President Arroyo ruled out the participation of her country's troops in any coalition attack on Iraq. That's because Arroyo, a staunch supporter of the Washington-led war on terror, has enough on her plate at home. The Philippines faces the very real prospect of retaliatory attacks by Muslim militants on American and other foreign targets if the United States launches a war against Iraq. 

President Bush is on the verge of escalating his worldwide war against terrorism by authorizing Special Forces now in the Philippines to train the Philippine Army to also fight the Abu Sayyaf extremist group. The first SF units into the fight would be four six-man teams. Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki is visiting the Philippines this week and will discuss the joint campaign against terrorism. - Adam Geibel

The NPA announced it would increase it's attacks if the US invades Iraq.