Militant groups held protest rallies nationwide as President Gloria Arroyo received support from the National Security Council (NSC) and the opposition and pro-administration senators for the expanded war games between U.S. and Philippine troops in southern Philippines war-one.

Women's groups held protest rallies in front of the U.S. embassy, saying there would be prostitution in the areas where the American soldiers would be encamped, in Zamboanga City, Basilan Island, both in southern Philippines and in Cebu City, central Philippines.

Pro and anti-U.S. protesters held rallies upon the arrival of 31 American soldiers headed by Deputy U.S. military commander for the training exercise, Col. William Boll, at Zamboanga airport. "Those in Manila do not know how much we need the Americans," said one pro-American protester.

All the anti-U.S. protesters aired the statement of Texas-based think tank Strategic Forecasting Inc (Stratfor) that she would not finish the end of her term in 2004, because of her recent policy to allow American troopers to quash the Abu Sayyaf group which is holding a Filipina nurse and two American missionaries hostages in the hinterlands of Basilan.

"I don't think that would happen," said pro-administration Senator Franklin Drilon.

"If it is proven that her policy was unconstitutional, maybe she would be castigated," said opposition Senator Blas Ople.

Meanwhile, armed forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said the promised assault rifles and military equipment from the U.S. to the Philippines is coming soon.

It was a confirmation of the comment made by an anonymous U.S. official who said the U.S. is giving the Philippines eight helicopters, a high-speed naval vessel and 30,000 M-16 rifles which can be used in joint operations against Abu Sayyaf.

Adan said the 30,000 rifles and the high-speed naval vessel are not yet available, but pointed out that military communication equipment promised is already in Manila.

The U.S. military has sent C70 transport plane at the Zamboanga airport, Adan said.

Five of the eight helicopters are already in the assembly stage and can be used for the coming joint military exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines, said Adan.

The shipment is part of the U.S. military package that Arroyo brought home from her U.S. trip last year. Most of the equipment will be used in the upcoming military exercises.

Meanwhile, future military exercises will have to be approved by Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and not by Arroyo, according to Victoriano Lecaros, spokesperson of the department of foreign affairs.

The visiting forces agreement commission (VFACom) headed by Ambassador Jaime Yambao would continue to strictly monitor all war games.

There were speculation that Malacañang had "clipped" Guingona's powers over the issue of visiting U.S. troops which he did not approve of.

"While the president is the architect of foreign policy, I cannot imagine her taking over the vice president's function and signing approvals each time American troops come in," he said. "That's inconceivable. She has better things to worry about."

Lecaros said it was only on the issue of the deployment of 660 U.S. troops that the president would give her approval, as per the opinion issued by Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, her official adviser.

Lecaros also denied that Guingona had been ordered to desist from further talking against the current joint exercise.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives said they it not force Guingona to attend a committee hearing on the controversial war games, said congressman Apolinario Lozada.

But the senate scheduled another hearing for Guingona, adding he would be capable of clarifying the issues regarding the joint military exercises between the U.S. and the Philippine governments, said Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Francis Pangilinan.

"The explanation on the constitutionality of the war exercises was satisfactory but there remain questions only the vice president can answer, specifically, on the participation of the department of foreign affairs in the Balikatan exercises," Drilon said.

"Theoretically, it looks consistent with our constitution and the provisions of the VFA. But it's still unclear what will happen when the action begins in the combat zones," said Pangilinan, adding, "What will happen if the American soldiers are fired at or get hurt during the exercises? Will they not retaliate or join in the actual war?"

At the end of the investigation, the foreign affairs and defence and national security will issue recommendations on the war games in a committee report, Drilon said.