The military claims it has destroyed the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines, even if there has been no arrest of a major Abu Sayyaf leader yet.

This year, the military's operations against the group in Mindanao's Basilan, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi provinces resulted in the killing of 103 Abu Sayyaf members, the wounding of 38 and the capture of 16 others, said a defence department report.

But the military has yet to capture Abu Sayyaf leader Khadafy Janjalani, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya, and heads such as Ghalib Andang and Mujib Susukan.

Hector Janjalani, the brother of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadafy Janjalani and Nabsmi Saabdula, also known as Commander Global, are the highest-ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders captured by the military.

The other captured Abu Sayyaf men were identified as Anwar Abdul Hamid, Arena Blanco Kaing Said, Mohammad Faizal Ijajili Dompal, alias Faizal Abbas and Abdulajib Ngayah.

"For every high-powered firearm lost by the government during operations against the Abu Sayyaf, it has managed to recover 25 from the group," the report stated.

Military operations were conducted against the group in various parts of Basilan, including the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and far flung areas of Zamboanga City since May 27, when the group abducted 20 tourists, three of them Americans, from Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan, south-western Philippines.

About 106 Abu Sayyaf members surrendered from May 27 to November 15, said the report. However, observers said many of those who surrendered were civilians.

Seven Abu Sayyaf hostages were released from the group's hideout recently, but the military said it was an apparent tactical move on the part of the bandits.

"The Abu Sayyaf members wanted to increase their mobility due to intense pressure from government forces," the report said.

Still with the group are missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham and Deborah Yap, a staff member of the Jose Torres Memorial Hospital in Lamitan, Basilan.

Hostage Roland Ullah, who was abducted with 20 other foreign tourists in Malaysia last April, has not yet been released. Intelligence sources said Ullah was the group's mole and has become an Abu Sayyaf leader in Jolo.

Our Zamboanga Correspondent adds: Southern Command chief, Lt Gen Roy Cimatu, said Abu Sayyaf members should surrender instead of sending out feelers and at the same time evading military pursuit.

After all, the release of at least seven hostages was a sign that the Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted to surrender, said Cimatu, adding that the government should take advantage of this hint.

At the same time, government troops will not stop until the remaining hostages are free, he said. Military operations are expected to continue even during the holy month of Ramadan.