PHILIPPINES (voa) – The head of U.S. forces conducting joint training exercises in the southern Philippines says his troops are ready to take casualties to help that country fight Muslim extremists.
Brigadier General Donald Wurster says there is no question U.S. soldiers will be in harm’s way during the six-month operation to wipe out Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels.
As part of the training U.S. Special Forces troops will accompany Filipino soldiers in combat, but will be forbidden to use their weapons except in self-defense.
General Wurster also said the Philippine military has taken risks to help America. He referred to the deaths of more than 40 Philippine soldiers trying to rescue an American missionary couple and a Philippine nurse held captive by the Abu Sayyaf rebels.
As many as 600 U.S. troops ultimately will be involved in the joint operation, which was formally launched last week. Officials from both sides have said the Americans will not be directly involved in combat.
Two Philippine lawyers have challenged the U.S. deployment with a petition to the Supreme Court. They argue the training mission violates the constitution which bars foreign troops from engaging in combat while deployed in the country. The court has given the government 10 days to explain the deployment.
