The deployment of American troops on a Philippine island riddled with Muslim guerrillas linked to Osama bin Laden should be a warning to militants of America's resolve to rid the world of terror, a U.S. special forces officer said yesterday.

The tough message came hours after suspected dissidents exploded a homemade bomb at a public market on the nearby island of Jolo, killing four people and wounding 45.

"Our presence here and our resolve speaks for itself," the officer, who asked to be identified only as "Major Sam", said at the Philippine army brigade headquarters on the outskirts of Isabela, provincial capital of rebel-infested Basilan island.

The U.S. presence on Basilan "thus sends a strong message that... the government of the United States is very serious with its efforts to rid the world of terrorism," the major said.

The officer is a member of a 21-man advance team now on Basilan to prepare for the arrival of 160 soldiers belonging to America's elite special forces.

The soldiers, who begin arriving today, will train Philippine troops in counter-terrorism and guerrilla warfare.

The aim of the planned six-month exercise in the jungles of Basilan is to help defeat the Abu Sayyaf, linked by the United States to Saudi-born militant bin Laden, prime suspect in the September 11 attack on New York and Washington.

About 10 km from the camp, thousands of Philippine troops pressed their hunt for about 80 guerrillas who have been holding a U.S. missionary couple and a Filipina nurse hostage for nearly nine months.

The Philippine Army's 103rd Brigade Commander Colonel Alexander Aleo said his troops were prepared to protect American soldiers from any Abu Sayyaf attacks during the training exercise.

"I am not aware of any threat but we are prepared, we anticipate that considering they are American soldiers, the threat is there," Aleo said.

"We are prepared to face the threat. The American soldiers have been briefed and they say they can defend themselves."

While Aleo and the U.S. major spoke to reporters, U.S. military helicopters continued to pour in sophisticated military equipment and supplies, including combat rations, into the army camp facing the shimmering Basilan strait.

Other U.S. soldiers riding in new pick-up vans with tinted windows moved out of the camp to set up communications and other equipment in the interior of the jungle-clad island to be used in the military exercises starting early next week.

The exercise calls for the U.S. Special Forces troops to join Filipino soldiers in patrols through the mountainous 1,200 sq km island.

Basilan, about three times the size of Singapore, has a largely Muslim population who provide food and sanctuary to the Abu Sayyaf.

Major Sam said his men were aware of the hazards of venturing into the jungles of Basilan where the guerrillas enjoy mastery of the terrain.

"We take great precaution to mitigate the risk in everything we do. Our soldiers are extremely well trained ... We take the proper precautions and we are confident in our abilities," the major said.