Massacre of 6 moves Sulu villagers to tears

[CornField]

PATIKUL, Sulu—They were used to violence but the sight of the bullet-riddled body of a baby girl lying on top of her equally dead mother was too much and the residents could not help but cry.

...

Villagers told the Inquirer that they could not understand why such an incident could happen in their community, which is practically surrounded by military camps.

The close-knit community of tattered houses and makeshift shanties lies near the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Brigade. Another military installation is about 500 meters away.

...

The violence came less than three weeks before a small group of 250 US soldiers deploy on Jolo island for joint military exercises. About 5,000 US troops are to take part in the annual "Balikatan" war games to be conducted throughout the Philippines.

(more)

http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=65077

[CornField]

1. A bit more information about the upcoming war games

http://www.mindanews.com/2006/02/02nws-balikatan.htm

Departing from his previous stand supporting the holding of RP-US military exercises in his province, North Cotabato Gov Emmanuel Piñol now wants to stop Balance Piston 06-02, which is part of the Balikatan program.

Piñol said his change of heart was brought about by the US government’s refusal to turn over to the Philippine government the four American soldiers suspected of committing rape.
...
Piñol said he would file a resolution during the meeting calling on the US to respect Philippine sovereignty. He pointed out the US government's refusal to turn over custody of the rape suspects to the Philippines is a grave disrespect on our sovereignty. He stressed that if the US government could easily deport Filipinos who violate their laws no matter how trivial they might be, so should the Philippines.

http://www.mindanews.com/2006/02/02nws-balikatan.htm