MANILA, Philippines -- A team from the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACom) is flying to Sulu and Zamboanga City to investigate reports that American forces have joined local troops in combat operations.

"This group headed by Undersecretary Edilberto Adan will proceed to Zamboanga and Sulu to investigate the allegations,'' Brigadier General Jorge Segovia, acting chief of the Armed Forces command center, said at the Sulo Hotel press forum.

He declined further comment so as not to preempt the results of VFACom investigation.

An American soldier was reported hurt when Abu Sayyaf rebels attacked Philippine Marines in a logistics run in Patikul, Sulu, on August 30, but the military denied this. Four Marines were killed in the ambush.

"No US personnel was involved,'' Colonel Ernesto Torres, AFP public information officer, told reporters after the forum.

Zamboanga City Mayor Mannix Dalipe on Saturday also wondered why the US forces had been allowed by the government to overstay in the city.

Segovia said he doubted that US forces had taken part in local combat, saying that the VFA prohibits this.

"They're more into humanitarian missions. But as far as engaging in combat, they're not involved,'' he said after the forum.

Besides, he added: "As a soldier and officer, I want the conflict to be fought by us. The military would not allow anybody to lead local operations.''