DAR AL HARB - U.S.A./PHILLIPINES: GREATER COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES & THE PHILLIPINES WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING THE 'WAR ON TERROR'

Philippines, US to enhance military cooperation against terrorism

Manila - The Philippines and the United States on Wednesday vowed to boost military cooperation in fighting terrorism to ensure that al-Qaeda-linked militants hiding in the Asian country's troubled south would be neutralized.

But Admiral Timothy Keating, chief of the US Pacific Command, who was in Manila for a visit, said there was no plan to increase the number of American military forces stationed in the Philippines.

Keating said the United States would continue to assist the Philippine military in training personnel and acquiring equipment to fight terrorism and other security threats.

'We agreed to accelerate the process that will provide hardware to the Armed Forces of the Philippines,' he said after meeting with the Philippine Armed Forces chief of staff, General Hermogenes Esperon.

Keating and Esperon discussed various activities between the two militaries for the next five years at an annual defence meeting in Manila.

'The Philippines and the US reaffirmed their commitment to defend one another against common threats, and we will continue cooperation in responding to various security concerns in the region,' the two officials said in a joint statement.

'We believe that only by reinforcing cooperative efforts can lasting peace and security in this part of the globe be achieved,' they added.

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