“THEY COULD SERVE from behind,” said Arroyo. “They will not be in the front lines. It is not just a constitutional requirement; it is also for the sensitivity of the population, even our soldiers.”
       For decades, the Philippines has fought against violent separatist groups on the poor southern islands of Mindanao and Basilan.
       “For many years, the fight against Abu Sayyaf was a lonely fight for our country,” said Arroyo, who came to power last year. “But now that there is an international war on terrorism, we will be more successful in dealing with them.”
       The United States is worried that the Abu Sayyaf, which established ties with al-Qaida in the mid-1990s and currently holds two American hostages, will become a destination for al-Qaida and Taliban forces fleeing Afghanistan.
 

“WE DO HAVE a worry that as al-Qaida and other groups disperse from Afghanistan they are going to look for places to go,” Robert Pitts, the charges d’affairs at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, told MSNBC. 

 “We think it is an opportune time to put into the hands of the Filipino government the tools necessary to police and to combat that.”

More than 200 U.S. troops have been sent to the island nation to help Philippine forces fighting the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group that established ties with al-Qaida in the 1990s, and more American soldiers are on the way.

Some of them will be stationed on the southern islands, where Abu Sayyaf is holding two Americans and a Filipino hostage. The American forces are there to observe and train Philippine troops, both in camps and in the field. 

Philippine officials have said the American contingent will total about 600, including 160 U.S. Army Special Forces.

During a November meeting, President Bush promised Arroyo nearly $100 million in aid and military assistance. 

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has said that no American soldiers will be allowed to fight on the front lines. The Philippine constitution bans foreign troops from fighting on its soil.

NO HARD EVIDENCE
Though there is no hard evidence that al-Qaida has set up shop in the Philippines, the United States believes international terror groups could find it attractive

If I were planning where to put sleeper cells I would put one or two here,” said Pitts. “I wouldn’t think this would be a safe haven that al-Qaida could come over lock, stock and barrel and set up a tent and operate. But I do think it is possible for individual members to lie low here.”

In an interview with MSNBC, Arroyo said international terrorists would be unable to enter the Philippines.

“Even now I would like to say there is ‘no room at the inn’ and there is no place they can go where they will feel safe here,” the president said.

The country’s own battle with the Abu Sayyaf has exhausted resources, scared away foreign investors and proved largely unsuccessful. Arroyo is hoping that the U.S. aid and military cooperation will help rid her country of the Abu Sayyaf for good.

If I were planning where to put sleeper cells I would put one or two here,” said Pitts. “I wouldn’t think this would be a safe haven that al-Qaida could come over lock, stock and barrel and set up a tent and operate. But I do think it is possible for individual members to lie low here.”

In an interview with MSNBC, Arroyo said international terrorists would be unable to enter the Philippines.

“Even now I would like to say there is ‘no room at the inn’ and there is no place they can go where they will feel safe here,” the president said.

The country’s own battle with the Abu Sayyaf has exhausted resources, scared away foreign investors and proved largely unsuccessful. Arroyo is hoping that the U.S. aid and military cooperation will help rid her country of the Abu Sayyaf for good.