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Ground troops were set to launch amphibious operations once the kidnappers' lair has been located, announced President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has asked the military to rescue all 20 hostages taken from a resort in the western island of Palawan and crush the Abu Sayyaf.

The presidential palace expressed apprehensions over the motives of Malaysian politicians who have volunteered to negotiate with Abu Sayyaf rebels in southern Basilan for the release of dozens of hostages.