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