Confusion over Philippines hostages

The rebels want an army offensive called off

A deadline set by Muslim rebels in the Philippines has passed without word from the guerrillas about whether they have carried out their threat to kill three American hostages.

The Abu Sayyaf has threatened to behead the hostages if their demands are not met, but the government has insisted it will not negotiate with the rebels.

The Americans were abducted on 27 May

The deadline was originally said to expire on Sunday at 0800 GMT, but there now appears to be confusion about the date.

National Security advisor Roilo Golez told Reuters news agency that the ultimatum would not expire until Monday, but he has been contradicted by other officials.

No concessions

An Abu Sayyaf spokesman called a local radio at around 0830 GMT on Thursday to set a 72 hour deadline for Manila to comply with their demands.

The rebels want a prominent Malaysian to be brought in to mediate in the hostage crisis, and for the army to call off the intensive search for the kidnappers and their captives on the southern island of Basilan.

We should continue to be firm and give them no quarter

Senator Ramon Magsaysay

President Gloria Arroyo's government has rejected both demands, while appointing an intermediary to secure the unconditional release of the hostages.

"We have an open line of communications with them, but when it comes to conditions, we cannot accept any conditions," said Mr Golez.

For its part, Abu Sayyaf has given no indication that it is willing to back down from its position.

Abducted

The rebels have said they will behead two Christian missionaries - Martin Burnham, 41, and his wife Gracia, 42, both residing in the Philippines - and Californian Guillermo Sobrero.

Along with 17 Filipinos, the three Americans were abducted from a resort off the western island of Palawan on 27 May and taken to the southern island of Basilan.

Nine hostages escaped, two were killed and the Abu Sayyaf seized four more captives from a hospital they occupied.

The government has demanded the unconditional release of the hostages and the surrender of the kidnappers.

No let-up

President Gloria Arroyo has been warned against giving in to the rebels who say they are fighting for an independent Islamic state.

"Any softening is a loss," said Senator Ramon Magsaysay, chairman of the senate's defence and national security committee.

"We should continue to be firm and give them no quarter," he said.

The president has said the armed offensive against the rebels in Basilan will continue.

The US Government has sent an FBI team to provide technical advice.

Military officials say the only reason the Abu Sayyaf is keen to negotiate is because they are under pressure from pursuing troops.

But the BBC Manila correspondent, John McLean, says the group has shown in the past that they are quite prepared to carry out threats to behead hostages.