Security forces intensified a crackdown on members of the Abu Sayyaf and their sympathisers, said a senior official, who reaffirmed the government is intent on rescuing 21 hostages and arresting the kidnappers.

"We have a long list. The order of battle is long," said military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan, adding that more than 130 were arrested earlier. Adan said he is confident that Abu Sayyaf rebels would soon be neutralised as local officials have offered their cooperation.

Residents were checked for weapons. Soldiers and policemen continued setting up several check points in Zamboanga City, Basilan and Sulu, areas covered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's recent declaration of the state of lawlessness which allowed arrests without court orders.

Two of the arrested were Nurham Bacahim, 27 and Alih Abubakar, 26, who were nabbed during a raid on a residential compound in Teruan Village on Friday. Policemen recovered more than $320 from Bacahim. The police seized a cellular phone from Abubakar, which showed a text message allegedly from Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani. Its contents were not released to the media.

Bacahim was taken to hospital and is under close guard. Each of the two carried $3,000 as reward for their arrest. Both denied being Abu Sayyaf rebels, saying: "We are traders."

Sources said the two reportedly tried to flee to Zamboanga port city from the Basilan island since the start of the massive military operation. Most of those arrested were on the list of wanted persons and carrying rewards on their head, said Mindanao Police Task Force head Damming Unga.

Some of those arrested were police officers in Basilan and Sulu, a sign that the Abu Sayyaf has succeeded in infiltrating the security forces, said regional military spokesman, Col Danilo Servando. The arrested policemen were identified as SPO2 Tutuh Sahisa, 48, assigned in Sulu and SPO1 John Gupin of Basilan province.

Another major arrest occurred when government soldiers stumbled upon an abandoned rebel camp in the village of Tiis Kabatuan in Talipao town yesterday. All the suspects were held pending the results of a preliminary investigation.

"The government prosecutors are reviewing evidence against the suspected rebels and conspirators so that criminal charges can be filed," said Maj. Alberto Gepilano, of the Task Force Comet, in-charge of pursuing the Abu Sayyaf.

Top government officials went to Basilan to personally oversee the inquest of about 100 suspected Abu Sayyaf members and sympathisers. Government officials who are supporting the Abu Sayyaf will be arrested and charged like members of the bandit group, announced National Bureau of Investigation Reynaldo Wycoco.

"We receive information that some government officials both at the local and provincial level are providing material and moral support to the bandits and the terrorists. This is a big offence," Wycoco said.