📷 A small aircraft rests on its side following a crash in a grassy area of Barangay Malatimon, located in Ampatuan town, on the afternoon of February 6, 2025. According to local officials, the incident resulted in the fatalities of four individuals. (philstar.com)
Former Bayan Muna Congressman Carlos Isagani Zarate today called for an immediate and thorough investigation of the US military aircraft crash in Maguindanao del Sur, raising serious concerns about unauthorized American surveillance operations and the presence of mercenaries in Philippine territory.
“We demand a congressional inquiry into this incident. Why is there active US intelligence surveillance in our country, particularly in Mindanao, involving so-called ‘defense contractors’ who are essentially mercenaries?” Zarate questioned.
Zarate pointed out the alarming pattern of foreign military presence in Philippine territory. “First, we have supposed Chinese spies, and now we have American mercenaries. China and the US are clearly making the Philippines the primary theater of their war games in the region. If the Marcos government, investigated the supposed Chinese spies, then they should probe this all the more,”
The former legislator called attention to the February 6 crash of a US Department of Defense-contracted aircraft in Maguindanao del Sur, which resulted in four fatalities, including one US military service member and three defense contractors.
“This incident raises serious questions about our sovereignty and the true nature of US military activities in our country. Are they operating US bases in Mindanao? Are these bases violating the constitutional ban on foreign troops, bases and facilities absent a treaty? We need answers, and we need them now,” Zarate concluded.#
