The Abu Sayyaf Group has called for the payment of $19,607 (P1m) for the safe release of Deborah Yap, a Filipina nurse, her relatives said in a radio interview.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya made his demand in a letter sent to Yap's family.

Yap was one of the five hospital personnel of the Jose Ma. Torres Memorial Hospital in Lamitan, Basilan, who was taken as a human shield by the Abu Sayaf leaders who brought their hostages from Palawan to Mindanao on June 2.

President Gloria Arroyo assured John Negroponte, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, that American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham would be "unconditionally released" soon.

Filipina nurse Deborah Yap is still in the custody of the Abu Sayyaf Group in the hinterlands of Basilan, southern Philippines.

Arroyo also boasted about the recent release of seven hostages, identified as Mariafe Rosadena, Angie Montealegre, nurse Shiela Tabunyag and four farmers, Mohd Abdul Patta, Marlon Dingalan, Noel Abellon and Romeo Fernando, who were abducted from a farm in Lantawan, Basilan on June 11.

The Abu Sayyaf Group used the farmers as forced labour while in captivity.

The seven hostages were presented to acting President Teofisto Guingona and Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva in Manila.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said the remaining hostages "will be released before Christmas".

Al Jacinto adds: A Malaysian senator and a Muslim government official from Mindanao, southern Philippines negotiated for the release of the seven Abu Sayyaf hostages last Wednesday and Thursday, said recently freed hostage Rosadeño.

Malaysian lawmaker Sairin Karno and Samsamin Ampatuan, head of the Office of the Muslim Affairs helped the Philippine government by negotiating for the release of the hostages, said Rosadena.

"Our release was mainly due to Malaysian (ex-)senator Sairin Karno and Samsamin Ampatuan (the head of the Philippines' Office of Muslim Affairs) who convinced (militant leader) Abu Sabaya to free us," Rosadena told Radio Mindanao Network (RMN).

Karno negotiated with the Abu Sayyaf Group earlier for the release of the more than 40 mostly foreign hostages who were abducted in Malaysia and Jolo between April and August last year.

Rosadeno was the girlfriend of American hostage Guillermo Sobero who was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf last June 12.

She did not give other details about their release. She could not explain why three other hostaes remained with the Abu Sayyaf Group despite the high-level negotiations.

After more than five months in captivity, "the hostages have become friends with the Abu Sayyaf Group, they came to understand the group's cause," said Southern Command Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, adding they all manifested signs of the so-called Stockholm syndrome.

"We will continue to pressure the Abu Sayyaf, even during the month of Ramadan. The only option of the Abu Sayyaf now is to free the remaining hostages and then surrender peacefully and without conditions," said Cimatu.