The presidential palace yesterday censured magistrates and government prosecutors who reportedly inhibit or excuse themselves from trying cases involving the extremist Abu Sayyaf, for fear of their lives even as the visiting U.S. State Department official offered assurances American troops will not undertake any covert operation to rescue an American missionary couple held by the rebels.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's spokesman, Rigoberto Tiglao, said judges and government prosecutors have sworn to perform their duty without regard to circumstances or parties involved.

"I understand the situation in Basilan. But judges who inhibit themselves because of fear for their lives cannot be allowed under our justice system," said Tiglao.

He said Arroyo has already ordered Justice Secretary Hernando Perez to verify the reported decision of some government prosecutors to reject handling criminal cases against the Abu Sayyaf.

Police sources have claimed that prosecutors have refused to take on the murder case filed by Mona Mayang, the wife of Solomon Mayang and the mother of Jonathan Mayang, who were among those beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf in 1994.

The case was filed against Abdurajak Janjalani, leader of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, after a former Abu Sayyaf hostage, Alfredo Penaflor, admitted that he was forced at gunpoint to behead Solomon.

Penaflor surfaced after the government showed video clips allegedly obtained from the rebels, showing the manner of execution of two of their captives, a Marines sergeant and a corporal. The film was taken by the extremists themselves in 1995.

Tiglao said that if proven, the erring prosecutors could be reprimanded for rejecting the Mayangs' case. Penaflor, a 28-year-old surveyor, also implicated another captive, Junie Abines, who allegedly took part in the December 1994 executions in Basilan's Maluso town.

"Upon arriving in Maluso, their blindfolds were removed while he and Abines were ordered by the Abu Sayyaf, allegedly at gunpoint, to behead the two civilians," police said Superintendent Edgardo Bolabola of Maluso in a report.

Penaflor and Abines, together with three other land surveyors of the Orbecido Surveying Office, were seized by Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Ustadz Abdurajak Janjalani on November 19, 1994 in Sumisip, Basilan. They were freed in March 1995.