Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson has asked for another safe conduct pass for a Muslim intermediary who will facilitate the surrender of Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, also known as Commander Robot. The intermediary is a famous Muslim professor with a doctorate, said Singson, but did not give more details.

"We are not asking for amnesty for Andang. We will make sure Andang is provided with legal assistance and then we will let justice take its course," said Singson in an interview. "Andang said he was willing to return to the fold of the law, but he did not like to describe it as a surrender," said Singson, adding that Andang wanted military security because he would make important revelations in court. Singson, however, did not give more details.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said Andang must face trial for his crimes committed in connection with the hostage taking of 40 people in Malaysia and in Jolo from April to August last year.

The safe conduct pass to be issued to Andang will enable him to reach an Army base in Jolo and turn himself over to military authorities, said Adan. The Southern Command is not involved in any negotiation for his surrender, Adan added.

Meanwhile, the military is preparing for a major rescue operation, said Adan, but gave an assurance that all 26 captives of the Abu Sayyaf will be rescued alive. "There's a strong chance of recovering the hostages alive. They (bandits) have limited mobility in Basilan. We don't expect this operation to be prolonged in recovering the hostages," Adan said. He refused to say when the military would start the rescue operation.

The military has around eight battalions scouring Basilan with operations focused in the central part of the island. There has been no fresh sightings of the Abu Sayyaf leaders and their hostages. "We believe that the bandits together with their captives have gone to Tipo-tipo or at the Sampinit Complex (in Sumisip town). It's a big mountainous range and that's where the search continues," Adan said.

The remaining hostages include six from the original 20 who were seized in Palawan, southwestern Philippines on May 27, four in Lamitan, Basilan on June 2, and 15 who were taken in Lantawan, Basilan on June 11. Military operations should be intensified amid talks of ransom being reportedly paid by relatives of the hostage victims, Adan said.

"We believe that if we stop military operations here, these rebels will be dictating the terms and the hostages will be subjected to more abuse. It's better to keep up the pressure. "We could not abandon the use of military force and just give way to talking because it would be very risky for the hostages."

Meanwhile, the military was defended over reports that top ranking officials benefited from families who gave ransom for the release of their respective family members. Noting the reports merely serve as insults to soldiers risking their lives in operations, Adan said, "It is a fabricated lie and it is insulting to our brave soldiers who are fighting in Basilan, Jolo and somewhere in Mindanao. We do not play with lives of our men or gamble with them."