Lorenzana: US troops aiding PHL Army in fight vs. terrorism in Mindanao

US troops have been providing assistance to the Philippine Army in its operations against terror attacks in Mindanao, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday.

"We got assistance from the Americans," Lorenzana said during a forum in Camp Aguinaldo.

This included US assets helping to fly wounded Filipino soldiers to Zamboanga City as the operation against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu continues.

"They helped us immediately...they were first to rescue our assets also, to bring [our] wounded to Zamboanga," Lorenzana said.

Aside from giving assistance to the wounded soldiers, the US has also helped by relaying intelligence reports on possible terror threats to its Philippine counterpart.

"They have been helping us track these terrorists even before the bombing [in Jolo]," Lorenzana said.

Singapore and Indonesia also warned the Philippine government about possible terror attacks prior to the Jolo blasts, he said. — BM, GMA News