MANILA, Sept. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople Tuesday warned militant groups planning to disrupt the visit of US President George W. Bush that they will be dealt strongly by authorities.

　　Ople said mass demonstrations against Bush are to be expected, but maintained that "Such actions cannot and will not diminish" the significance of the visit.

　　"Preparations are being undertaken to ensure that such protest actions remain lawful and peaceful. There may be those who will probably hope to dramatize their cause by resorting to violent and unlawful acts. We of course will respond in a firm but lawful manner," Ople said.

　　Ople, chairman of the National Committee in charge of the state visit, made the statement amid mounting protests from different militant groups to disrupt Bush's visit.

　　"These protests cannot and will not diminish the significance of this visit. Those who oppose our strategic partnership with the US have achieved nothing so far except ventilate their frustration, as our relations with the US continues to grow strong and our cooperative efforts, particularly in the war against terror, have proven successful," he stressed.

　　Meanwhile, the Philippine military said around 1,000 soldiers from the elite Presidential Security Group are undergoing retraining for Bush's visit.

　　A 36-member advance party for the Bush visit arrived in Manila on Sunday from Washington, and military sources said the party has started meeting with their Filipino counterparts.

　　Bush is scheduled to make an eight-hour stopover here on Oct. 18 en route to Bangkok, Thailand, where he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting.

　　He will meet Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and is also expected to address the joint session of the Philippine Congress. Enditem