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Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has vowed to stamp out the Philippines' image as the world's kidnapping capital after a rash of abductions threatens to derail her supporters in upcoming national polls.

At least three senior defence officials have opted for early retirement from the service for subsequent appointment to key government positions.

Two of the four Chinese nationals held by a kidnap-for-ransom group in Maguindanao, southern Philippines were killed by their abductors yesterday while another one escaped following a skirmish with troops in the area.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has announced a revamp of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following recent investigations implicating top PNP officials of having been involved in the activities of crime syndicates.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva yesterday said he is willing to step down from his post if the political leadership asks him to do so over alleged mistakes that allowed Moro guerrillas to escape into the jungles of southern Basilan with their hostages.