MANILA, June 1, 2009 (AFP) - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Monday vowed stepped-up support for the Philippines in its battle against homegrown Islamic militant groups linked to Al Qaeda.

Gates, in the first visit by an American defence secretary here in 10 years, said defence ties between the two nations "needs to evolve into a broader, strategic one" with the Philippines playing a greater regional security role.

"Over the last decade, the Philippines has faced a number of security challenges and has met them squarely," Gates said, adding that his government "will continue to strongly support" efforts against extremists.

"Together we will not relent until this threat has been eliminated," said Gates, who was on a flying visit to Manila after attending security talks in Singapore.

The Philippines and United States are bound by a 1951 treaty that calls on each side to help the other in times of war.

US special forces advisers have trained and equipped their Philippine counterparts against Abu Sayyaf, a small gang of militants with links to Al Qaeda and blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.