U.S. forces chief meets RP generals

U.S. forces chief meets RP generals

PHILIPPINES: The head of U.S. forces in the Pacific flew to the embattled region of Mindanao on Wednesday as Washington ponders a military aid package to help the Philippines battle extremist Moro rebels.

Admiral Dennis Blair, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, met in the southern city of Zamboanga with Philippine Chief of Staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva and other generals leading 7,000 soldiers pursuing the Abu Sayyaf group on Basilan island, about 20 kilometers away.

Since the May 27 abduction of three U.S. citizens and 17 Filipinos from a beach resort, the soldiers have been ferreting out hide-outs of the Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked to Saudi- born Osama bin Laden, the accused mastermind of Sept. 11 attacks in the United States.

A handful of plainclothes U.S. security staff with submachine guns joined armored personnel carriers, soldiers and police securing Zamboanga for Blair's arrival. --AP