavior of US troops involved in the Balikatan exercise in the Bicol region.

“There is no truth to reports that United States military personnel currently in Bicol for the annual Balikatan exercises are availing [themselves] of services of women of ill-repute,” the VFA Commission said in a statement.

VFA Commission Undersecretary Edilberto Adan assured the public that all US military personnel participating in the exercises were under strict orders and supervision to limit their movement from the project site to their accommodations.

Around 100 US soldiers are in Bicol to participate in the US-RP Balikatan exercise. The US military personnel are engaged in building roads, schools and water systems in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate, and are also conducting medical missions.

Adan said the US soldiers were accompanied and secured by personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He was reacting to concerns raised by Sen. Francis Pangilinan that the VFA had turned the Philippines into a whorehouse for US soldiers.

Caucasian tourists

“The Magayon festival has brought tourists, including a number of Caucasians, to Legazpi who are staying in the same place where US soldiers stay. This may be a case of mistaken identity,” Adan said.

He said the VFA Commission was assured by the US civil-military operations team leader, a certain Captain Schneider, that he had not allowed and would not allow any of his personnel to misbehave.

The VFA Commission also emphasized to the Balikatan exercise participants to observe discipline and respect for Philippine laws, according to Adan.

The US Embassy said all US troops coming to the Philippines were briefed in advance on the laws and culture of the people.

Rebecca Thompson, spokesperson of the embassy, said every member of the US Armed Forces was also “required to respect Philippine laws.”

“Each service member is considered an ambassador of the United States and is expected to represent the friendship between our countries to the highest standards,” Thompson told the Inquirer.