The Abu Sayyaf have said they will survive the all-out war declared by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because she is just a woman. Spokesman Abu Sabaya said: "We've survived (Fidel) Ramos and (Joseph) Estrada. She is just a woman."

Sabaya was speaking in Spanish and Filipino during an interview in Zamboanga. Sabaya said his group are not bandits, adding it has an ulterior motive in their kidnapping of 20 tourists and hotel staffers in Dos Palmas in Palawan, southwestern Philippines on May 27, and 10 fishermen in Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi on May 28.

"Money is not our first consideration, but since they ignored us, it (kidnapping) is our last option," said Sabaya when asked to comment on Arroyo's all out war policy against their group, and her refusal to negotiate with them.

Reacting to the $4 million bounty on the heads of various Abu Sayyaf leaders, Sabaya said, "This government is a spendthrift. We cause it billions of pesos in damage, and it offers just millions of pesos in bounty.

"They (government) think that they can solve the problem by shooting us, they think we will surrender, we are prepared to die rather than surrender, remember that," Sabaya warned.

Sabaya claimed his group is very eager to meet with U.S. forces, following reports that the U.S. will be supporting the joint Philippines Armed Forces and Philippine National Police operation to rescue the 20 hostages.

"We are excited to face the U.S. forces. Tell them (military) to bring them (U.S. forces) on. They (Americans) can reinforce their (Philippine Armed Forces) troops if they like. They think we are afraid of them?

"We'll help the Philippine government make martyrs out of these hostages. Maybe, after our (Abu Sayyaf) meeting, we'll start the execution," Sabaya added.