1.  Philippine defense officials have repeatedly denied the claim.

2.  Philippine defense officials say the American soldiers will not target the Communists.

3.  Philippine defense chief Orlando Mercado said Tuesday that China has completed its enlargement of structures on a Philippine-claimed reef in the disputed Spratly islands.

4.  A communist rebel chief has ordered intensified attacks on government targets despite peace talks between the rebels and the government, the Philippine defense chief said Tuesday.

5.  China may take control of an area around one of the islets in the disputed Spratly Island chain claimed by the Philippines, the Philippine defense secretary said Monday.

6.  Security preparations for the November summit are to be discussed next week at an annual meeting of U.S. and Philippine defense officials in Hawaii.

7.  The Manila government will ask Muslim rebels to stop executing people convicted by Islamic courts as a condition for continuing peace talks, the Philippine defense secretary said Monday.

8.  The Philippine defense department released aerial photos last week of two Chinese supply ships in contested waters.

9.  The Philippine defense official said talks were intensified last year.

10.  The Philippine defense secretary assured his Malaysian counterpart Monday that his country will continue cooperative relations in defense with Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations.