February 14, 2002, The Philippine Star, Military said avoiding alleged intent of Abu Sayyaf to surrender,

February 14, 2002, The Philippine Star, Military said avoiding alleged intent of Abu Sayyaf to surrender,

The military reportedly shunned the alleged intent of several Abu Sayyaf members to surrender and turn over their remaining hostages, American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap.

The armed forces warned that the move by the group of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) commander Isnilon Hapilon may be a strategy for military operations against them to stop.

Military officials also questioned the sincerity of the bandits to yield citing the conditions that Hapilon's group intend to present the government in exchange for their abdication.

The intent to surrender was purportedly contained in Hapilon's letter to Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar.