Elections in RP successful – US (tags)
A US State Department official said yesterday the May 14 elections were generally successful despite reports of violence and fraud. “I know there have been some problems with violence. But I would say overall the elections have been very successful and a real sign that the Philippines has a very well-developed democracy. It has never been an easy process,” Christopher Hill, US State Department assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, said over Radyo ng Bayan. Hill’s observation followed an earlier statement of concern from the US Embassy in Manila on reports of violence in many parts of the country during the elections.
US lauds ratification of Philippines' anti-terrorism bill (tags)
The US Embassy lauded yesterday the House of Representatives’ ratification of the anti-terrorism bill and the approval of the bicameral conference committee report on the bill. "For us, it is a very good and positive step (for the Philippines). The Philippine law enforcement and judicial authorities should have this kind of tools that are needed to counter terrorism," press attaché Matthew Lussenhop said. He also said the US government was not disappointed with the delay in the passage of the anti-terror measure, pointing out that "we respect Philippine democracy and its legislative consultative process and it takes time."
US commander tells Filipinos: Do not be ‘hostages’ of history (tags)
A top US commander appealed yesterday to residents of this island province "not to be ‘hostages’ of the historic 1906 Bud Daho Battle" that killed thousands of Tausugs, mostly women and children, for their defiance of the US colonial rule. Col. James Linder, commander of the Joint Operations Special Task Force in the Philippines, made the appeal after a Catholic priest here urged the US government to issue an apology to the people of Sulu, who commemorated the centennial anniversary of the Bud Daho Battle (Battle of the Clouds)