The United States is preparing for a two-year war against terrorists in Afghanistan, Philippine National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said ascribing the information to the Commander in chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Thomas Fargo.

The Admiral was surveying the former Subic Naval base in Olongapo Zambales when he made the remark.

"A long drawn out campaign should be expected, lasting more than one year, possibly two years, considering that the military situation is very different from any campaign participated in by U.S. forces in modern times," Golez quoted Fargo as saying.

At the same time, Fargo said the U.S. would assist the Philippines in fighting the Abu Sayyaf group which is holding American nationals and 16 Filipinos hostages in Basilan, southern Philippines.

"We discussed the possible transfer of excess defence articles (from the U.S.) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in connection with the effort against the Abu Sayyaf Group, especially the 35-knotter Cyclone patrol boats that are ideal in the Basilan-Sulu area, (in Mindanao)," said Golez.

He added: "There will be more diplomatic and financial offensives in the coming days."

The Philippine military, will seek assistance from the U.S. in the acquisition of helicopters and other equipment to help in the rapid deployment of troops in its campaign against the Abu Sayyaf.

The U.S. had identified the Abu Sayyaf Group as one of the 27 international terrorist groups, following the destruction of the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in New York and Washington D.C. on September 11. Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, believed to be hidden by the Taliban ruling party in Afghanistan, is suspected as the mastermind in the U.S. attacks.

The Philippine government believes he has also funded the Abu Sayyaf Group, "The U.S. military aircraft is expected to enter the Philippine air space in the coming days, as well as those expected to use the former U.S. military bases (in Subic and Clark ) and other facilities," Golez said, adding he got this data during a briefing from other U.S. military officers who were with Fargo.

"The U.S. government greatly appreciates the immediate expressions of support by the Philippines to the U.S.," said Fargo.

Fargo inspected the Subic facilities earlier and said he was impressed by what he saw. The Philippine senate rejected the U.S. proposed 10-year extension of the defunct Military Bases Agreement (MBA) in 1991.

Fargo and Golez were classmates at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.

They held a dinner-meeting on Wednesday on national security and the resumption of the U.S.' use of the former U.S. bases.

At least 12 American military personnel arrived at the former U.S. Clark Airbase on Monday, even though the U.S. military has cancelled all joint military exercises with the Philippines Armed Forces, sources said.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Fleet is the world's largest, with 190 ships and submarines and 1,400 aircraft.

Some 191,000 sailors and marines, and 30,000 civilians are deployed in U.S. war facilities in Japan and South Korea. Four U.S. military aircraft have made several refuelling stops at Mactan Air base in the central Philippines.