Philippine press nervous about US presence

US troops may not be under Philippine command

By the BBC's Simon Ingram in Zamboanga

Newspapers in Zamboanga are reflecting concern about the launch of joint manoeuvres between the Philippine and US armies.

Americans might see this new phase in the war on terrorism as a good thing by definition, but the press show the worry that many Filipinos feel about the six months of military operations that lie ahead.

Anti-US protests are held almost daily

The Daily Tribune has a front-page photo of an anti-American demonstration yesterday in Manila.

Like others in recent weeks, it was staged by left-wing and nationalist groups who view the return of US forces on Philippine soil as a resurgence of hated "Yankee imperialism".

Under an "exclusive" headline, the same paper publishes what it says are extracts from the secret terms of reference for the joint military exercises.

These are said to allow American soldiers to decide whether or not to engage in combat with Abu Sayyaf guerrillas - a provision that exposes, according to the Tribune, a "barefaced lie" on the part of the Philippine Government.

Officials here have insisted all along that the American troops will take orders from Filipino commanders.

The pro-government newspapers take a rather more supportive view of the exercises.

The Philippine Star highlights a public opinion poll showing that 84% of Filipinos believe the government was right to solicit US help in the fight against terrorism.

It is not clear, however, whether a similar majority actually approve of the presence of US troops here - a doubtful proposition given the strong memories about the role Washington played during the years of the Marcos dictatorship.

There is no sign of sympathy for the Abu Sayyaf.

Fighting between birds, not men, is featured in one paper

The Manila Times instead has a cheery tale about four youngsters who this week deserted the rebel group after spending long months on the run from pursuing troops on the southern island of Basilan.

Having left behind their guns and their comrades, the paper reports, the boys gave themselves up to the authorities in the hope, as it puts it, of recovering the remnants of their lost youth.

Their first request, it seems, was for a meal at their favourite hamburger restaurant.

Oddly, one of the few papers not making much noise about the US troops is the Daily Zamboanga Times.

It instead regales its readers with a story from Washington about the US Justice Department, which, in a seemingly prudish spirit, has ordered curtains to conceal two semi-nude art deco statues in the department's Great Hall.

There is also a full page of reports and photographs looking ahead to Friday's cockfights at the Gallera de Zamboanga.

Over 100 participants will join the six-cock derby, the paper reports excitedly, predicting that local breeders will give the cockers from Manila - and that is the phrase they use - a good run for their money.