U.S. forces could face Philippine combat role

U.S. forces are barred from offensive operations, but can defend themselves if attacked

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Special Forces training the Philippine army in counter-terrorism look set to expand their role to include maneuvers that could see them exposed to combat situations, under a plan now approved by the Pentagon.

Under the plan, some 25 companies of Philippine troops would be trained, with the possibility that Special Forces instructors may accompany them into the field to advise on actual operational missions, Pentagon sources have told CNN.

The U.S. troops would be armed for self-defense, but will also be exposed to the possibility of being in a combat situation, the sources say.

The Philippine government is expected to give the final sign-off on the plan in the next few days.

The training will be done by the 160 U.S. Special Forces troops now in the country.

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The Philippine troops would be trained in groups of between 100 and 125, with training completed by the July 31 deadline for the ongoing joint U.S.-Philippine program.

Until now the program has been focused on training higher-ranking officers in the Philippine Army, with training at the battalion level, and U.S. forces have not gone out on patrol.

The announcement of the new plan comes after U.S. forces came under attack Monday on the southern Philippine island of Basilan.

The attack on two U.S. Marines and an unknown number of Philippine military forces guarding a Navy construction depot was the first time American forces have come under attack since their deployment in February to train Philippine troops as part of the war against terrorism. (Full story)

Pentagon officials believe members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group, which has been linked to Osama bin Laden, staged the attack.

In total, the U.S. forces deployed to the Philippines number about 1,300, including military engineers working on infrastructure, such as building wells, landing zones and roads.

Under the Philippine constitution non-Filipino troops are not allowed to take offensive military action on Philippine territory, but they can defend themselves if they come under fire.