U.S. Troops in the Philippines

"The last two weeks have seen more than 600 US combat troops arrive in the Philippines, marking a dangerous new phase in the US' military intervention in the Philippines. According to Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, US Special Forces, Navy SEALs and advisers are in the country for 'joint military exercises' with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Except this time, they will be DISPATCHED TO THE COMBAT FRONTLINES IN BASILAN where the AFP is now trying to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf bandit group that is holding two Americans and one Filipino hostage. The US combat troops will not hesitate to fire live bullets 'in self-defense.'
from an article reprinted in Athena's journal