Two captured Abu Sayyaf leaders, Nadzimi Sabdullah also known as Commander Global, and Jimmy Theng, have admitted their group received support from Osama bin Laden.

Another Abu Sayyaf leader, Ghalib Andang also known as Commander Robot, had earlier admitted his group had benefited from Bin Laden funding.

Andang said the funds were sent through several conduits but gave no more details.

Army spokesman Lt Col Jose Mabanta, said the military is determining the extent of material and financial assistance the group received.

"We are certain that communication and correspondence exists between the Abu Sayyaf and the Bin Laden group, but we are uncertain as to the extent of financial and material support," said Mabanta.

"Some of the legitimate business interests of the Abu Sayyaf have already been identified. We are watching them," said Armed Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan.

A military intelligence report has listed at least five Muslim non-government organisations as being among the groups believed to be funding not only the Abu Sayyaf but also the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which is currently engaged in peace talks with the government.

They were identified as Islamic Wisdom Worldwide Muslim Inc., World Alliance of Muslim Youth, Association of Islamic Development, United Overseas Bangsamoro, and the Daroul Hijar Foundation.

As for the NGOs, we have no solid evidence that they were used as conduits for funding terrorism, or for the purchase of firearms, said Adan.

The Muslim-based NGOs were established to build schools, mosques and extend livelihood projects for Muslim communities.

"We are doing this investigation in the spirit of cooperation with the United States. This is part of our contribution to the international campaign against terrorism," said National Security Adviser, Roilo Golez.

The Unied States earlier called on other countries to go after the assets of international terrorists, prompting the Philippines government to go after existing network structures believed to be fronts of Osma bin Laden.

Bin Laden is widely believed to be the mastermind in the destruction of the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. which left more than 6,000 killed on September 11.

Our Manila Bureau Chief reports: The Abu Sayyaf was placed on a watch list but the Philippines government has no law to allow it to freeze or confiscate alleged ill-gotten wealth believed to have come from international terrorists and kidnap for ransom activities in southern Philippines.

"We cannot freeze now. We still have the secrecy of bank deposits. Unless there is a court order, unless there is a case filed in court, only then can we garnish the Abu Sayyaf assets," said Justice Undersecretary, Jose Calida.

"We can freeze their deposits or accounts for 10 days to enable the anti-money laundering task force or council to file the case in court. And then, we can also ask the court to issue writs of garnishment," Calida pointed out.

When asked if the government has already identified the suspected assets of the Abu Sayyaf, Calida said: "I knew about their acquisition of an estimated $4 million from the ransom they got from their hostages last year."

The government is waiting for the houses of Congress to pass the anti-money laundering bill, before the September 30 deadline set by the international community.