President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is 'seriously considering' the surrender feeler of Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, a senior official said. But he discounted giving amnesty to the hostage taker who became notorious for the abduction of more than 42 mostly foreign victims in Malaysia, and in Jolo between April and August last year.

"We are taking this seriously. We cannot just ignore those feelers. Robot (Andang's other name), Radulan Sajirun (Abu Sayyaf leader) and 15 subordinates may surrender," said Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao, adding that former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson told the president a week ago about this plan.

Andang and Sajirun have a $100,000 (P5m) reward on their head, and 15 other followers have $ 20,000 (P1m).

"Whoever arranges the ceremony (surrender of the Abu Sayyaf leaders) will receive the bounty," said Tiglao, adding that Singson and those who assisted him will get the $52,000 (P26m) reward money from the government.

"That would be the logical move," explained Tiglao when asked if the government will use Sajirun and Andang to pursue Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya and Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani.

Sabaya and Janjalani were responsible for the kidnapping of three Americans, including 17 other Filipinos in Palawan, southwestern Philippines on May 27, four others in Lamitan, Basilan, on June 2, and 15 more in Lantawan, Basilan on June 11.

Sources said the Andang and Sabaya camps have a rift which deepened when the former wanted to surrender because he wanted a changed life. "They (Robot and Sajirun) told me if the treatment of the government is good, Sabaya will follow," said Singson.

"They (Robot and Sajirun) sent a Muslim professor to talk to me last week. I talked with him (Andang) on (Thursday) night. They wanted protection and fair trial," said Singson.

This negotiation has been going on since January. Robot has nothing to do with the kidnapping of the 28 hostages in Palawan, in Lamitan, and Lantawan, said Singson.

"The emissary of Robot went back to the mountain yesterday. We gave a satellite phone to the professor so he can contact us and help us regarding guidelines on the proposed surrender. I will go to Sulu soon. There will be no amnesty. Their only condition is that they will be given lawyers and a day in court."