RP angry over U.S. comments

RP angry over U.S. comments

PHILIPPINES: The Philippines reacted angrily on Wednesday to U.S. concern about terrorist training camps in the south of the country and said it regretted a decision to withdraw US$30 million of aid for the region.

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said on Tuesday Washington was concerned about the camps on Mindanao island which he said were being run by Jamaah Islamiyah, the al-Qaeda linked group behind the 2002 Bali bombings.

President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman said the Philippine government was doing everything it could to fight terrorism.

"We've been engaged in fighting terrorism since day one," said spokesman Ignacio Bunye.

"We acknowledge the concern of the U.S. government, but we do not have to be told to do our duty," he told a news conference. --AFP