RP: Cautions taken on US troops stay

RP: Cautions taken on US troops stay

MANILA (AP): The Philippines and the United States have set in place safeguards to prevent any abuses by U.S. troops during the first major joint military exercises in five years, officials said on Wednesday.

The two longtime allies will resume large-scale joint exercises in the Philippines next week after reaching agreement last year on criminal jurisdiction over visiting American troops.

The United States ruled the Philippines for nearly 50 years until 1946 and continued to maintain a strong military presence until 1992, when the last U.S. base was closed by the Philippine government.

Left-wing activists and other groups opposed to the exercises have predicted that the return of U.S. troops will result in a resurgence of prostitution and crimes by American soldiers.