A regional Army commander has denied reports that a U.S. missionary couple held by the Abu Sayyaf have been freed in Basilan. "There is no truth to this report," said Major General Glicerio Sua, in-charge of the military rescue efforts.

He was reacting to reports published in Manila newspapers, which quoted security sources. "We have nothing to hide and the military is transparent. There is no reason to hide the news if the US hostages were really freed or rescued. Our troops are still up there in the mountains combing every inch of the thick jungle searching for the hostages," Maj. Gen. Sua said .

The Abu Sayyaf has demanded $1 million for each of the U.S. hostages and $2,000 for the Filipino nurse Deborah Yap as ransom for their release. Maj. Gen. Sua has rejected ransom demands and the military threatened to arrest negotiators who pay money.

Martin and Gracia Burnham of the New Tribes Mission are being held captive in Basilan, Gen. Sua confirmed, but did not explain why the military and police have not arrested Abu Sayyaf leaders. Reports said the hostages were freed on Saturday and are in military custody for debriefing at an unknown location in Zamboanga City.

Our Manila Bureau Chief adds: Gracia Burnham in a letter to her sister Mary Jones, talked about the group's ransom demand. "We feel that we really need to get out of here. The (Abu Sayyaf) group wants you to know that we will not be released without some consequences.

Their losses have been great and they will never just give us up. They are willing to take a ransom and they need to arm themselves for the fight," said Gracia in a letter dated January 26.

Looking forward to his freedom, husband Martin also wrote to his younger son Zachariah, saying: "I just want to be with you. I was away too much before this happened. I am praying that God gives us some more good times together."

They were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary when abducted together with 18 other holiday-makers, at Dos Palmas in the central Philippines province of Palawan last April.

Some 81 per cent of 710 respondents from 39 provinces said they wanted the Abu Sayyaf problem to end, according to a survey conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) betw-een January 30 and February 1.

Some 19 per cent of the respondents disapproved of the joint military exercises saying they infringe on Philippines' sovereignty, could kill innocent civilians, destroy the morale of Filipino soldiers and pave the way for the return of U.S. bases.

The majority supported the controversial U.S.-Philippine joint exercises in Basilan where the Abu Sayyaf is based. They approved of U.S. troops taking part in the effort to crush the Abu Sayyaf, the PIA said.

Respondents said Filipino soldiers would gain from training with Americans, adding they need the equipment to face threats to internal security.