U.S.-Philippine operations to go on

U.S.-Philippine operations to go on

PHILIPPINES: The Philippines and United States will press ahead with scheduled joint military exercises despite the death of a U.S. soldier in a bomb attack, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said on Sunday.

Some 600 U.S. troops are scheduled to arrive this month for the next phase of exercises to be held in the main Philippine island of Luzon, Golez said without giving further details.

Military officials earlier said another batch of U.S. military advisers was also expected to arrive this year in the rebel- plagued island of Jolo, where gunmen allied to Abu Sayyaf guerrillas are holding hostage three Indonesian sailors and four Filipina Christian preachers.

Hundreds of U.S. Special Forces were deployed to the Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Basilan island this year to "train and assist" Filipino troops. The six-month joint operation led to the rescue of the last U.S. hostage held by the rebels and the death of the most notorious of their leaders, Abu Sabaya. --AFP