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