January 7, 2002, Philippine Daily Inquirer, US military advisers going to battlefront, by Carlito Pablo,

January 7, 2002, Philippine Daily Inquirer, US military advisers going to battlefront, by Carlito Pablo, 

AMERICAN military consultants will be allowed to take a "closer look" at the battlefront and advise Filipino ground commanders on how to engage the Abu Sayyaf, according to presidential spokesperson Rigoberto Tiglao.

Tiglao said the more active role to be played by American military "consultants" in the war against the Abu Sayyaf was part of the "heightened cooperation" agreed upon by the Philippines and the United States in the fight against terrorism.

The US had previously confined its assistance to the training of Filipino troops and the supply of advanced military equipment to the Philippines.

President Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to announce this week the final form the joint battle plan presented to her by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Pacific Command would take.

The battle plan involves the sending in of more US military consultants who will play a bigger role and offer additional expertise, including the use of psychological warfare, in the effort to finally neutralize the hostage-taking Abu Sayyaf.

"They (US consultants) could be brought in to the battalion level just for a closer look," Tiglao told Palace reporters. "It would be hard for these consultants to function if they confined themselves to Manila, Zamboanga City or Basilan."

The battalion level means the frontlines in military jargon.

Tiglao said, however, the US consultants would not be allowed to issue orders to Filipino ground units during actual operations, or even "order someone to make coffee for them."

"They would just advise or be consulted," Tiglao said, when asked what role they would play when actual firefights erupt in the field between government forces and the Abu Sayyaf.

Tiglao had previously stressed the experts would not go the way of American military advisers in Vietnam where US forces eventually went into combat.

"By definition, they are consultants," Tiglao said.

He said the Americans would be allowed to keep their sidearms, however.

"Sidearms are part of their uniform. It's standard anywhere in the world," Tiglao said.

At the same time, Tiglao denied reports that US Special Forces were setting up their own jungle camp in Basilan.

"There are plans for heightened cooperation but never can there be a base (in this country) for any foreign power," Tiglao said.

Tiglao said the American consultants would be under the "strict command and supervision of Filipino commanders."