US to expand airport in Mindanao militant stronghold

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The U.S. government will expand and renovate a strategic airport on a southern Philippine island where American forces have been helping Philippine troops fight al-Qaida-linked militants, officials said.

The US$3.7 million (?2.6 million) aid package for Jolo island, a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf rebels, was requested by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during a recent meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, American Ambassador Kristie Kenney said Monday.

Kenney said the funds were on top of US$190 million (?135 million) pledged by Washington over the next five years to improve the infrastructure and economy in the violence-torn southern Philippines.

Small groups of U.S. military instructors, intelligence personnel and engineers have been based in the south since 2002, providing non-combat support to their Philippine counterparts in ongoing offensives against Muslim militants.

On Jolo, they have been assisting with humanitarian and other efforts to win the support of the local Muslim population.

No details were provided about the expansion of the Jolo airport, which currently has just one, small building.

Kenney, who flew to Jolo to inaugurate a new road linking the provincial port with public markets, said part of the US$3.7 million aid package will be used to improve the water system on the island.

Clashes with militants on Jolo and nearby Basilan island have recently flared up, killing more than 50 Philippine troops in July and August.

Apart from the Abu Sayyaf, Indonesians Dulmatin and Umar Patek, key operatives of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, are believed to be on the run in the south. The two Indonesians are wanted by U.S. and Philippine authorities for allegedly helping mastermind the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 people.