President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived in Zamboanga City yesterday as police dispersed dozens of anti-government protestors outside a military base denouncing the Philippines' joint war games with the U.S. on nearby Basilan island.

She vowed that her troops – with U.S. help – would hunt down guerrillas linked to Osama bin Laden.

"The operation of the Philippines and the United States is an expression of their determination not to give sanctuary or even a small place in the world for them to hide," Arroyo told a crowd of local officials, referring to the Abu Sayyaf.

Arroyo arrived under tight security and met senior military officials, led by Southern Command chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, before inspecting a government housing project in the largely Muslim village of Sinunuc, about 10 km east of Zamboanga City.

Policemen tore down placards and seized streamers before dispersing dozens of demonstrators belonging to the the militant group Anak (Children of Mindanao), outside the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Sta. Maria district.

"We opposed the war games because this will not bring anything good to us. The police curtailed our freedom of statement and they prevented us from holding a peaceful rally," said Mujiv Hataman, one of the group's leaders.

Heavily-armed soldiers lined the streets where Arroyo's convoy passed on its way to the coastal village of Sinunuc, where a huge crowd of Muslim villagers gathered to welcome her, many with placards supporting the war games dubbed Balikatan 02-1.

While at the air base, President Arroyo met behind closed doors with Gov. Parouk Hussin of the Muslim autonomous region and held a conference with the Regional Development Council.

She then visited a livelihood training and mat weaving centre and spoke briefly with villagers. Next she proceeded to a housing project for poor Muslims.

Police and military forces guarded the village while Arroyo was inspecting the housing project. Two Philippine Air Force (PAF) MG-520 attack choppers and two UH-1H helicopter gunships were seen flying over the area.

A Philippine Navy destroyer and a patrol boat, including two rubber boats carrying Navy seals, were spotted off the village.

She left Sinunuc 30 minutes later and attended an invitation by Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat to be guest of honour at the celebration of Zamboanga City's 65th founding anniversary.

Arroyo did not allow interviews with reporters, but she spoke about fighting terrorism at the stadium in the city's Tetuan district.

"For one thing, we can defeat terrorism completely if we have determination to fight consistently. We can defeat terrorism if we fight together and stay vigilant," Arroyo noted as she spoke in the local dialect Chavacano, a combination of Spanish and native dialects.

The Philippine Information Agency said President Arroyo will stay overnight at the Southern Command. She also appealed for support to the ongoing anti-terrorism training between the Philippines and the United States.

"We can destroy the Abu Sayyaf. We should support the Balikatan," she explained.

The Abu Sayyaf rebels, whose group is tied to Al Qaida, is still holding a kidnapped U.S. missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham, and a Filipino nurse, Deborah Yap, on Basilan island, about 15 nautical miles south of Zamboanga City.

Last Sunday, more than 10,000 city residents staged a march-rally in support of Balikatan.