The American officers, believed to be counter-terrorism experts, precede a group of about 100 U.S. troops expected to arrive in the region soon. 

However, although the U.S. officers will be armed at present American and Philippine officials say there are no plans for them to take a direct combat role. 
 

"This is to enhance the capability of our forces in fighting terrorism," he added. 

Based at the Philippine military' southern command the U.S. officers plan to work with the Philippine military in a training program dubbed "Balanced Piston," which teaches jungle warfare and survival techniques. 

Bin Laden link
The ultimate goal of the program is to root out the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, who operate in the southern Philippines and took dozens of hostages last year, including an American couple. 

The U.S. and Philippine militaries have worked together in the past on joint training exercises, but this U.S. initiative is the first one specifically directed at the Abu Sayyaf group. 

Washington has linked the group to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, blamed by Washington for the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington. 

Abu Sayyaf leaders say they are fighting for a separate Muslim homeland in the southern Philippines but government officials argue they are in fact little more than a brutal kidnap-for-ransom group. 

Military aid
Meanwhile in a separate development the Philippine armed forces has announced plans to take delivery later this month of five UH-1H (Huey) helicopters as military surplus from the U.S. 

The delivery will mark the latest stage of Washington's military assistance package to the Philippines. 

Last year the army received 100 trucks and a C-130 cargo transport aircraft as part of the same program. 

Officials say the U.S. government has earmarked more than $70 million for the Philippine military aid program this year in the wake of the September 11 attacks, up more than three times of the $22.1 million spent in 2001.