MANILA, Philippines — Officials say a U.S. Navy hospital ship will soon visit the eastern and southern Philippines on a humanitarian mission.

They say the mission will include areas where Muslim separatist rebels are active.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson says the USNS Mercy will make stops in Samar, southeast of Manila, and the main southern island of Mindanao at the invitation of the Philippine government.

Muslim regional Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan says the ship's staff will conduct hundreds of surgeries — about half to repair cleft palates — and rehabilitate school buildings.

Since 2002, U.S. troops have been training Philippine soldiers in counterterrorism while conducting humanitarian missions in areas regarded as breeding grounds for Islamic militants.