Arroyo says no compromise with Abu Sayyaf

Arroyo made a flying visit to Basilan on Monday, vowing to maintain all military operations against the Abu Sayyaf until it releases its hostages

By staff and wires reports

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo says military operations against Abu Sayyaf kidnappers will continue until all of the hostages are released.

In a visit to the southern island province of Basilan, Arroyo maintained her tough stance against the Muslim extremist kidnappers, even as military officials said they believe U.S. hostage Guillermo Sobero has been killed.

Brigadier General Edilberto Adan told a news conference in Manila the belief was based in part on information provided by Francis Ganzon, one of three hostages released by the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.

AUDIO CNN's Kathy Quiano says the Philippine military believes U.S. hostage Guillermo Sobero may be dead 1.28MB / 2 min 01 seconds AIFF or WAV sound   AUDIO CNN's Kathy Quiano reports on President Arroyo's visit to Basilan 1.52MB / 2 min 24 secs AIFF or WAV sound   IN-DEPTH Abu Sayyaf: Militants in the Philippines Background Interview script Incident map Message board    COUNTRY PROFILE At a glance: Philippines Provided by CountryWatch.com    CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

The Abu Sayyaf has taken hostages during raids, including one on May 27 at luxury resort in the western Philippine province of Palawan where three Americans and Filippinos were captured.

An Abu Sayyaf leader, Abu Sabaya, claimed he beheaded 40-year-old Sobero as a "present" to the country on its 103rd anniversary of independence last week.

Little hope for Sobero

"We have strong reasons to believe the statement of Mr. Ganzon that Guillermo Sobero is dead," Adan said in Manila.

"He appeared to have died on the night of June 11 after he was hogtied and separated from the rest of the hostages.

"Various groups have been asked to help locate the body of Sobero.

We have no proof as to the exact cause of death. The beheading is a statement of Sabaya," Adan said.

In a radio interview on Saturday one of released hostages, Ganzon spoke about the beheading but said he didn't see it.

A six-day search by the military has found no trace of Sobero's body.

President visit Basilan

Arroyo visited Basilan Island where the separatist kidnappers still hold 23 Filipinos and American Christian missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham.

During her two-hour visit she spoke to more than a thousand residents of the Abu Sayyaf stronghold province 900 km (560 miles) south of Manila.

Military personnel check a bus on Basilan, where the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers have been hiding out

Arroyo promised them their security and economic concerns would be addressed.

The moral boosting trip also took in a visit to the local hospital where she meet soliders injured during fighting with the Abu Sayyaf.

Arroyo gave out medical aid to the provincial hospital and awarded scholarship funds to the children of victims caught in skirmishes between Abu Sayyaf guerrillas and military troops.

No Compromise

At a press conference in Zamboanga the President said the government could not compromise as "moving back an inch" would only cause more danger.

Arroyo has maintained the government will not pay ransom and would only negotiate with the separatists if the hostages were released unconditionally.

Arroyo's trip comes two days after the release of the three Filipino hostages.

Lawyer Francis Ganzon was freed along with Kimberly Jao, 13, and Muslim cleric Mohaimin Sahi.