31.   Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld disclosed Tuesday that U.S. troops have arrived in the Philippines to train and support Philippine troops fighting Abu Sayyaf.

32.   Elite Philippine troops captured six more rebels as they fled the fighting.

33.   Early last month, five armed Chinese ships and two smaller boats were sighted near two islands occupied by Philippine troops in the Spratlys.

34.   Groups of U.S. officers from the Special Operations Commands based in Hawaii have visited Philippine troops in Zamboanga and Basilan.

35.   Her trip came four days after Philippine troops freed U.S. hostage Gracia Burnham, whom the rebels held for a year.

36.   He said Philippine troops consider Freedom Island an isolated and lonely post.

37.   He said the hut, earlier reported to have been dismantled, will be removed by Philippine troops.

38.   In mid-April, Philippine troops rescued an American held for nearly eight months by Abu Sayyaf.

39.   Mercado said he also has accepted an invitation by Vietnam for Philippine troops to participate in soccer games in Hanoi in December.

40.   Muslim rebels holding three Americans and other hostages clashed with Philippine troops Tuesday for the second time since they escaped from a besieged hospital with their captives in tow.