Philippines army chief Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos has ordered troops to intensify efforts to free kidnapped U.S. missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap who were held for seven months in the hinterlands of Basilan, southern Philippines.

Delos Santos flew to Basilan by chopper from Zamboanga City and met closed door with senior army officials.

Later, he told troops inside a military base in Isabela City to double efforts to rescue the Abu Sayyaf hostages.

"I know that it is really hard to rescue the hostages in the jungle, but we assure you that troops have been working round-the-clock to track down the terrorists and their captives," Delos Santos said, adding, "our commanders will just surprise you. We are looking forward for the eventual rescue of the hostages.

In a joint press conference with Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, de los Santos said the military has been working "round-the-clock" to rescue the hostages.

He warned private negotiators who are trying to arrange ransom payment to the rebels in exchange for the hostages' release that they would be arrested.

But he did not identify any groups, although military intelligence reports have linked a former Malaysian senator Sairin Karno and trader Yusuf Handam as allegedly negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf.

"Let me warn civilians and other groups trying to arrange ransom payment to the Abu Sayyaf. We will not tolerate this and President Arroyo has ordered a strict no-ransom policy and we are abiding this instruction," de los Santos said.

"We will make it sure that no ransom money will ever reach the Abu Sayyaf. The military will prevent this from happening," said de los Santos.

Hundreds of weapons and trucks given by the U.S. last week to the Philippine army are on its way here to help soldiers fight the Abu Sayyaf.

Army spokesman Col. Jose Mabanta said the weapons were mostly M203 grenade launchers, 81mm mortars, sniper rifles and M715 trucks that were handed over by the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (Jusmag).

"These weapons will be used by troops in Basilan to fight the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group," Mabanta said.

Cimatu said security forces have tightened security in the largely Muslim province of Basilan to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from spiriting out the hostages. There were persistent rumours that the kidnappers would free the foreigners in Malaysia.

"We have counter-measures to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from leaving Basilan," Cimatu said.

Adds Our Manila Bureau Chief: Meanwhile, several sectors in Metro Manila responded positively to the suggestion of U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt that he will ask President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to call in U.S. troops to rescue the hostages of the Abu Sayyaf group.

If the current military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf would not work, the Philippine government would adopt a new strategy that would involve "both the military and something else that would win their hearts and minds (of the residents in the affected areas), said presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao.

Sources said there would be a new approach in allowing direct U.S. assistance in attacking the Abu Sayyaf hideout.

Sixty-nine per cent of Filipinos are worried and 20 per cent are somewhat worried about a U.S.-led major anti-terrorist attack in the country, said the Social Weather Station (SWS) in a survey conducted from November 3 to 21.

"I have spoken to the parents (of Martin Burnham) and they think something needs to happen or they are afraid they will perish. It is a matter of timing now.

They have encouraged me to go and try to get President Arroyo to invite our troops in," Tiahrt was reported as saying, adding his plan had the blessing of Paul and Oreta Burnham.