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MANILA (AFP) - Some 1,400 US troops are en route to the southern Philippines to take part in joint military exercises in areas threatened by Islamic militants, the US embassy here said Thursday.

The combined naval tactical operations exercise, to start on May 31, would be held in the southern port of Zamboanga and the nearby island of Basilan, an embassy statement said.

The manoeuvres are "designed to enhance the ability of our nations to work together in maritime situations that range from natural disasters to maritime interception of criminals and terrorists," it said.

They include "a tactical scenario where the US and Philippine navies will operate together in teams, focussing on improving communication and information sharing."

Basilan is a hotbed of the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group linked to the Al-Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden, while the Zamboanga port has been a frequent target of Abu Sayyaf bombings.

Small numbers of US military advisers are already operating in these areas, providing intelligence and training to Filipino troops conducting a sweep for Abu Sayyaf units.

Two American civilians were kidnapped and later killed by the Abu Sayyaf in 2001, while in 2002 a US military adviser was killed by a bomb planted by the Abu Sayyaf in a Zamboanga bar.

The embassy said approximately 1,400 US personnel would be involved in the exercises. The Philippine Navy will send a counterpart team.