Philippine troops say U.S. know-how can defeat rebels

CABUNBATA RANGER CAMP, Philippines -- Twenty-six elite soldiers snake stealthily into a skirmish line, then open fire at three armed men approaching through chest-high ferns.

The machine-gunner yells "rat-tat-tat" as riflemen grunt in staccato, aiming unloaded rifles at buddies posing as Muslim extremists for the exercise.

The renowned Philippine Scout Rangers can't afford blanks. They use 30-year-old radios, drive decades-old jeeps and rely on informants who walk for hours or days to report enemy sightings.

The combat veterans -- among 1,200 Filipinos to be trained by U.S. Special Forces -- hope counterterrorism classes and a $100 million U.S. military aid package can change that.

Some 660 Americans are to teach Filipino soldiers to better fight the Abu Sayyaf group, which has been linked to Osama bin Laden's network, and rescue Wichita, Kan., missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham from eight months of captivity. The Rangers say the Americans can learn a few things from them, too.

Six-month exercise

About 150 Americans are already in the southern Philippines for the six-month exercise that began Thursday. The rest are to arrive in coming weeks.

Some will teach night helicopter flying and other specialized skills. About 160 Special Forces are to accompany the Philippine Rangers into combat zones and can fire back in self-defense.