Biazon: US warships in Manila as precaution to Erap conviction fallout

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon on Wednesday bared that two US missile-guided warships docked at the Manila Port apparently as a security contingent for US nationals in case of a political turmoil that would be spawned by the guilty verdict against deposed president Joseph Estrada by the Sandiganbayan. Biazon told reporters that USS Mele and US Chung Hoon docked at Pier 15 in the South Harbor while the Sandiganbayan clerk of court was reading the decision on the plunder case against Estrada. “I received reports that two US warships… were asking permission from the port authorities to dock at Pier 15… docked while the decision was being promulgated," Biazon said. “Is this a coincidence or not?" he asked. He said the presence of US warships has raised concerns among observers since it is a policy of the United States to place standby forces for its nationals in case of emergency. “Like probably providing contingency measures in the event that any of their nationals come into situations of danger or even protect their embassies," he said. However, the presence of the US warships has raised more concerns among Filipinos who were indignant over the decision of the Sandiganbayan on the Estrada trial, Biazon said. "Their presence is adding up to the concerns being raised by our people and the possible consequences of the promulgation… finding President Estrada being guilty of plunder and being sentenced [to] life imprisonment," he said. “We hope that the promulgation is not going to cause any undue threats to our stability," he added. - GMANews.TV