Two suspected Philippine rebels arrested

Commander Global: A price of $100,000 on his head

Police in the Philippines have arrested two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebel group which is holding about 20 hostages in the south-west of the country.

The men were caught after police - acting on a tip off - raided a hide-out on the southern island of Basilan.

The army has not managed to track down the hostages

Police say they are suspected of trying to get ransom payments from families of hostages and are being interrogated by police.

The arrests follow the capture on Sunday of high-ranking rebel Nadzmie Sabtulah, also known as Commander Global.

Although he is not part of the faction involved in the current hostage-taking, correspondents say Commander Global's arrest is the biggest single blow yet to Abu Sayyaf. A five million peso ($100,000) reward had been offered for his capture.

Senior Superintendent Damming Ungga, head of a special anti-crime task force, said the two new suspects, whom he refused to identify, were arrested late Tuesday in Zamboanga city, near Basilan. He said the two men tried to escape the raid but were overpowered.

The two are believed to have gone into the city to buy weapons and ammunition for their leaders in Basilan.

Couriers

The rebels seized some of the hostages on 27 April from Dos Palmas beach resort, off the south-western island of Palawan, and have taken more since. They have also killed four Filipino hostages and claim to have beheaded one American.

Two Filipino hostages were released last week

However, the body of the American, Guillermo Sobero, has not been found.

Two Filipino hostages were released last week, but the fate of two other American hostages is unknown.

Sources in the police said they believe the two suspects served as couriers for some of the ransom money demanded by the Abu Sayyaf for the freed hostages.

Meanwhile on Wednesday government troops clashed with about 30 Abu Sayyaf members in the town of Lantawan, police said. Two soldiers were wounded and sporadic clashes were continuing.

The Abu Sayyaf is fighting for an independent Muslim state, but the government dismisses them as criminals without any ideology.