Strengthening fight against terrorism in PhilRP, US troops begin exercises to boost anti-terror drive
First posted 12:57pm (Mla time) Oct 14, 2005
Associated Press
ABOUT 5,000 US and Philippine troops began new annual military exercises on Friday aimed at strengthening the Philippines' fight against terrorism.
Over the next two weeks, US Marines and sailors will join Filipino soldiers in the training maneuvers, called "Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise."
Joint exercises by the two countries have taken on an urgency in recent years as the Philippine military has launched US-backed offensives against al-Qaeda-linked groups in the restive Muslim south.
"The exercises are designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue the professional relationship between the United States and Philippine armed forces," Philippine marine spokesman Major Melquiades Ordiales said in a statement, as the two forces held an opening ceremony for the exercises in Manila.
Most of the events, such as amphibious landing exercises, will be held on the main northern island of Luzon, including at the former US Air Base in Clark, said US Marine Captain Burrell Parmer.
US forces have been providing intelligence support and supplying communications to Filipino troops hunting for the al-Qaida-linked groups Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf.
Abu Sayyaf guerrillas used to be based on southern Basilan island until US-backed offensives three years ago forced them to flee to nearby islands and provinces. A recent three-month massive military manhunt, backed at times by US surveillance aircraft, failed to nab the group's chieftain, Khaddafy Janjalani, who is reportedly hiding with two Jemaah Islamiyah militants in the southern province of Maguindanao.