U.S. commandos meet residents in Basilan area

U.S. commandos used bullet-proof Hummer vehicles as they tried to mingle with residents near Tabiawan, 10 kilometres from the heart of Isabela in Basilan, an area closer to the hinterland lair of the Abu Sayyaf group which is still holding two American missionaries and a Filipina nurse.

Some American soldiers showed their expertise in speaking the local language, a television report said. Sources said some of them could speak the Spanish-Filipino dialect in Zamboanga City and Basilan.

The American soldiers attended a flag ceremony and sang, at the top of their voices, the Philippine national anthem in Filipino.

"There's a school in Los Angeles which has taught soldiers how to speak your language," said an American soldier in halting Filipino.

They also managed to memorise the brigade song. They watched with interest a programme performed by Muslim dancers. The Americans were followed around by children who kept calling out, "Hey, Joe."

The American soldiers smiled back at the children who flocked around them as soon as their helicopter landed at the field, which was transformed into a landing strip.

The American soldiers were also ribbed by children who called out: "Osama (bin Laden) is here."
American soldiers are here to seek out terrorists. They also enjoyed the durian fruit with its fleshy cheese-like flavour and strong odour.

The Filipino and American troops gave free medical treatment, and showed movies in the plaza. "It's a getting to know you or breaking the ice kind of approach," said an official who requested anonymity.

Some of the U.S. soldiers were seen aboard pick-up trucks heading for undisclosed locations in Tabiawan.

People are believed to be welcoming the American soldiers, but many said the danger of the anti-U.S. presence should be expected among Muslim residents.

Many of the victims of the Abu Sayyaf group support the U.S. presence in the war zones. The sleepy town of Tabiawan, known for sporadic attacks by the Abu Sayyaf group and clashes between other groups and the military, is growing used to the sound of helicopters whirring above their thatched roofs, the movement of British-made Simba armoured personnel carriers and the sound of men advancing with their weapons.

Newly-elected Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor, Parouk Hussin, said there could be detractors among many Muslims in the area.

Tight security has been enforced in the whole area.

Some 30 of the 160 U.S. special forces arrived in Basilan last Sunday. A total of 160 American soldiers are expected to be in the war zone soon. They are among 660 U.S. soldiers engaged in the joint exercises.