January 20, 2002, Star, President Arroyo "irked" by US senator's claim Philippines to be "next target',

January 20, 2002, Star, President Arroyo "irked" by US senator's claim Philippines to be "next target',

President Arroyo scored yesterday US Senator Sam Brownback for saying that after Afghanistan, the Philippines would be the next target of the US government's global war on terrorism.

"What does he (Brownback) mean by that? Actually, we're not the next because we've been fighting terrorists even before," the president said.

This developed as the president's spokesman, Rigoberto Tiglao, belied her previous statement that the rescue of the Abu Sayyaf hostages was one of the principal objectives of the ongoing military exercises between the Philippines and the United States.

A visibly irked Mrs Arroyo also ruled out an increase in the presence of US forces here. "The 600 (American soldiers) is the maximum conceivable (number), but it depends upon further discussions as to the exact number," she said.

"But surely, it would not be more than that. In fact, 200 of them will not do the training for our combat troops," she added.

In a bid to dispel criticisms, Mrs Arroyo gave assurances that the Americans will merely train their local counterparts through the joint exercises.

"People might think the (American) soldiers are there for combat. But they are not there to do combat. They are there to do training. The joint military exercises are intended to be mutual training," she said in a television interview.

"The overwhelming majority of the people support it, because they want to see an end to the Abu Sayyaf problem," she added.

During Thursday's National Security Council meeting, Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes said the actual number of Americans participating in the operations against the Abu Sayyaf would not be more than 160. He clarified that the visitors would act only as advisers and trainers.

Mrs Arroyo also reacted to a statement by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who said the prolonged Abu Sayyaf hostage crisis had a bearing on the scaling-up of the US involvement in Basilan.

"Certainly, when there's a situation where American hostages are held, that adds a dimension to our interest," Rumsfeld told reporters at the Pentagon.

Tiglao said the rescue of the Abu Sayyaf hostages - American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap - "is not the point of the Balikatan Mindanao exercise".

"But if we achieve that, then it's better for us," Tiglao stressed.

He also said National Security Adviser Roilo Golez charged that Brownback was speaking as a politician and was "ignorant of the Philippine situation"...

Presidential adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita told reporters that the two governments were reviewing the parameters of the exercise and could decide against allowing joint patrols, although such patrols are currently planned.