1.   American troops are already arriving in the Philippines to assist Filipino troops fighting the violent Muslim separatist group known as Abu Sayyaf.

2.   Filipino officials have sought assurances that Americans would not engage in combat while advising Filipino troops in the mountainous jungles of Basilan island.

3.   The Filipino leader said the soldiers went to train Filipino troops, not to rescue particular hostages.

4.   Pag-asa, which has an air strip, barracks and residences for military personnel and dependents, is one of several Spratly islands occupied by Filipino troops.

5.   A delegation of U.S. soldiers arrived in the southern Philippines on Tuesday to prepare for expected U.S. training of Filipino troops battling Muslim extremists, Philippine officials said.

6.   A few dozen Filipino troops are involved, he said.

7.   A rescue attempt by Filipino troops freed Mrs. Burnham but left her husband and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap dead.

8.   A U.S. Army official said recently that American troops have not seen any evidence of rights abuses by Filipino troops.

9.   A U.S. program to train Filipino troops got under way on Thursday.

10.   Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said sophisticated surveillance and communications equipment brought by U.S. forces could increase the mobility of Filipino troops pursuing Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.