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ZAMBOANGA CITY - The commander of American troops participating in joint military exercises here assured local officials that sanctions will be imposed on four drunken US soldiers involved in a car accident on Saturday night.

Col. Allan Walker, chief of the Joint Special Task Force-Philippines (JSTF-P), told Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat that the four erring US soldiers will be punished. A contingent of American soldiers is in the city for the Joint RP-US military exercises, Bayanihan 2003.

The four American soldiers, whose identifies were not immediately available, were apparently drunk when their jeep rammed an electric post on San Jose Road in Zamboanga City.

Reports said the electric post collapsed on Grace Marketing’s roof and damaged the roof, steel door, water pipes and a signboard.

The soldiers allegedly drank beer at a local pub house. There were reports that they had earlier created a commotion at another disco house on Campaner Street.

Lobregat invited Walker and other US military officials to dinner on Sunday night and complained of the trouble caused by the soldiers.

She and Walker discussed measures to prevent a repeat of untoward incidents involving US troops, which could hurt the sensitivity of residents.

Concerned residents, particularly Muslims, have warned the government that the presence of US forces in Mindanao could lead to abuses.

Lobregat said Walker had assured her that the car accident will be investigated and the culprits punished.

Walker told Lobregat that the incident will not be repeated. “These people [four US soldiers] are in deep trouble,” Lobregat quoted Walker as saying.

Councilor Manuel Dalipe Jr. said this is not the first time unruly American soldiers were involved in traffic altercations.

Dalipe cited complaints about some US soldiers being involved in various traffic violations ranging from speeding, entering one-way streets and disregarding pedestrian lanes.

There are reports that a car driven by an American soldier drove into the opposite direction on the one-way Brillantes Street, that caused the collision of two tricycles.

Dalipe said Americans and other diplomats are not exempted from traffic rules.