Four Muslim militants killed as US troops end Philippine exercises

JOLO, Philippines, March 3, 2007 (AFP) - Four Muslim militant Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed in fresh fighting in the southern Philippine island of Jolo, officials said Saturday, as US troops prepared to conclude joint exercises on the island.

"Based on intelligence reports on the ground, four rebels were killed and six of my soldiers were wounded," in fighting on Thursday, said local army commander Colonel Mark Supnet.

"We will continue with our relentless effort against the Abu Sayyaf until they are wiped out," Supnet said, vowing to press the offensive against the al-Qaeda-linked group which has carried out the worst terror attacks in this country.

Some 10,000 Philippine soldiers have been deployed in Jolo island in recent months to destroy the Abu Sayyaf and capture two Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who have taken refuge with the group.

The two Indonesians are suspected of involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings that left more than 200 people dead.

Scores of American soldiers have been dispatched to the island since February 19 as part of the Balikatan (Joined Arms) military exercises with Filipino troops, although the US said they were only there on the island to help with civic projects.

In ceremonies marking the close of Balikatan, US ambassador Kristie Kenney said the American soldiers would be turning over a newly-completed road and a schoolhouse they renovated as part of the exercise.

Speaking at the impoverished town of Indanan, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, Kenney said that the US troops had only taken part in medical assistance projects and other projects to raise living standards in Jolo island and had not engaged in any combat activities.

"Balikatan is ending and it has been two weeks of intensive medical projects. We are going to continue ... some of these projects. We will keep going. Jolo is an important part of the country and its people deserve a chance for peace," she said.

Despite the end of the exercises, she said some American soldiers would remain in Jolo. "They are advising the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). Our troops are only here to advise and assist as the AFP requested," she said.

The Abu Sayyaf and the JI are both on the US government's list of foreign terrorist organisations. US intelligence help has led to the deaths of top Abu Sayyaf leaders, but experts say the groups still pose a major threat.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped three Americans in 2001, leading to the deaths of two of the captives.