CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The 590th Air Base Group of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has assured residents that the presence of United States troops and military vessels in the city is not related to the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
During the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Monday, March 16, Col. Anselmo Ty, commander of the 590th Air Base Group, said the American troops are in the city as part of a joint training between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US forces under existing bilateral military agreements.
Ty said the activities aim to strengthen the capabilities of both militaries in emergency preparedness and humanitarian and disaster response, particularly during natural disasters.
“This activity is part of our existing agreement and has nothing to do with any international conflict,” Ty said.
At around 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 15, several US military vessels docked at Port 6 of the Macabalan Port in Cagayan de Oro City.
Earlier, on March 10, several US servicemen arrived at Lumbia Air Base, one of the designated sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States.
The presence of foreign troops and vessels raised concerns among some residents, especially amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division earlier clarified that the US forces are in the city for joint bilateral training between the two allied nations.
Cagayan de Oro Mayor Rolando Uy invited Ty to explain the purpose of the US military presence to the public and dispel speculation linking it to the US-Iran conflict.
Ty assured residents that all activities are properly coordinated with the city government and relevant agencies.
“Residents should not worry. All these activities are coordinated,” he said.
The joint training activities are expected to continue until the end of March.
