U.S. military engineers ready to build in Philippines

Hundreds of U.S. construction troops land in Philippines to aid offensive

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Sunday, April 21, 2002

FUEGO FUEGO BEACH, Philippines -- More than 300 U.S. military engineers bringing bulldozers and heavy equipment landed on a Philippine island Saturday to work on construction projects to help an American-backed offensive against Muslim extremists.

U.S. officials said the troops will, among other things, build roads and helicopter landing zones and clear an unused airstrip for the 160 U.S. Special Forces soldiers training Filipino troops fighting the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group, which is holding three people hostage.

The Abu Sayyaf have held American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham of Wichita, Kan., for more than 10 months. They and a Philippine nurse are the last hostages from a rebel kidnapping spree that began last May.

The Special Forces are part of a 660-strong U.S. military contingent involved in "Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines," an expansion of the U.S.-led war on terrorism.

"Our mission here is to train, advise and assist the Philippine military to beat terrorism in the southern Philippines," said Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, commander of the U.S. forces.

"We need ... to improve their ability to move, to arrive at places where terrorists will be conducting their action, and to be able to reinforce their forces when they attack," he said, adding that the Americans also are providing communications and intelligence help.

Bringing bulldozers and heavy equipment, 340 Marine engineers and Navy Seabees from the Naval Construction Task Group based in Okinawa, Japan, landed at Fuego Fuego Beach, adjacent to a Philippine army camp on Basilan, a day after getting Manila's approval for the additional forces.

They were brought ashore by landing craft from the USS Germantown, anchored near the mouth of a channel off Basilan.

Marine Lt. Col. Brian Hearnsberger, commander of the construction task group, said his forces may need about 60 days to finish their work. But he added that he wants some flexibility.

Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, head of the Philippine military's Southern Command, and Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar were among local officials welcoming the new forces.

Akbar climbed up the first bulldozer and shook hands with the driver, Marine Staff Sgt. Shawn Taylor.

"You're very, very welcome," Akbar said.

Philippine officials, worried about the political backlash of an increased U.S. military presence, have insisted the arrival of the new troops is only for civic projects. The Philippine government has made development in the Muslim-dominated south a top priority, saying the wrenching poverty in the area incubates extremists like the Abu Sayyaf.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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