A much wanted Abu Sayyaf leader has once again sent out feelers for surrender to members of the Basilan Crisis Management Committee.

Cris Puno, a spokesman for the committee, said that Abu Sabaya – whose real name is Aldam Tilao – his group and their hostages were all starving, and the need to be constantly on the move, eluding the military, was taking its toll.

The alleged 'feelers' for surrender were sent last week, said Puno, but did not elaborate. He did, however, say that this was not new and similar approaches had been made in the past.

"Just a month ago, Sabaya did the same thing, but nothing came of it," said Lt. Col. Jose Mabanta Jr., Army spokesman.

But if the 'feelers' were to be believed, he said, Sabaya's conditions and demands should not be honoured because he faces several criminal cases. Sabaya must be detained and made to answer for his crimes, Mabanta stated.

Adds Alex Young in Basilan: Meanwhile, four members of the Abu Sayyaf left their jungle hideout, laid down their arms, and surrendered to the authorities in Basilan. The members, all young boys, were aged between 12 and 13 years.

They claimed that Abu Sabaya allowed them to return to their families two weeks ago to spare them from hunger and the harsh life in the mountain hideout, said Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) spokes-person Capt. Noel Detoyato.

"It took them two days to finally get down from the mountain. They walked for almost a day, then they took a boat and tricycle before they finally got home," said Detoyato.

When the boys reached their homes, they were turned over by relatives to a nearby military detachment. The youngsters were later handed over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper care, said Detoyato.

Government officials were amused when the children requested that they be taken to Jollibee, a hamburger outlet, said Detoyato, adding the social welfare office promised to "give them back their childhood".

The boys managed to survive in the jungle by eating kamanting, a type of root crop. The boys also disclosed that Khadafy Janjalani was no longer with the main Abu Sayyaf group, said Detoyato. Janjalani was last seen with the group last November.

The hostages, American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap are still in Basilan, contrary to rumours that they were brought out of the country, to nearby Malaysia and Indonesia where negotiations are taking place for their release, said Detoyato.

"The boys saw them (hostages) before they left Maluso. They are still alive," said Detoyato.

The military succeeded in getting vital information from the children who admitted to being part of the main group led by Sabaya, Detoyato said. He did not give further details.