US military advisors are to provide training to Philippine soldiers fighting the Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerrilla movement in the south of their country.
The advisors will offer intelligence co-operation and supply equipment as well as training the 7,000 troops who are currently stationed in the Abu Sayyaf stronghold on Basilan Island.
Basilan Island is in the south-western Philippines
This latest development will do little to support America’s claims that its so-called "war on terrorism" is not a campaign against Islam.
In return for the training, the Philippines has agreed to allow the US to use its airspace during attacks on Afghanistan.