A Philippine general on Wednesday urged families of 21 Americans and Filipinos held by Muslim gunmen not to pay ransom to secure their release, saying the money would be used to buy more arms.
Families of other Filipino captives are believed to have worked out deals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, under the noses of 5,000 soldiers sent to rescue 39 people kidnapped since May 27.
Thirteen have been freed so far while four others were killed by their captors on the southern island of Basilan.
The military also believe Californian Guillermo Sobero, one of three US hostages, is dead, although his body has not been recovered.
Armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Edilberto Adan admitted that while the government has a strict "no ransom" policy, the families were believed to have authorized unofficial emissaries to pay off the kidnappers.
He said the Abu Sayyaf was using proceeds to buy more firearms and hire other armed groups in Basilan to serve as a "blocking force" against pursuing troops.
"The blocking force prevented our troops from engaging the Abu Sayyaf and they were paid 500,000 pesos (9,433 dollars) for that," Adan told reporters -- MANILA (AFP)
