41.   Nazareno, however, suggested that Philippine troops would consider retaliating if attacked.

42.   One of the Malaysians recalled the intense firefight between the kidnappers and Philippine troops.

43.   Sabah lies near the mostly Muslim southern Philippines, and separatists battling Philippine troops have fled to the Malaysian state in the past.

44.   That could help determine if Burnham was shot by Abu Sayyaf or caught in the cross fire of Philippine troops.

45.   That simple message from elite Philippine troops triggered the bloody surprise attack that ended a yearlong hostage crisis in the southern Philippines.

46.   The countries are working on a similar agreement governing the legal rights of Philippine troops who participate in military exercises in the United States.

47.   The United States has sent military observers to help train Philippine troops to fight Muslim extremists in that country.

48.   The United States has been providing Philippine troops with weapons and training to crush the Abu Sayyaf, a loose band of a few hundred men in both islands.

49.   The two-hour fighting lasted about two hours, he said, and included hundreds of Philippine troops.

50.   Thousands of Philippine troops pursued fleeing Muslim rebels Saturday and helicopter gunships strafed their hide-outs from the air.