300 US military anti-terror experts to train RP officers

ZAMBOANGA CITY — About 300 American anti-terrorist experts will arrive in the Philippines in February to train Filipino troops in fighting terrorists.

Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya, Armed Forces Southern Command chief, said the Americans will train troops from the Light Reaction Company and Light Infantry Battalion on night flying and intelligence gathering.

Abaya said the Light Infantry Battalion will train in Zamboanga City, while the Light Reaction Company will hold exercises at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Training on night flying will be held at Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu, he added.

However, unlike during the six-month deployment of US forces in Zamboanga City and Basilan earlier this year, the US troops would be confined to training areas and would not observe Filipino soldiers in their operations against local rebel groups.

"This is part of the United States program in combating global terrorism," Abaya said.

He said the training will be funded from the supplemental budget of the United States as President George W. Bush has committed $30 million to help the Philippine Armed Forces fight terrorism.

"It may not be in the ambit of the Balikatan 02-1 that was terminated early this year," he said. "The upcoming anti-terrorism training is part of US military assistance."

Abaya said the anti-terrorist training of Filipino troops would last until middle of next year and that it would not cover field operations.

Around 200 to 300 US troops are still in Zamboanga City to oversee some humanitarian projects.

One of the American Green Berets involved in the civic projects was killed and another wounded in an explosion outside a restaurant in Malagutay district here last Oct. 2.

This month, Philippine and US military officials rescheduled an anti-terorrism training program for Filipino troops until next year after the Armed Forces failed to put up a counterpart funding in time. – Roel Pareño, AFP