Philippine troops were closing on suspected Abu Sayyaf lairs, the army said Tuesday, as Manila imposed a news blackout on its response to a rebel demand to call off the military and send new negotiators in exchange for two hostages.
The military indicated it was unlikely there would be a retreat from President Gloria Arroyo's consistent demand to wipe out the Muslim guerrillas holding up to 26 American and Filipino hostages in the jungles of southern Basilan island.
"They must be exterminated," armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Edilberto Adan said.
At a post-cabinet press conference Arroyo refused to discuss the government response to the Abu Sayyaf demand.
"I'm not replying through the media," she said to repeated questioning. "Negotiations cannot be done through the media."
But as the economy suffered with the peso touching a five-month low, the president warned: "We know where the Abu Sayyaf are hiding ... we should not allow mere bandits to paralyse us."
Signals of a looming showdown emerged Monday when Arroyo, on a tour of the battle zone, said Abu Sayyaf locations had been pinpointed, and officials emerged from a briefing with the president saying "a clash is imminent." -- ISABELA, Philippines (AFP)
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