MANILA, Philippines–A United States military officer has reminded American servicemen participating in the joint Balikatan exercises in the Philippines to be on their best behavior.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, US Balikatan assistant exercise director, said the liberty policy imposed by the United States Pacific Command (Uspacom) on American servicemen in the Philippines since November last year stood.
A week before the Balikatan exercises, which began on Monday, the Uspacom reminded US military personnel to avoid bar-hopping and just stay around their hotels.
The policy was imposed shortly after US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton was implicated in the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.
Pemberton is on trial for the murder in an Olongapo City court.–Cynthia D. Balana