March 18, 2002, Sun Star Zamboanga, U S troops upbeat on Balikatan 2002, by Froilan Gallardo,

March 18, 2002, Sun Star Zamboanga, U S troops upbeat on Balikatan 2002, by Froilan Gallardo,

ZAMBOANGA -- For the past two months, US forces in the Philippines have never had it so good. Since they arrived here on Jan. 15 and Basilan, a month later, the Americans were met with pro-US rallies spearheaded by local officials fed up by the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf. 

Both residents and the military looked upon the US Special Forces as saviors and heroes. "Thank you, America," reads one poster carried by a Zamboanga resident at a pro-US rally last month." The arrival of the Americans is like the coming of reinforcements. We were grateful," said Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, Filipino director of the RP-US Balikatan 2002 military training exercise. 

Around 660 US Special Forces or Green Berets are deployed here and Basilan to "train, guide and assist" the Philippine military crush the Abu Sayyaf, which have links to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaida network. Teodosio said the US is considering to send additional troops to Basilan, a move that could open the terms of reference of the Balikatan 2002 for amendments.He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines are looking favorably to the US request. 

Maj. Cynthia Terramae, spokesperson of the US troops in the Philippines, said the deployment of additional American personnel is "a measure of flexibility" of the US military "to get things done" within the agreed terms  signed by Manila and Washington." It's been over two months since Balikatan began, and all levels the cooperation between the Philippine government and military has been excellent," Terramae said. 

President George Bush considers the Balikatan 2002 exercise, as the second front in the war against terrorism. Terramae said US Special Forces have already settled down with the Filipino troops in Basilan and is about to start the second phase of the training exercise. American casualties were not expected during the six-month training that would end on July 15. An American soldier was evacuated to Zamboanga City from Basilan, Wednesday night after getting sick of diarrhea. A bad case of eating unfamiliar food, officials said. Ten US servicemen died when a US Chinook went down in the Visayas last month. 

"Accidents are bound to happen with the flurry of activities here. Its Murphy's law," Teodosio said noting the endless drone of US aircraft taking off from Edward Andrews Air base to Basilan every night. At the jungle base of Upper Mahayahay in Maluso town in Basilan, Sergeant First Class Mark Lopez, A Green Beret, sipped from a cold soda can while sitting comfortably on a picnic chair, which was brought by helicopter the night before. 

The Americans brought in everything they needed for their stay in Basilan including planeloads of mineral water. They even introduced football rugby to the eager Filipino troops. The Americans slept on cots in huge tents while in Upper Mahayahay. Outside, Philippine Marines slept on their jungle hammocks in the open trenches. Teodosio said the training exercise is about to start its second phase next month. 

He said Lopez and around 150 US Special Forces will be sent back to Malagutay training camp in Zamboanga City where they would attend classes on what they have learn in the jungles of Basilan. A similar number of Filipino soldiers will also attend the classes, he said. 

After that, Teodosio said the US and Filipino soldiers will be sent back to Basilan and practiced what they have learned. "Accidents (are) bound to happen. There might be encounters between the Americans and the Abu Sayyaf. It would be a bonus if the Burnham couple will be rescued," Teodosio said.