A US$14 million centre being built for the exclusive use of US soldiers inside the headquarters of the Philippine armed forces in Mindanao has sparked renewed controversy over the role of the US in the country.
Legislator Crispin Beltran has asked the House of Representatives to investigate the building, which is being constructed by Global Contingency Services LLC of Texas inside the regional headquarters of the armed forces in Zamboanga.
The Philippine constitution specifically bans 'foreign military bases, troops, or facilities', but the US and the Philippines have a visiting forces agreement that allows US forces to provide military training.
'Will they allow on-site inspections and will they surrender complete data and information regarding the extent and coverage of the construction activities?' said Mr Beltran, who represents Anakpawis.
Mr Beltran said he doubted lawmakers would be given access to the US$14.4 million facility, which US diplomats in Manila describe as 'temporary'.
But analysts said the cost of the building meant it could not just be intended for US soldiers training Philippine troops to battle a few hundred Muslim extremists in the south.
University of the Philippines professor Roland Simbulan, who has written a book on American bases in the Philippines, said he believed the structures were part of America's regional security. He noted Mindanao was close to two Muslim countries - Indonesia, where the US military has no presence, and Malaysia, where it is confined to port visits.
