US troops have come under fire in the Philippines for the first time since
they began joint operations to crush Abu Sayyaf rebels. 
About 10 suspected rebels fired briefly on US military engineers working on
a road project in Maligue on the southern island of Basilan

US Marines guarding them returned fire, resulting in an unknown number of
casualties. 

Security has now been stepped up, but the US said similar infrastructure
projects being undertaken by the US troops would not be affected. 

More than 1,000 US troops are in the southern Philippines helping local forces
in hunting the Abu Sayyaf, who have been linked to the al-Qaeda network of
Osama bin Laden. 

Some 340 of them are US engineers, known as the Seabees, who are building
roads, wells and rebuilding an abandoned airstrip in Basilan. 

Hostage killed 

A number of Abu Sayyaf rebels are known to be in the island's dense jungle.


The Americans are barred from taking part in combat except in self-defence.


But defence department spokesman Melchor Rosales said the US Marines had acted
within the guidelines that governed the joint operations. 

US Navy construction teams are also building bridges, ports and helicopter
landing zones to help the Philippine military move around the island and
foster goodwill among the island's 300,000 residents. 

Two weeks ago Filipino forces recovered US hostage Gracia Burnham in a bloody
rescue in which her husband, Martin, and a Filipina nurse were killed. 
   
 
Full coverage 


'Dirty bomb' threat
What is a 'dirty bomb'?
Health effects
Terror fight questioned
'Dirty bomb' suspect
Q&A: Legal wrangling 


Intelligence war
Security super-agency
Q&A: US intelligence
Intelligence failings 


Afghan operation
Continuing threat
Long war?
Bounty threat
Mobility the key 


Worldwide campaign
Map: War on terror
Somalia's role 
Yemen battle 

 TALKING POINT 
 
How should the US treat suspects? 

 FORUM 
 
The al-Qaeda network 

 IN DEPTH 
 
Inside Camp X-Ray
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America's Day of Terror
The investigation 
 

See also:


11 Jun 02 | Asia-Pacific
Freed US hostage welcomed home 
19 Mar 02 | Asia-Pacific
Eyewitness: Philippines' lawless island 
06 Dec 01 | Asia-Pacific
Guide to Philippines conflict 
Internet links:


Philippines president's office
US Army
US embassy in Philippines

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Top Asia-Pacific stories now:


Suu Kyi speaks out for women 
Korea's golden moment 
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US troops under fire in Philippines 
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Links to more Asia-Pacific stories are at the foot of the page. 

 
 
 
OOPS 2.

3 responses total.

i had a nightmare this morning that i was endless paging through text with
More. 

you make my nightmares come true.

Well, so much for U.S. troops in the Phillipines 'not being involved in
combat.'  Of course, we all knew things wouldn't stay that way.

        In the early 1960's in 'Nam it was just "police action".
        They were "advisors".

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