Philippine military: U.S. may send 300 more troops for anti-terror exercise

Sunday, April 7th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP) _ The United States may send 300 more troops to the Philippines to help rebuild roads, seaports and an airstrip on a southern island where the local army is fighting Muslim rebels, a Philippine army officer said Sunday.

That contingent would join 660 American troops already here for a six-month counterterrorism training exercise helping Philippine soldiers fight the Abu Sayyaf, Muslim rebels who have been linked to the al-Qaida terror network believed responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States.

The American troops, including 160 Special Forces currently on Basilan island, cannot initiate combat but can shoot in self-defense.

The Philippine military wants the government to allow extra U.S. troops on condition they engage only in non-combat activities, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio said.

Teodosio said he was told about the potential for 300 more American soldiers by U.S. Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, who commands the forces training the Philippine army. A spokeswoman for Wurster could not be reached for comment Sunday night.

The joint counterterrorism exercise is scheduled to end July 15. But officials on Basilan are preparing to ask Manila to allow a six-month extension of the U.S. deployment, said Teodosio, who commands the Philippine units involved in the exercise.

Basilan government officials want the American military presence expanded and extended so large-scale infrastructure projects can be completed to help local forces fight Muslim rebels, he said. Those projects include roads, two seaports, an airstrip and drinking-water facilities.

``These are massive engineering works so the Americans' stay should be extended,'' Teodosio said. ``Basilan is just so depressed.''

The infrastructure also would benefit residents and traders on the island, a poor, predominantly Muslim province of more than 330,000 people, he said.

The appalling conditions on Basilan are blamed for fanning the extremism embraced by the Abu Sayyaf rebels, who are holding a Kansas missionary couple and a local nurse hostage.

Left-wing groups oppose the U.S. deployment, saying it violates constitutional restrictions on the presence of foreign troops in this former American colony.

The U.S. forces have evacuated wounded Philippine soldiers by helicopter and are operating surveillance aircraft to track the Muslim guerrillas.

Ten American soldiers died Feb. 22 when their helicopter crashed at sea off the Philippines after transporting the last of the 160 Special Forces to Basilan.