July 6, 2004

BY JIM GOMEZ

MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. forces will provide guerrilla-style combat training to Filipino soldiers battling Muslim and communist insurgents and al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah militants, officials said Monday.

The anti-terror maneuvers from July 26 to Aug. 14 will bring U.S. Special Forces trainers to Carmen in North Cotabato province, a new southern training ground for the Americans. Muslim separatists and marxist rebels are active in the region, military officials said.

Defense Undersecretary Edgardo Batenga said the counterterrorism training in Carmen would be attended by more than 150 Filipino soldiers and more than 20 American counterparts, and would be confined to military camps and areas. The Americans will not engage in any combat operations, military officials said.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the main Muslim separatist group holding peace talks with the government which operates in North Cotabato, will be notified of the maneuvers to avoid accidental encounters, Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

A separate group of American troops will provide counterterrorism training and undertake civic projects with about 800 Filipino troops in a program called Bayanihan, or ''lending hands,'' in southern Zamboanga city from July to December, military spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said.

AP