Canberra has denied Australian SAS troops have been involved in terrorist-hunting operations in the southern Philippines.
A report in News Ltd newspapers on Saturday claimed about 20 SAS soldiers took part in a joint US-Philippines military campaign running over the past two months to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf terror group.
Abu Sayyaf is believed to have been sheltering Indonesian Jemaah Islamiah terrorists Dulmatin and Umar Patek, wanted for their part in the blasts on Bali that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
But the Department of Defence said Philippines laws prevented Australian troops participating in operations.
"The Australian Defence Force has not been involved in counter terrorism operations in the Philippines," Defence said in a statement.
"Australia does not have any ADF personnel deployed to the Philippines on operations. The Australian government respects the Philippines' Constitution which prohibits operations with foreign forces without a treaty level agreement."
Defence said one special forces officer went to the Philippines to observe a joint US-Philippines operation in March this year, but did not take part.
"This exercise undertakes civil-military activities and does not involve operations," it said.
"The Australian officer was observing the US-Philippines exercise planning process and at no time was he involved in operations of any kind."
Defence said it was working with the Philippines to develop a patrol of up to 30 boats suitable for the riverine and marshland areas of Mindanao, but the plan would not involve troop operations in the Philippines.
Similarly, Australia's annual counter-hijack training in the Philippines did not involve operations, it said. (The Age/AAP)
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