THE PHILIPPINE Army attempted to quell public anxiety following social media rumors linking the arrival of US troops in the city to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Major General Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), clarified in a phone interview with Brigada News FM CDO that the presence of US forces at the former Lumbia Airport is strictly for the upcoming Balikatan Exercises.
An advance party of American personnel recently arrived for a final coordinating conference to finalize training scenarios.
The clarification comes after a wave of social media posts suggested that the troop movements were related to international conflicts, sparking concern among residents.
“These are regular joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States,” Anayron Jr. stated, emphasizing that the activities have no connection to global tensions outside the country.
Call for vigilance against misinformation
Anayron urged the public to remain calm and stop the spread of “out-of-this-world imaginations” and unverified reports that cause unnecessary panic.
“Let us be united in our desire to defend our territory,” the commander said in a statement. “I am asking our brothers and sisters to avoid spreading misinformation. We should be one in protecting our sovereignty, rather than creating difficulties for our fellow Filipinos.”
The military leadership reminded the public to verify any information regarding troop movements through official government and military channels before sharing it online.
The Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) exercises are a long-standing bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening disaster response and territorial defense capabilities between the two allied nations.
