Philippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said yesterday at a news conference in Honolulu that he needs more U.S. military help to quell Muslim extremists in the southern Philippines but wants deployment of U.S. forces withheld until their exact role can be determined. Philippines wants
clear U.S. roleManila's defense chief meets
with military leaders in Hawaii
on his way to WashingtonStar-Bulletin news services
Americans cannot engage in "offensive combat operations" on Philippine soil, Reyes said after meeting with Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of the U.S. forces in the Pacific, and before leaving for Washington to meet with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
"We say that we would rather hold deployment in connection with (military exercises) Balikatan 03-1 until after the final agreement on exactly the size and shape is reached," Reyes said. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced approval of the exercise last week as part of annual U.S.-Philippine military maneuvers to start next month.
"We don't envision U.S. forces being in charge, calling the shots," Reyes said, adding that the operation would be Philippine-led and U.S.-supported.
He said, however, that Philippine troops need the Americans to defeat the rebels.
"We need help," he said. "We're doing the job the best way we can, but definitely we are (without) the equipment that we need."
After Arroyo's announcement, Pentagon officials said last week that more than 1,000 U.S. troops, including 350 special-operations soldiers, would take part in combat missions against the militant Abu Sayyaf group in the Sulu Sea, mainly on the tiny southern island of Jolo. That report aroused a public outcry in the Philippines.
Reyes, accompanied by top Philippine military officers, said he would discuss terms of the U.S. deployment with Rumsfeld on Friday.
In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Davis acknowledged that discussions are continuing, but indicated yesterday that the exercises are ready to go.
"The United States and Philippine governments have agreed to conduct combined operations in the southern Philippines to disrupt and defeat the Abu Sayyaf group," he said. Davis said it has been agreed that the operations would be led by the Philippine military with "the assistance of U.S. forces."
A U.S.-backed Philippine offensive last year was credited with breaking up the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf, which is loosely linked to al-Qaida and notorious for kidnappings and killings. But the remaining rebels moved to Jolo Island, where the new operation is expected to take place.
Reyes insisted that terms of the U.S. involvement have yet to be worked out.
"That's what we will discuss," he said.
On the Philippine side, he said, three criteria must be met: no offensive combat role for U.S. troops, the Americans in a supporting role led by Filipinos, and nothing that goes against Philippine law.
On the American side, he said, there are concerns for force protection and the right U.S. soldiers will have to defend themselves.
Reyes said he had "intense discussion" with Fargo, but did not disclose details.
Reyes said the Abu Sayyaf once included up to 1,200 rebels and has now been reduced to about 450.