Hawai'i major welcomed in Philippines

Associated Press

Maj. Cynthia Teramae of Hawai'i greeted Filipino supporters in Zamboanga City during the opening ceremony of the joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.

The Americans are training Filipino soldiers who are fighting Muslim extremists in the Philippines. The main threat is the Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked to the al-Qaida terror network.

Teramae, a U.S. military spokeswoman, has said the Americans are not in the Philippines for combat but are prepared to defend themselves.