Philippine army hunts rebels

Philippine troops raided the rebels' hideout

The Philippine army says it is confident it will crush the Abu Sayyaf rebel movement after a jungle shoot-out with the group in which two hostages died.

Reinforcements are being sent to hunt down about 40 rebels on the run after troops raided the guerrillas' base in an attempt to free the captives, Philippine military Chief of Staff General Roy Cimatu said.

In the past, the military always had to hold their fire because of the hostages. Now, they can really do a hot pursuit

President Arroyo

National Security Advisor Roilo Golez told a local radio station that President Gloria Arroyo had given clear orders and that the military were now carrying out search and destroy operations against Abu Sayyaf.

The two who died in the rescue attempt were American missionary Martin Burnham and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap, while Mr Burnham's wife, Gracia, 43, was shot in the leg but evacuated to safety.

The Americans played a key role in planning the assault, but no US troops were involved in the fighting, according to Philippine Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes said.

US President George W Bush said Philippine President Arroyo had assured him the kidnappers would be held accountable and brought to justice.

Hunt for rebels

General Cimatu said he would send extra troops to hunt down the remaining rebels who fled into the jungle following the two-hour gun battle.

Martin Burnham was killed in the shoot-out

"We're now in hot pursuit of the rest of the group," he said.

About 600 soldiers, backed by naval ships and aircraft, are searching for the rebels - including senior commanders - across mountainous terrain.

The general said the guerrillas no longer had any hostages and that "we are on our way to dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism exemplified by this Abu Sayyaf group".

The US is supporting the search for the rebels with unmanned spy planes and other surveillance technology.

US role

The Pentagon said the rescue mission was run entirely by the Philippine military, but Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes said he could not "overemphasise the importance of the American contribution".

US special forces have been training Philippine soldiers

About 1,000 US special forces have been training the Philippine army in counter-terrorism techniques since February.

The Abu Sayyaf once had links to Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, widely blamed for the 11 September attacks on the United States, and is proscribed by the US as a terrorist organisation.

The Burnhams were among a group of 20 people kidnapped by the rebels on 27 May 2001

Some of the captives were beheaded, some escaped and others were released.

Hostage's grief

A Filipino soldier who took part in the rescue operation has spoken of the heartrending moment he discovered the Burnhams after the fire fight.

Army Scout Ranger Rodelio Tuazon said he found Mrs Burnham crying silently next to her husband's body.

"She knew he was dead," he said from his hospital bed.

Mr Burnham's body has been flown to a US air base on the Japanese island of Okinawa where a post-mortem will be performed, while Mrs Burnham is receiving hospital treatment in the Philippines.

It is not yet known when she will return to the US.