MANILA, June 14 - Armed US troops are on the ground near the besieged Marawi City in the Philippines, but they are in a support role and not participating in fighting Islamic State militants, a Philippines military spokesman said on Wednesday. 'There are some US personnel who are operating equipment to provide information on situation awareness to our troops,' Brigadier General Restituto Padilla told a news conference. 'I do not know the exact number and the specific mission. They are allowed to carry rifles for self-defense. But they are not allowed to fight, they only provide support,' he said.
