US begins training Philippine army

The US military has begun training the Philippine army as part of George W Bush’s so-called "war on terrorism".

The US will help the Philippine Government in its ongoing war with the Abu Sayyaf rebel group, which is fighting for independence in the mainly-Muslim southern Philippines. Around 100 US soldiers are already in the town of Zamboanga, on Basilan island, where the rebels are based. Another 500 US troops, including special forces, are due to join them in the coming weeks.