51.   U.S. troops began a six-month mission earlier this year to help the under-trained and under-equipped Philippine troops.

52.   Under the agreement, Americans will not engage in combat but may observe Philippine troops in combat zones.

53.   U.S. forces helped plan the operation in which Philippine troops hunted down Abu Sayyaf rebels who had been holding hostages for more than a year, the Pentagon said.

54.   U.S. Special Forces soldiers are helping Philippine troops in a counterterrorism exercise aimed at wiping out the group.

55.   U.S. Special Forces troops are on Basilan island in the southern Philippines on a six-month mission to train and advise Philippine troops.

56.   U.S. troops are conducting a six-month counterterrorism training exercise for Philippine troops in the southern Philippines to help them crush the Abu Sayyaf.

57.   U.S. troops began a six-month mission early this year to help the badly under-trained and under-equipped Philippine troops fight the Abu Sayyaf.

58.   Gracia Burnham was injured when Philippine troops moved in to rescue the couple and another hostage, who was also killed.

59.   He did not say if the Philippine troops already on the islands had made any form of response.

60.   American missionary Martin Burnham and Filipina hostage Ediborah Yap were killed when Philippine troops mounted a rescue attempt in Zamboanga del Norte.