Military defends closure of Crow Valley during Balikatan

A US ARMY Chinook helicopter transports a 155-mm howitzer during Balikatan live fire exercises at Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac province. WILLIE LOMIBAO/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON FILE PHOTO

The military defended its decision to close Crow Valley in Tarlac for the Balikatan exercises held recently, which reportedly led to economic losses in local tourism.

“Walang masama sa desisyon na yun, coordinated yun with tourism authority at pinaliwanag namin sa kanila sa pribilehiyo lang po yung pagpapadaan namin dun sa military reservation area bilang pag-intindi na rin sa hanap-buhay ng ating mga kababayan na kung saan kailangan nilang dumaan dun dahil yun lang din ang may lugar na may kalsada na papunta doon sa Pinatubo,” Armed Forces Public Affairs Office chief Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc. Jr. said on Wednesday.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who chairs the legislative oversight committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement, has filed a resolution ordering the Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into the supposed economic impact of the US-PH war games.

BAKSTORY: Santiago seeks probe of losses due to PH-US war games

In Crow Valley, the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercises (Calfex) was held in Sta. Juliana village last April 20 to 30.

Capas Mayor Antonio Rodriguez reportedly wrote a letter to Santiago saying that tour guides, transport operators and workers lost around P900,000 daily as Crow Valley was off limits to them during the Balikatan exercises.

Sta. Juliana village is part of Crow Valley and is one of the routes where tourists pass to see the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo.

“Sana maintindihan din nila na yung pagsara namin ay para din sa kanilang kapakanan at ang training exercises ay para sa kapakanan nating lahat, lalo na at tayo’y naghahanda para sa pang gigipit ng ibang bansa…Ito ay pamamaraan para mahanda yung ating bansa sa any threats ng external armed aggression,“ Cabunoc said.

“Yung ruta kasi ng papunta sa Pinatubo ay dadaan mismo doon sa area, yung impact ng live fire at nasa line of fire…Ayaw naman natin mapahamak yung ating mga kababayan dahil sa exercises na yun,” he said. AC