MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. officials today denied American troops were violating Philippine laws by engaging in combat against Muslim militants,
saying they were only training Filipino soldiers and their mission was temporary.
Allegations that U.S. troops in the southern Philippines are building permanent structures and joining the fight against al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf
militants have roiled nationalist and left-wing forces opposed to the American presence.
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"U.S. forces are not involved in combat operations," U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said in a statement today. She said American
troops were on temporary deployment at the invitation of the Philippine military and government.
The left-wing group Bayan, which has led anti-U.S. protests, and former Senate President Jovito Salonga have asked the Supreme Court to reconsider a
decision to uphold the Visiting Forces Agreement, which governs the conduct of U.S. troops. They say the agreement infringes on Philippine sovereignty
and violates a constitutional prohibition of foreign military bases.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's top Cabinet aide, defended the 1998 agreement, saying it was key to the
defense of the Philippines.
The U.S. military presence is a sensitive issue in the former American colony. In 1991, the Philippine Senate under Salonga voted to close down two
major U.S. bases.
Hmm. Well, I suppose I was getting a little bored hearing about Afghanistan all the time. This stuff is like crack to them, ain't it?
One rock just isn't ever enough. I'm really glad to hear that they are essentially just 'advisors.' Oh, yeah, I guess that's how Nam started,
huh?
Yay America! You know what? I think I just saw an Al-Qaeda-backed grandmother at Luby's for the Early bird special. We need some troops in there NOW.
They spread like the plague, ya know.
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