The Armed Forces Southern Command chief has called for the arrest of any unofficial negotiators working for the payment of ransom money for the release of the remaining hostage of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan, southern Philippines.

Intelligence reports indicate some private groups are trying to bargain with the bandits through "back-channel" negotiations.

"We will apprehend negotiators, especially those who are trying to get in ransom money. We will arrest those unauthorised negotiators," Gen. Roy Gimatu said.

He stressed that the government's position was for any humanitarian group to negotiate "but not with money." The Abu Sayyaf bandits are allegedly demanding a $2 million ransom for them, according to Jose Guillo, one of the hostages rescued in October.

A captured bandit confessed about the attempt of a private negotiator to arrange the ransom payment for the release of the Burnhams, said Col. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., chief of Task Group Thunder in Basilan, in a report to Cimatu.

"The revelation came from our captive. He confessed that the group of Commander Hamsiraji Sali was there purposely to finalise their negotiations for the ransom of a private person," Cimatu said.

Cimatu declined to identify the private negotiator but revealed, "The Abu Sayyaf bandits are looking at a bigger amount. It's quite big. It's quite sizeable."

"If the ransom payment reaches the Abu Sayyaf, this will prolong the problem," said Esperon. The group of Commander Hamsiraji Sali, alias Jose Ramirez, was scheduled to meet the "negotiator" last week in Makiri village, Isabela City. However, the negotiations were aborted after soldiers clashed with Sali's group, killing 11 bandits.

"With us having encountered Hamsiraji, we just foiled another unauthorised negotiator who might unwittingly be strengthening the forces of the Abu Sayyaf in the future," Esperon said.