U.S. troops to help battle Muslim extremists in Philippines

Associated Press WriterMANILA, Philippines (AP) -- The Philippines president said Wednesday she would weather growing criticism against a planned U.S. military presence in her country, aimed at helping deliver a fatal blow to the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf.

The United States is sending troop to train Philippine soldiers against Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network, as an extension of the war against terrorism. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said U.S. troops have arrived in the country, though he would not mention a specific number.

Philippine officials say the American contingent would total about 660 troops, including 160 U.S. Army special forces, and some of them will be allowed to work on the front lines in the islands of the southern Philippines, where Abu Sayyaf is holding two Americans and a Filipino hostage

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the U.S. troops will only train Filipinos to fight the Abu Sayyaf and will not violate a constitutional ban on foreign combat troops on Philippine soil, she said.

The new U.S. presence is sparking increasing protests from the Muslim minority, some of Arroyo's left-wing supporters and the mainstream political opposition. Along with concerns over foreign troops on the nation's soil, the possibility of an American firing at a Filipino -- even a violent radical -- has sparked criticism.

"I will weather the criticisms because in the end, if we get the Abu Sayyaf, we would have been victorious," Arroyo said.

The six-month exercise could see U.S. troops advising Filipinos in training camps -- and combat zones -- as early as next month.

"The Philippine government and the United States have had discussions about the terrorist problem that exists there, and as we have done with dozens of countries around the world we're providing the kinds of assistance that we can," Rumsfeld told AP Radio and other radio reporters on Tuesday.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said the government will allow the U.S. soldiers to carry weapons into combat zones, though they would only fire in self-defense. Golez said fewer than 200 U.S. soldiers will be allowed into combat zones, split into groups of 12 for every 400 or so Filipinos.

The U.S. troops are to train Filipinos in night helicopter flying, psychological operations and intelligence work.

Besides the training, the two countries are discussing a proposal to allow the military of one country to rapidly acquire supplies and spare parts from the other, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said Wednesday.

One potentially controversial provision would allow Washington to store spare parts and supplies that are not readily available in the Philippines.

The violence of the Abu Sayyaf has scared off foreign investment and destabilized parts of the southern region of Mindanao, home to the Muslim minority in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

The Abu Sayyaf, with about 800 fighters, continued a tradition of kidnappings last May 27 when it abducted 20 tourists and workers from a beach resort.

They beheaded some, including Corona, Calif. resident Guillermo Sobero. They released others, some reportedly for ransom, and still hold Wichita, Kansas missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap.

While eradicating the Abu Sayyaf would benefit the economy and political stability, opposition to U.S. help is growing.

"My worry is this: what if a Filipino farmer or even an Abu Sayyaf is killed by an American bullet fired by an American trooper?" said opposition Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a former general. "What would be the reaction of nationalists?"