U.S. troops renovate hospital in RP

U.S. troops renovate hospital in RP

PHILIPPINES: A government hospital renovated by U.S. troops in the southern Philippines was officially turned over on Sunday to local authorities in the rebel-plagued Basilan island, the military said.

The military's southern command chief Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya flew to Basilan island to personally preside over the opening ceremony for the 25-room hospital in the town of Lamitan.

The chief of the U.S. Special Operations command in the Pacific, Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, was to have flown to Basilan to attend the ceremonies but was canceled.

A top official at the military's southern command said the cancellation was made after officials received "credible threats" against American troops in the south from Abu Sayyaf rebels. He did not elaborate. --AFP