Malacañang on Wednesday defended the American soldiers who allegedly fired their guns after being startled by an improvised bomb explosion, saying that they only bared arms for their own protection.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the government is eyeing to provide “enhanced” protection to the US troops deployed in strife-torn areas in southern Philippines following the blast that rocked Jolo pier where the US soldiers were unloading supplies from a boat in Sulu’s capital last Tuesday night.

“When you see them baring arms, it’s only for their own protection and they are not intended to conduct military operations,” Ermita said, in an ambush interview, shortly before the National Executive meeting of Lakas-Kampi-CMD at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Pasig City.

Ermita said it is normal for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units to provide security for the American soldiers while they undertake their humanitarian activities.

“You may say maaaring ma-enhance dahil nga sa pagsabog sa Jolo para mapag-ingatan ang mga US troops dito sa mga pangyayaring ito,” the Palace official said.