It is 10 years since US troops withdrew from the Philippines. The people voted in a referendum in favour of closing their bases. Miriam Donohoe, reports from Manila.
But now US soldiers are back, and there is real fear that the country may become the next battleground after Afghanistan in the American-led war on terrorism.
The US and the Philippines have set in motion joint military manoeuvres, described as training exercises; 650 American troops are to teach Filipino soldiers how to fight the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic fundamentalist group linked to al-Qaeda.
There is some concern that the US troops may swing into action to rescue the two Americans being held by Abu Sayyaf on Basilan Island for the last eight months. But the opposition to the US presence is not enough to cause much concern for the Philippine President, Ms Gloria Arroyo, and her administration.
A small group opposed to the arrival of the military in Zamboanga gathered outside the US embassy in Manila for the third day in a row yesterday. But the protest virtually went unnoticed.
The real action was near Roxas Boulevard, where thousands gathered for a religious festival. This section of the city came to a virtual standstill as a colourful parade passed by, headed by a statue of the Virgin Mary on a throne.
The parade was a timely reminder, amidst the Muslim terrorist threat, that the Philippines is a predominately Catholic country. At the international airport yesterday, the public address system announced Mass in the airport chapel.
"I am delighted that the Americans are here. Anyone that can help us fight these terrorists is welcome," said Mr Edwin Cabrera, a father of two children. "These terrorists have to be beaten."
Taxi-driver Mr Aquilino Castro was born in Mindanao but moved to the capital to find work. "The terrorists there have been causing a lot of trouble in recent years. I am happy to see the US soldiers here to teach us how to fight them in the jungle. I look forward to the day when I can go back to Mindanao and find work."
In an interview with the Washington Post yesterday, President Arroyo said she had told President Bush she wanted to see US troops in the country for not longer than six months.
She said there were terrorist cells all over the region. "Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines decided we would help one another fight terrorism and other trans-national crimes that occur in our common seas with joint patrols. We decided to do interdictions and exchange intelligence information."
Ms Arroyo said there was evidence of an active al-Qaeda presence in the Philippines up until 1995.
"We came across evidence about the perpetrators of the \ World Trade Centre bombing. We were able to help the US convict them." Asked if she believed Abu Sayyaf still has links with al-Qaeda, the President said: "Our evidence goes up to 1995."
While she conceded there was some opposition to the troops, President Arroyo said the latest survey showed 83 per cent of people approved of the US presence.
Meanwhile, Muslim separatists warned yesterday during peace talks with Manila that they would shoot US troops who strayed onto their turf.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it was keeping "a high level of alertness in Basilan", where US troops are to join patrols during the six -month joint military training exercise.