US troops and Philippine police in hot water over bar brawl in Palawan

bar brawl
U.S. Military and Philippine Police Face Sanctions for Bar Brawl in Palawan – www.plnmedia.com

American troops involved in a bar brawl with Filipino policemen in a Puerta Princesa, Palawan, are likely to find themselves in hot water.

The fight broke out on April 2 after an apparent misunderstanding, that was reportedly settled amicably later on.

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Three Filipino policemen are under scrutiny for pulling a loaded pistol during the confrontation, even though the police were off duty and in plain clothes.

A statement issued by the US military said: “Any potential misconduct of US service members is completely unacceptable.”

The statement did not identify the troops involved nor give any details about the incident.

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While off duty, American troops have the opportunity to experience the local culture while training in the Philippines – but the military said it “demands high standards of conduct from service members at all time, and takes all incidents involving potential misconduct very seriously.”

US military servicemen were in Palawan for the annual Balikatan joint military exercises.

Authorities are unhappy after the video surfaced showing one of the American soldiers approaching a table of Filipino policemen. He taps the top of a beer bottle with his, causing the beer foam to flow out of the bottle.

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The policemen, who appeared offended by the soldier’s actions, confronts the American and one of the Filipino officers pulled out a pistol.

The three policemen were later disarmed by their superior officers and temporarily removed from their posts while an investigation is ongoing.

Both sides were later pacified – but the video continues to circulate online and heads are set to roll.

Left-wing group Bayan, which has opposed any US military presence in the country, said the incident underscored the constant risk of crimes being committed by American forces.

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